20 Shrines in Ishikawa worth your time

Shirayama Hime Shrine, established over 2,100 years ago, is a head shrine for Hakusan faith worshippers.

What it is

• Head shrine for thousands of Hakusan and Shirayama shrines nationwide.
• Grand shrine protecting the Hokuriku region.
• Established over 2,100 years ago, important base for mountain worshippers.
• Dedicated to Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, and Kukuri Hime no Kami.

What to see

• 250-meter Omotesando Path lined with cryptomeria, zelkova, and maple trees.
• Biwa Waterfall, illuminated at night.
• Ancient Sacred Cryptomeria Tree, 800 years old, 12m circumference.
• Three Sacred Cryptomeria Trees grown from Emperor Hirohito's seeds.
• Misogi-sha shrine and Misogi-ba pool for purification ceremonies.
• Shrine Museum with ancient historical materials and Maeda clan records.

When to go

• Biwa Waterfall is illuminated at night.

Address

石川県白山市三宮町ニ105-1 Map

Official site

www.shirayama.or.jp

Read more about Shirayama Hime Shrine

Kanazawa Shrine is a historic guardian shrine next to Kenrokuen Garden, dedicated to Sugawara Michizane.

What it is

• Founded in 1794 by Maeda Harunaga.
• Dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician.
• Served as a guardian shrine for the domain school Meirindo.
• Renamed Kanazawa Shrine in 1876.

What to see

• Main hall and worship hall are national cultural properties.
• Shrine enshrines Shirahajaryujin and other deities.
• Sacred body of Shirahajaryujin is a pair of male and female.
• See the gate called Zuishinmon.
• Kinjoreitaku is the origin of the city name Kanazawa.
• Find the Ibatori-ishi, a wart-removing stone.

Getting there

• Located adjacent to Kenrokuen Garden.

Address

石川県金沢市兼六町1-3 Map

Official site

kanazawa-jj.or.jp

Read more about Kanazawa Shrine

Hakui Shrine: ancient shrine dedicated to an imperial prince, with a sumo festival and old zelkova tree.

What it is

• Ancient shrine listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho.
• Dedicated to Iwatsukuwakeno-mikoto, tenth prince of Emperor Suinin.
• Original location was 200m southeast, at Hachiman Shrine.

What to see

• Three-bay nagare-zukuri style main hall.
• Worship hall built in 1832.
• Mount Otsuka, a keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• Mount Otsuka is the tomb of Iwatsukuwakeno-mikoto.
• A 600-year-old zelkova tree.

When to go

• Karato-yama Shinji Sumo is an intangible folk cultural property.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Hakui Station.

Address

石川県羽咋市川原町エ164 Map

Read more about Hakui Shrine

Keta Shrine is an ancient shrine with important cultural properties and a unique cormorant festival.

What it is

• Ancient Shinto shrine in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the deity Okuninushi no Mikoto.
• Formerly a Kokuhei Taisha, now an independent shrine.
• Ichinomiya of Noto Province.

What to see

• Five shrine buildings are Important Cultural Properties.
• Main hall was built in 1787.
• Worship hall was built in 1653 or 1654.
• Main gate was built in 1584.
• Shrine forest is a National Natural Monument.

When to go

• U-matsuri (cormorant festival) is on December 16th.
• U-matsuri is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

石川県羽咋市寺家町ク1番地1 Map

Official site

keta.jp

Read more about Keta Shrine

Uhashi Shrine is a historic guardian shrine with ancient trees and a lively spring festival.

What it is

• General guardian shrine of Kaga Province.
• Founded in 704 AD or earlier.
• Enshrines Uhashi Okami, Takeminakata no Mikoto, and Yasakatome no Mikoto.
• Moved to its current location in 1651.

What to see

• Main hall and portable shrine are cultural properties.
• Haiku monument by Matsuo Basho.
• Ushiwakamatsu tree is a several-hundred-year-old pine.
• Shoryu no Matsu is a 28-meter-tall pine tree.

When to go

• Spring festival features elaborate floats and children's kabuki.

Address

石川県小松市浜田町２３３ Map

Read more about Uhashi Shrine

Kasuga Shrine is an ancient shrine founded by the Kujo family, known for its unique festival.

What it is

• Shrine established in 1261 by the Kujo family.
• Originally named Wakayama-sha.
• Enshrines a divided spirit from Nara Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
• Dedicated to four deities including Amenokoyane-no-mikoto.

