Shirayamabime jinja

Known as the head shrine of all Hakusan Shrines across Japan.
With around 20,000 affiliated shrines, Hakusan Shrine features an Okumiya (inner shrine) on Mount Hakusan, spanning Ishikawa, Fukui, and Gifu prefectures. This shrine covers 3,000 hectares, serving as a place for mountain ascetic practices and syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, similar to Mount Togakushi in Nagano Prefecture.

During the Kamakura period, Heisenji in Katsuyama City, Fukui, functioned as an Enryakuji branch, and Hakusan Hime Shrine also became a branch temple of Enryakuji. The shrine complex, referred to as Hakusan Shichisha, mirrors the structure of Hiyoshi Taisha, which is known as Hiyoshi Shichisha.

A spacious parking lot is provided next to the shrine grounds, accommodating tour buses. The entrance features a large Shinto torii gate, typically seen at grand shrines, marking the start of the approach. Traditionally, the entrance begins at the Myojin Torii located slightly south of the parking lot. Surrounded by a sacred forest, the stone steps lead to the main shrine and the gate to the worship hall, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere with white gravel spread across the grounds, indicating a well-maintained shrine attracting many visitors.

The inner shrine is located at the summit of Mount Hakusan, overlooking Ishikawa and Fukui prefectures. Established in 718, the shrine, rebuilt in 1988, features a west-facing one-bay Nagare-zukuri structure at an elevation of approximately 2,702 meters.

About 250 meters below the summit, the Kitouden (prayer hall) stands with the summit as its backdrop. The Kitouden is open from July 1st to August 31st.