20 Shrines in Fukui worth your time

Asuwa Shrine is an ancient shrine in Fukui City with a unique crest and a historic weeping cherry tree.

What it is

• An ancient Shikinaisha and former Prefectural Shrine.
• Dedicated to Emperor Keitai and other kami.
• Founded when Emperor Keitai enshrined the spirit of Omiyachi.
• Received deep reverence from the Asakura and Echizen Matsudaira clans.

What to see

• Shrine crest combines patterns of the sun, moon, and North Star.
• This crest is found in only three shrines nationwide.
• A 381-year-old weeping cherry tree.
• The weeping cherry tree is a Fukui City Natural Monument.
• A 14-meter-tall Takaomomiji tree on the main approach.

When to go

• Various festivals are hosted throughout the year.

Address

福井県福井市足羽1丁目8-25 Map

Official site

www.asuwajinja.jp

Read more about Asuwa Shrine

Okafuto Shrine is an ancient site for unique rituals and Noh play connections.

What it is

• Oldest shrine among 14 in the former Imadate District.
• Associated with the Noh play 'Hanakatami'.
• Main deities are Taketsunumi-no-mikoto, Kunisatsuchi-no-mikoto, and Ōnamuchi-no-mikoto.
• Rebuilt in 1902 after a fire.

What to see

• Ichino-torii gate.
• Haiden (worship hall).
• Mikoshiden (portable shrine hall).
• Honden (main sanctuary).

When to go

• Horai-shi ritual is held annually on February 11.
• Horai-shi ritual began about 1500 years ago.
• Ichimatsu festival is a currency exchange ritual.
• Tokunichi-mairi is a prayer for health and safety.

Address

福井県越前市粟田部町19-3 Map

Official site

www.jinja-fukui.jp

Read more about Okafuto Shrine

Heisenji Hakusan Shrine: a vast, ancient temple complex with historical gardens and important deities.

What it is

• Shrine in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Founded in 717 by Buddhist monk Taicho.
• Originally a Buddhist temple, Reiozan Heisenji.
• Became a branch temple of Enryaku-ji Temple in 1084.

What to see

• Main hall enshrines Izanami-no-Mikoto.
• Betsuzansha enshrines Amenoshihomimi-no-Mikoto.
• Onamuchisha enshrines Onamuchi-no-Mikoto.
• Vast 150,000 square meter site.
• Old Genjoin garden is a national scenic spot.
• Old approach road is one of Japan's 100 Best Roads.

When to go

• Main hall is opened once every 33 years.

Address

福井県勝山市平泉寺町平泉寺56-63 Map

Official site

heisenji.jp

Read more about Heisenji Hakusan Shrine

Jogu Shrine is a historic site in Tsuruga, known for its ancient bell and as a guardian of safe childbirth.

What it is

• Formerly an auxiliary shrine of Kehi Jingu.
• Known as a god of safe childbirth.
• Revered as a guardian of navigation and fishing.

What to see

• Main hall rebuilt in 1713.
• Main hall is a Fukui Prefecture tangible cultural property.
• Worship hall and middle gate are cultural properties.
• Korean bell is a designated National Treasure.
• Korean bell dates from the Unified Silla period.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on July 22nd.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Tsuruga Station.

Address

福井県敦賀市常宮13-16 Map

Read more about Jogu Shrine

Sansha Shrine is a historic site with unique stone Buddhas, worth visiting for its cultural significance.

What it is

• Originally Saketoke Shrine, renamed Sansha Shrine after Meiji Restoration.
• Dedicated to Oyamatsumi no Kami, Ninigi no Mikoto, and Hoori no Mikoto.
• Established as a prayer place in 1584 by Hasegawa Togoro Hidekazu.

What to see

• Chomei Jizo-do stands in front of the torii gate.
• Hundreds of stone Buddhas are enshrined in Chomei Jizo-do.
• Many stone Buddhas have era names from the Asakura clan period.

When to go

• Sagicho festival is held annually in January.
• A 12-meter-high Sagicho is set up for the festival.

Address

福井県福井市安原町16-39 [1] Map

Read more about Sansha Shrine

Hino Shrine is an ancient mountain worship site, protected by local lords, with unique traditional dance.

What it is

• Ancient shrine, mentioned in 910, for mountain worship.
• Formerly a Go-sha and Shikinaisha shrine.
• Protected by the Echizen Matsudaira family and Honbo Jin'ya.

What to see

• Inner shrine at the summit of Mount Hino.
• Shrine grounds are a route for Mount Hino climbing.

When to go

• See the Ancient Kagura, a municipal intangible folk cultural property.

Getting there

• Walk from Ojiho Station on the Hapi-Line Fukui Line.
• Via Hokuriku Expressway Takefu IC and Route 8.