What to see

• Monument with a poem by Otomo Yakamochi.
• A torii gate was rebuilt on July 6, 2023.
• The rebuilt torii gate collapsed on January 1, 2024.

When to go

• Iida-machi Toroyama Festival is on July 20th and 21st.
• Festival began in the early Edo period.

Read more about Kasuga Shrine

Takamimusuhi Shrine is a historic village shrine with unique architecture and carvings.

What it is

• Former village shrine in Nonoichi City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Established in 1909, replacing an older shrine.
• Dedicated to Takamimusuhi-no-Mikoto and other deities.
• Land donated by the Oshino Goto family.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1911 on a former residence site.
• Main hall features kirizuma-zukuri style with a tiled roof.
• Worship hall is irimoya-zukuri style with a tiled roof.
• Worship hall is 5 ken wide and 5 ken deep.
• Carvings by Kamo Chokokukan from Inami Town.

Address

石川県野々市市押野1丁目2番地 Map

Read more about Takamimusuhi Shrine

Kinken-gū is an ancient Shinto shrine, part of the Hakusan Seven, with a sacred spring.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the deity Ninigi-no-Mikoto.
• Founded in the 3rd year of Emperor Sujin's reign.
• One of the Hakusan Seven Shrines.

What to see

• The main hall, built in 1909.
• The worship hall, completed in 1890.
• The sacred spring called Ama-no-Manai.

When to go

• Attend the autumn festival, Horai Matsuri.

Getting there

• A 10-minute walk from Tsurugi Station.

Address

石川県白山市鶴来日詰町巳118-5 Map

Read more about Kinken-gū

Ancient mountain shrine with historic halls, a cultural property in Nakanoto.

What it is

• Ancient shrine on Mount Isurugi in Nakanoto.
• Dedicated to Isurugihiko-no-kami and Shirayama-Hime-no-kami.
• Known as the Ninomiya of Noto Province.
• Listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho as a Shikinaisha.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1653 by Maeda Toshitsune.
• Main hall is a cultural property of Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Worship hall built in 1701.
• Worship hall is a cultural property of Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Site is being developed as a historical park.

Address

石川県鹿島郡中能登町石動山子部1番地1 Map

Read more about Isurugihiko Shrine

Jūzō Shrine is an ancient shrine housing a National Treasure mask, offering a glimpse into Japan's spiritual heritage.

What it is

• Ancient shrine in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Amenofuyukinu-no-mikoto and Ōkuninushi-no-mikoto.
• Founded during the reign of Emperor Sujin.
• Became a prefectural shrine in 1918.

What to see

• Wooden Bodhisattva mask, an Important Cultural Property.
• The mask was designated a National Treasure in 1900.

When to go

• Kisaragi Festival's Otōgyōji is a Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

石川県輪島市河井町4-68 Map

Official site

juzo.or.jp

Read more about Jūzō Shrine

Ancient shrine in Noto, dedicated to Okuninushi-no-mikoto, known for unique festivals.

What it is

• A shrine in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Formally named Notoikukunitamahiko-jinja.
• Chief guardian shrine of Noto Province.
• Founded during the reign of Emperor Kogen.

What to see

• The Hongu-kaku building is nearby.

When to go

• Kunimuke Festival is on March 21.
• U-matsuri is on December 13.

Getting there

• 5-minute drive from Nanao Station.
• Nanao Station is on the JR West Nanao Line.

Address

石川県七尾市所口町ハ部70の1番地 Map

Read more about Keta-hongū

Nanao City's largest shrine, founded in 718, hosts major festivals and enshrines ancient deities.

What it is

• Largest shrine in Nanao City.
• Founded in 718.
• Dedicated to Ōyamakui-no-kami, Susanoo-no-mikoto, Ikohotomi-no-mikoto.
• Base for festivals in central Nanao City.

What to see

• Includes Konpira Shrine, Dōchi Shrine, and Sugawara Shrine.

When to go

• Seihaku Festival: May 3rd to 5th.
• Gion Festival: second Saturday of July.

Getting there

• 5-minute drive from Nanao Station.

Official site

sannoushrinenoto.wixsite.com

Read more about Ōtokonushi Shrine

Komatsu Tenmangu is a historic Shinto shrine with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine founded in 1657.
• Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane.
• Served as a guardian deity for the Kaga Domain.
• Also known as Bairinin.

What to see

• Main hall is a nationally important cultural property.
• Stone room is a nationally important cultural property.
• Heiden and haiden are nationally important cultural properties.
• Shinmon is a nationally important cultural property.
• Haiku monument by Matsuo Basho.

