Nagoya, Japan Shrine Visit Report 2026 Moriyama No.2 Hakusan Jinja Nishishiro
On August 25, 2026, I visited Hakusan Shrine in Nishishiro, Moriyama Ward, Nagoya.
Hakusan Shrine is located in Nishishiro 2-chome, Moriyama Ward, Nagoya.
The shrine grounds are relatively open. Beyond the stone torii gate stands the shrine building, with Shinzen-type stone lanterns and komainu guardian statues arranged on both sides.
The grounds also contain a stone purification basin with a dragon-shaped water spout, an older stone water basin, a stone monument inscribed “Yamagami,” and another torii gate.
One especially important feature is the stone monument titled “Hakusan Jinja Gozoei Kinen,” commemorating the reconstruction of Hakusan Shrine.
The monument records the enshrined deities, the shrine’s traditional founding history, the merging of Shinmei Shrine, and the reconstruction of the shrine buildings and grounds in 1984. This article uses that on-site monument as a central historical source.
Photographic Record of Hakusan Shrine
001 Hakusan Shrine Seen from Across the Road
This is Hakusan Shrine as seen from the opposite side of the road. A stone torii gate stands at the front, with the shrine building and stone lanterns visible beyond it.
002 Stone Torii Gate and Shrine Grounds
This is the stone torii gate at the entrance to the shrine grounds. After passing through the gate, the shrine building, purification pavilion, and stone lanterns can be seen.
003 Hakusan Shrine Reconstruction Memorial
This is the stone monument titled “Hakusan Jinja Gozoei Kinen.” It records the shrine’s deities, history, and the reconstruction of the grounds in 1984. It is an important historical source that can still be examined on site.
004 Stone Purification Basin with a Dragon Spout
The purification basin has a water spout shaped like a dragon. The basin is made from a large piece of stone, and ferns grow around it.
005 Purification Pavilion
This is the purification pavilion. A stone water basin is placed beneath the roof.
006 Shrine Building of Hakusan Shrine
This is the current shrine building. Komainu guardian statues stand on both sides in front of the building, with Shinzen-type stone lanterns positioned farther out.
According to the reconstruction memorial on the grounds, the 1984 road-widening project led to the purchase of part of the shrine property, which became the opportunity to completely rebuild the shrine building, shrine office, purification pavilion, and other facilities.
007 Old Stone Water Basin
This is an old stone water basin that remains on the shrine grounds. Natural stones also remain nearby, allowing visitors to see older stonework that differs from the more recently developed parts of the grounds.
008 Another Torii Gate on the Grounds
Another part of the grounds has a white-painted torii gate. An inscription on the pillar indicates that it was erected in March 1978.
009 Komainu Guardian Statue
This komainu guardian statue stands in front of the shrine building. It is made of granite, and the pedestal is prominently carved with the word “Dedication.”
010 Matching Komainu Guardian Statue
This is the komainu on the opposite side. The pair is positioned to guard the front of the shrine building.
011 Shinzen-Type Stone Lantern
This large Shinzen-type stone lantern stands in front of the shrine building. It has a complete traditional structure, including the roof, fire chamber, middle platform, shaft, and base.
012 Matching Shinzen-Type Stone Lantern
This is the Shinzen-type stone lantern on the opposite side. The lantern stands out against the green background. The roof shows discoloration from many years of exposure to the weather.
013 Yamagami Stone Monument
A stone monument inscribed “Yamagami” also remains on the shrine grounds.
About Hakusan Shrine
| Name | Hakusan Shrine |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-10-18 Nishishiro, Moriyama Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan |
| Foundation | Traditionally said to have been established before 1596 |
| Main Deity | Kukurihime-no-Mikoto |
| Other Deities | Amaterasu Omikami, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Emperor Ojin, Inakura-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto |
| 1920 | Shinmei Shrine was merged into Hakusan Shrine |
| 1984 | The shrine building, shrine office, purification pavilion, and grounds were redeveloped following road widening |
| Feature | A shrine with a history of incorporating several local shrines |
Hakusan Shrine Is Said to Have Existed Before 1596
The exact year when Hakusan Shrine was founded is unknown.
The reconstruction memorial on the shrine grounds states that the shrine is traditionally believed to have been founded before 1596, although the exact date when it was first enshrined is unknown.
Later historical sources also state that the shrine is believed to have existed before 1596.
This means that, according to tradition, the shrine had already been worshipped in this area by the end of Japan’s Sengoku period.
Hakusan Shrine and Omorigaito Village During the Edo Period
The present-day Nishishiro, Muraai-cho, and Muramae-cho areas were once known as Omorigaito Village or Omorikaido Village.
Regional records from around 1670 mention shrines dedicated to Shinmei, Kumano, Hakusan, Hachiryu, Tenjin, Yamagami, and others.
Records from 1822 also mention Hakusan, Shinmei, Kumano, and other shrines.
In addition, records from 1844 state that Hakusan Shrine, Shinmei Shrine, and Kumano Shrine were located at the same place.