Address

福井県越前市中平吹町茶端80-1 Map

Read more about Hino Shrine (Takefu City)

Senbei Shrine, founded in 980, is a cultural property dedicated to Sugawara Michizane.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 980.
• Dedicated to Sugawara Michizane.
• Designated tangible cultural property of Fukui Prefecture.

What to see

• Current shrine building relocated in 1960.
• Building originally built in 1811 as Gokoku-den.
• Architectural style is Gongen-zukuri.
• Main hall and worship hall are Irimoya-zukuri style.
• Worship hall has Chidori-hafu and Kara-hafu gables.
• Shrine grounds include Ebisu Shrine and Inari Shrine.

When to go

• Senbei-yaki event is held annually on November 20.

Address

福井県敦賀市栄新町1番6号 Map

Read more about Senbei Shrine

Visit Suwāzuki Shrine to see Fukui's oldest main hall and a unique Noh stage.

What it is

• Ancient Shinto shrine, mentioned in historical records.
• Origins date back to Emperor Buretsu's reign.
• Main hall is Fukui Prefecture's oldest shrine main hall.

What to see

• Main hall, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Worship hall, built in 1689, also a Noh stage.
• Mountain gate, a town cultural property.
• Noh mask 'Tenjin', a National Important Art Object.
• Sacred tree 'Inari no Osugi', a natural monument.

When to go

• Annual festival held for three days around June 10th.

Address

福井県今立郡池田町稲荷13-1 Map

Read more about Suwāzuki Shrine

Visit this ancient shrine to Japan's paper goddess, featuring unique architecture and natural monuments.

What it is

• Two shrines, Otaki and Okata, stand side-by-side.
• Otaki Shrine was founded in 719 by Taicho.
• Okata Shrine is dedicated to the goddess of washi paper.
• The main halls were built in 1843.

What to see

• Main halls of both shrines at the upper shrine.
• Lower shrine's shared main hall and worship hall.
• Complex layered roof with intricate carvings.
• Zenmai-zakura cherry tree, a natural monument.
• Great Sugi cedar tree, a natural monument.
• Inner sanctuary forest, a natural monument.

Address

福井県越前市大滝町23-10 Map

Read more about Otaki Shrine and Okata Shrine

This historic shrine, dedicated to imperial figures, showcases important cultural properties from various periods.

What it is

• A shrine formerly known as Ōshio-no-ho Hachimangu.
• Current name adopted after the early modern period.
• Enshrines Okinagatarashihime-no-Mikoto, Emperor Ōjin, and Empress Jingū.
• Twelve shrines and sixteen deities enshrined in 1910.

What to see

• Main hall in nagare-zukuri style with a tiled roof.
• Worship hall is a national Important Cultural Property.
• Three saddles donated by Honda Tomimasa.
• A sangaku ema from 1701.
• A bronze bell from 1167.
• Ten votive picture tablets.

Address

福井県越前市国兼22-2 Map

Read more about Ōshio Hachiman Shrine

Ōmushi Shrine is an ancient site with important cultural properties and a summer festival.

What it is

• Ancient shrine first mentioned in 780.
• Dedicated to Amatsuhidakahikohonohohodemi no Mikoto.
• Rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyoshi after 1576 fire.

What to see

• Two seated male deity statues are Important Cultural Properties.
• Miyabashi, a stone arch bridge, is a Registered Cultural Property.
• Okusha (inner shrine) on Mt. Onigatake summit.
• Ishigami no Yusui spring water on the grounds.

When to go

• Onigatake Himatsuri festival is held on August 15th.

Address

福井県越前市大虫町21-28 Map

Read more about Ōmushi Shrine (Echizen)

Hakusan Shrine is an ancient shrine with a unique deity, offering a glimpse into local history.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha shrine, listed in 927 AD.
• Amaterasu Omikami was enshrined in 783.
• Dedicated to a statue of Hakusan Gongen.
• Was a prayer place for the Asakura family.

What to see

• Statue of Hakusan Gongen, believed self-carved.
• Remains of Akaike pond on the grounds.

When to go

• The deity statue was moved on September 9.

Getting there

• Accessible by Keifuku Bus.
• Accessible by Hapi-Line Fukui Line.

Address

福井県福井市八重巻中町24 Map

Read more about Hakusan Shrine (Fukui)

Visit this ancient shrine complex to see important cultural properties and learn about local deities.

What it is

• Ancient shrine complex founded in 714.
• Comprises an upper shrine and a lower shrine.
• Dedicated to Hikohodemi no Mikoto and Toyotamahime no Mikoto.
• It is the Ichinomiya of Wakasa Province.

