Located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Eight-Horned Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the god Hachiman Okami, revered as the patron deity of soldiers and travelers. The shrine's name, 'Hachimanto,' refers to the eight sacred horns of a mythical deer, said to have belonged to Hachiman himself. Visitors can explore the shrine's traditional architecture, including the wooden torii gate and the main hall with its striking vermilion roof.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Hachiman Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Hachiman, Okami
- Coordinates
- 35.4290138, 136.6802606
Visitor tip
To avoid long lines, consider visiting Eight-Horned Shrine early in the morning or later in the evening. The sun's golden light creates a beautiful atmosphere during these times.
Cultural notes
Eight-Horned Shrine is closely associated with the legend of Hachiman Okami's pilgrimage to the Japanese mainland from his birthplace on the island of Kikuyō. According to myth, Hachiman carried eight sacred horns on this journey, which are now enshrined at the shrine.
Historical note
The shrine was built in 757 by Emperor Shomu, who is also credited with establishing the current Shinto tradition in Japan.