Address

石川県小松市天神町1 Map

Read more about Komatsu Tenmangu

Ancient shrine with unique treasures and a sacred spring, worth visiting for history and natural beauty.

What it is

• A shrine in Anamizu Town, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Known as Hetsu-hime Shrine, an Engishiki-naisha.
• Enshrines Munakata Sanjojin deities.
• Designated as the Sōsha of the county in the Edo period.

What to see

• Main hall with a stone coffin containing ancient treasures.
• Spring called Manai flowing from Sakuradani cave.
• Donated gold lanterns from the Edo period.
• Oldest ema (votive horse tablet) in Hokuriku.

Address

石川県鳳珠郡穴水町大町ホ-1 Map

Read more about Anamizu-ōmiya

Enuma Shrine: a historic site in Kaga City with beautiful gardens and important cultural properties.

What it is

• Founded in 1704 by Maeda Toshiharu.
• Dedicated to Maeda Toshiharu and Sugawara no Michizane.
• Formerly held the rank of Prefectural Shrine.

What to see

• Choryutei, built in 1709, is an Important Cultural Property.
• Baikaan was completed in the Edo period.
• Chikukeikan was the residence of the 14th lord.
• The garden is a Kaga City Place of Scenic Beauty.
• Fukada Kyuya Literary Monument was erected in 1974.

Address

石川県加賀市大聖寺八間道55 Map

Read more about Enuma Shrine

This shrine, dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, features a unique gate blending Japanese, Chinese, and Western styles.

What it is

• Shinto shrine dedicated to Maeda Toshiie.
• Also dedicated to his wife, Maeda Matsu.
• Founded in 1873.

What to see

• Three-storied shinmon gate, completed in 1875.
• Shinmon gate blends Japanese, Chinese, and Western architectural styles.
• Shinmon gate has stained glass.
• Eastern gate from Azuchi-Momoyama period.
• Eastern gate has wooden carvings of dragons.
• Eastern gate was part of Kanazawa Castle.

Address

石川県金沢市尾山町11-1 Map

Official site

www.oyama-jinja.or.jp

Read more about Oyama Shrine

Kanazawa's oldest shrine, rebuilt in 1602, with 101 torii gates and two stone monuments.

What it is

• Kanazawa City's oldest shrine.
• Formerly called Miwa Shrine.
• Rebuilt in 1602.
• Renamed Ishiura Shrine in 1868.

What to see

• 101 torii gates built in 2019.
• Stone monument for Ishiura Shrine.
• Stone monument for Miwa Shrine.

When to go

• Annual festival on October 2nd.

Getting there

• Accessible by Hokutetsu Bus.
• Accessible by Kanazawa Flat Bus.

Address

石川県金沢市本多町三丁目1番30号 Map

Official site

www.ishiura.jp

Read more about Ishiura Shrine

Hajikami Shrine, founded in 718 AD, is a historic site dedicated to two deities.

What it is

• Founded in 718 AD.
• Dedicated to Hajikami-no-kami and Shōhachiman-no-kami.
• Designated a Kokuhei Shōsha under the Engishiki.
• Relocated to its current site after a fire.

What to see

• A waterway flows near the main approach.
• Grounds are covered in a dense forest.
• Main shrine building is on a small hill.

When to go

• Ginger Festival is held annually on June 15th.

Address

石川県金沢市二日市町カ186番地 Map

Read more about Hajikami Shrine

Nakamura Shrine is a historic shrine with a unique zelkova wood worship hall, worth visiting for its cultural significance.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to four deities.
• Celebrated its 1100th anniversary in 2009.
• Designated a local shrine in 1880.

What to see

• Worship hall originally from Kanazawa Castle's Ninomaru.
• Worship hall is a Momoyama-style building.
• Worship hall made entirely of zelkova wood.
• Worship hall registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property.
• Worship hall was originally a Noh stage.

Address

石川県金沢市中村町16 Map

Read more about Nakamura Shrine

Shiratori Shrine honors Yamato Takeru, known for rain prayers and a historic votive horse picture.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Yamato Takeru no Mikoto.
• Founded around the time of Emperor Chuai.
• Believed a white bird was Yamato Takeru's soul.
• Known for efficacy in praying for rain.

What to see

• Tenman Daijizai Tenjin is a subsidiary shrine.
• Votive horse picture from 1853 is a cultural property.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Tsubata Station.

Address

石川県河北郡津幡町加賀爪ヌ1 Map

Read more about Shiratori Shrine