The fact that Hakusan Shrine today enshrines several deities reflects this long history of local shrines being combined and merged.
1920 — Shinmei Shrine Was Merged into Hakusan Shrine
In December 1919, permission was granted to merge Shinmei Shrine, which stood to the east of the village, into Hakusan Shrine.
Historical records state that Shinmei Shrine was formally merged into Hakusan Shrine in January 1920.
This is one reason why Amaterasu Omikami, the deity of Shinmei Shrine, is now enshrined at Hakusan Shrine.
1984 — Road Widening and Reconstruction of the Shrine Grounds
In 1984, part of the Hakusan Shrine grounds was purchased by the City of Nagoya as part of a widening project for the municipal road running along the east side of the shrine.
The “Hakusan Jinja Gozoei Kinen” monument on the grounds states that the money from the purchase was used as a fund to completely rebuild the shrine building, shrine office, purification pavilion, and other facilities, as well as to improve the shrine grounds.
The relatively modern appearance of the current shrine building and purification pavilion comes from this 1984 redevelopment.
The Merging of Tsushima, Hachiman, and Inari Shrines
The reconstruction memorial on the grounds states that Tsushima Shrine, Hachiman Shrine, and Inari Shrine were merged into Hakusan Shrine in October 1984.
However, later records state that the subsidiary Inari and Hachiman shrines were merged into the main shrine in June 1986.
The dates and the shrines involved therefore differ depending on the source.
In this article, I give priority to the reconstruction memorial that I examined in person on the shrine grounds, while also recording the difference found in later sources.
The Yamagami Stone Monument
A stone monument inscribed “Yamagami” remains on the shrine grounds.
Regional historical records show that a number of shrines existed in this area, including Hakusan, Shinmei, Kumano, Hachiryu, Tenjin, and Yamagami.
History of Hakusan Shrine
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Before 1596 | Hakusan Shrine is traditionally believed to have already existed. The exact date of its original enshrinement is unknown. |
| Around 1670 | Records from Omorikaido Village mention Hakusan, Shinmei, Kumano, Hachiryu, Tenjin, Yamagami, and other shrines. |
| 1822 | Regional records mention Hakusan, Shinmei, Kumano, and other shrines. |
| 1844 | Records state that Hakusan Shrine, Shinmei Shrine, and Kumano Shrine were located at the same place. |
| 1878 | Several shrines in the local area were relocated. |
| 1919 | Permission was granted to merge Shinmei Shrine from the eastern part of the village into Hakusan Shrine. |
| 1920 | Shinmei Shrine was merged into Hakusan Shrine. |
| 1978 | An inscription on one of the torii gates shows that it was erected in March 1978. |
| 1984 | Part of the shrine grounds was purchased for municipal road widening, and the shrine building, shrine office, purification pavilion, and grounds were redeveloped. |
| October 1984 | The on-site reconstruction memorial states that Tsushima Shrine, Hachiman Shrine, and Inari Shrine were merged into Hakusan Shrine. |
| 1986 | Later records state that the Inari and Hachiman subsidiary shrines were merged into the main shrine. |
Deities of Hakusan Shrine
The deities currently enshrined here are listed on the “Hakusan Jinja Gozoei Kinen” monument on the shrine grounds.
| Deity | About the Deity |
|---|---|
| Kukurihime-no-Mikoto | The central deity of Hakusan worship. She is also widely associated with bringing people and relationships together. |
| Amaterasu Omikami | The sun deity and one of the central deities in Japanese mythology. |
| Susanoo-no-Mikoto | A major deity in Japanese mythology, also associated with protection from misfortune and disasters. |
| Emperor Ojin | Widely worshipped as Hachiman, a major deity in Japanese religious tradition. |
| Inakura-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto | A deity associated with rice and food, closely connected with Inari worship. |
The reconstruction memorial states that Kukurihime-no-Mikoto, Amaterasu Omikami, and Susanoo-no-Mikoto are enshrined in the main sanctuary, Emperor Ojin in the eastern side sanctuary, and Inakura-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto in the western side sanctuary.
After the Visit
I visited Hakusan Shrine on August 25, 2026.
The shrine grounds today include the shrine building and purification pavilion created during the 1984 redevelopment, while older stonework such as the Shinzen-type stone lanterns, old stone water basin, and Yamagami monument also remains.
The reconstruction memorial shows that this shrine did not develop only as a place of Hakusan worship. Over time, it incorporated Shinmei Shrine, Tsushima Shrine, Hachiman Shrine, Inari Shrine, and other local beliefs into its present form.
Hakusan Shrine in Nishishiro preserves the history of local shrines gradually being combined over a long period, and that history can still be seen both in the deities worshipped here and in the stonework remaining on the grounds.
Japanese Stone Animal Statues for Sale — Komainu & Inari Fox Sculptures from Japan
Japanese Garden Stone Lanterns for Sale from Japan
Japanese Stone Tableware, Vases & Chozubachi for Sale — Handmade Stone Creations from Japan
Recorded on August 25, 2026
Written on August 26, 2026