What to see

• Main hall, tower gate, and gate are cultural properties.
• A Tachi sword, a National Important Cultural Property.
• A Norito document, a National Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• Walk from Higashi-Obama Station.

Address

福井県小浜市龍前 Map

Read more about Wakasahiko Shrine

Tsurugi Shrine is an ancient shrine housing important historical artifacts and dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto.

What it is

• Also known as Otamyojin.
• Dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• Kehi-no-Okami and Okinaga-no-Mikoto are also enshrined.
• Sacred object is a sword made by Prince Inishikiirihiko.

What to see

• Main hall built during the Edo period.
• Sessha Oda Shrine main hall from the Muromachi period.
• National Treasure temple bell from 770 CE.
• Fudo Myoo Sanzon statues from the Nanboku-cho period.
• Gilt bronze ritual implement from the Heian period.

Address

福井県丹生郡越前町織田113-1 Map

Read more about Tsurugi Shrine (Echizen, Fukui)

Fujishima Shrine honors a 14th-century samurai, displaying his helmet and sword as cultural treasures.

What it is

• A high-ranking shrine, established in 1876.
• Dedicated to the 14th-century samurai Nitta Yoshisada.
• Also enshrines Nitta Yoshisada's sons and brother.
• Moved to its current location in 1901.

What to see

• An iron inlaid silver helmet, a nationally important cultural property.
• A tachi sword by Yoshitsugu, a nationally important cultural property.

Getting there

• Located on Mt. Asuwa in Fukui City.

Address

福井県福井市毛矢3-8-21 Map

Official site

nitta.or.jp

Read more about Fujishima Shrine

Historic shrine founded in 701, known for its unique festival and ancient lineage.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 701 in Mihama-cho, Fukui Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Ugayafukiaezu no Mikoto.
• Relocated to current site in 806.
• Recognized as a Japan Heritage site in 2015.

What to see

• Current shrine building constructed in 1851.
• Chōzubachi donated by Namekata Kyūbei.

When to go

• Annual festival features ritual dances.
• Festival is a national intangible folk cultural property.

Address

福井県三方上中郡若狭町気山字寺谷129-5 Map

Read more about Uwase Shrine

Sakae-no-yashiro is a Shinto shrine dedicated to historical figures, worth visiting for its unique history.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Fukui City.
• Also known as Echizen Toshogu.
• Enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu and Matsudaira Hideyasu.
• Founded in 1873, originating from 1628.

What to see

• Main hall rebuilt with reinforced concrete in 1960.
• Auxiliary shrine enshrines three domain retainers.

Getting there

• 50 meters from Fukui Castle Ruins Daimyocho Station.
• 700 meters on foot from Fukui Station.

Address

福井県福井市大手3丁目12-3 Map

Read more about Sakae-no-yashiro

Visit this branch of Izumo-taisha Grand Shrine to experience its unique spiritual connection and festivals.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Fukui City.
• Enshrines a divided spirit of Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami.
• Invited to Fukui in 1954.
• Promoted to a branch shrine in 1989.

When to go

• New Year's Festival: January 1st to 3rd.
• Setsubun Festival: February 3rd.
• Tanabata Goen Festival: July 7th.

Getting there

• 18-minute bus ride from JR Fukui Station.
• 18-minute taxi ride from JR Fukui Station.

Address

福井県福井市渕2丁目2001番地 Map

Read more about Izumo-taisha Fukui Branch

Kanegasaki-gū is a Shinto shrine known for love and cherry blossoms, worth visiting for its historical beauty.

What it is

• Shinto shrine founded in 1890.
• Dedicated to Prince Tsuneyoshi and Prince Takanaga.
• Known as "Shrine of Love."
• One of the Kenmu Restoration Fifteen Shrines.

What to see

• The current shrine building, completed in 1893.
• Kanegasaki Castle ruins at the foot of the shrine.
• One thousand Yoshino cherry trees.

When to go

• Hanakae Festival is held from April 1st to 15th.

Address

福井県敦賀市金ヶ崎町1-4 Map

Official site

kanegasakigu.jp

Read more about Kanegasaki-gū

Shibata Shrine honors a samurai and his family on the ruins of Kitanosho Castle.

What it is

• Shrine established in 1890.
• Dedicated to samurai Shibata Katsuie.
• Also enshrines his wife Oichi.
• Built on the site of Kitanosho Castle's main keep.

What to see

• San-shimai Shrine, dedicated to Oichi's three daughters.
• Excavated stone wall from Kitanosho Castle.
• Grounds maintained as Kitanosho Castle Ruins Park.

Getting there

• 500m from Fukui Station West Exit.

Address

福井県福井市中央1丁目21-17 Map

Official site

www.sibatajinja.jp

Read more about Shibata Shrine