Where are the best places for Hatsumode in Kanazawa? Five recommended shrines and temples for Hatsumode【Kanazawa Famous Place】

Hatsumode is the most important event of the New Year. Many people cannot start the year without paying a visit to Hatsumode.

Here we introduce five places for Hatsumode in Kanazawa City.

You can choose the shrine that best suits your purpose since the information on the origin of the shrine, its benefits, and accessibility is included.

Please use it as a reference when you go for Hatsumode.

Kanazawa City, Places of interest for shrines and temples ① Oyama Shrine

Oyama Shrine was built in 1873 as a shrine dedicated to Lord Toshiie Maeda, the feudal lord of the Kaga Domain, and his wife Omatsu no Mata.

Two years later, in 1875, the Shinmon Gate was built with a blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Western style stained glass windows, which was rare at the time, and has become a popular tourist attraction.

There are many attractions such as the pond garden, which was originally the residence of the Maeda family, and the East Gate, which is a remnant of Kanazawa Castle.

Since the shrine enshrines Lord Maeda, a military commander, it is believed to be strong in 「luck in victory」.

Amulets in the shape of Lord Toshiie’s favorite helmet are also popular.

It is recommended for those who want to improve their luck to win an important match or to have a successful business meeting.

Other benefits of Oyama Shrine are listed here:

Oyama Shrine Visiting Information

The location is adjacent to Kanazawa Castle Park. Free parking is provided, but it is better to use public transportation as it is especially crowded at the beginning of the year.

Kanazawa City – Places of interest of shrines and temples ② Ishiura Shrine

Ishiura Shrine is located near Kenrokuen and is popular among Kanazawa residents. It is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, said to date back to the Kofun period.

In 2028, a pathway with one hundred and one torii gates was built, and it is a popular photo spot.

It is close to Kenrokuen and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and as Kanazawa’s oldest shrine, many people stop by while sightseeing.

The shrine is also known as a power spot for marriage, so it is recommended for those who have a one-sided love or want to be blessed with a good marriage.

Here are the benefits of Ishiura Shrine

Ishiura Shrine Visiting Information

It is located across the street from Kenrokuen and very close to the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. There is a parking lot that can accommodate 20 large buses and cars, but it is recommended to use public transportation as much as possible since it gets crowded at the beginning of the year.

Kanazawa City, Shrine and Temple ③ Kanazawa Shrine

Kanazawa Shrine is another popular shrine adjacent to Kenrokuen , and was founded in 1794 by Harunaga Maeda, the 11th head of the Kaga clan.

The shrine enshrines Sugawara Michizane, the ancestor of the Maeda family, and the White Snake Dragon God. One of the deities is opened each month, and on New Year’s Day, two figures, a male and female, are opened.

On the third day of the New Year, 「kelp tea」 brewed using the sacred water of 「Kinpaku Reisawa」 is served to visitors to the shrine, so many people look forward to that.

This shrine is popular among students because it enshrines Sugawara Michizane, a well-known god of learning.

The shrine is recommended for those who wish to pray for success in entrance examinations or to improve their grades.

Other benefits of Kanazawa Shrine are here:

Kanazawa Shrine Visiting Information

Kanazawa Shrine is conveniently accessible from Hyakumangoku Street. Parking is available at nearby coin-operated parking lots.

Kanazawa City, Shrine and Temple Places ④ Utasu Shrine

Utasu Shrine was founded in 1599. It was revered as a place of prayer for generations of Maeda family lords.

Ten sacred bodies are enshrined, and it is said to be one of the best power spots in the local area.

This shrine was also used to seal the demon’s gate of Kanazawa Castle, and you can purchase a rare 「demon’s gate card」 amulet.

At the back of the shrine grounds is 「Toshitsune-ko Sake-yu-no-ido」, which is said to be the most powerful power spot of the shrine, and is famous as a cure for illness.

Every year on the Setsubun Festival, the shrine holds a spectacular tradition of dancing and bean-throwing by the geisha of Higashi Chaya-machi.

This shrine, known to Kanazawa people as Bishamon-sama, is recommended for those who wish to make various requests for good fortune, good marriage, traffic safety, and many other benefits.

Here are the benefits of Utasu Shrine:

Utasu Shrine Visiting Information

Utasu Shrine is located in a corner of the historic Higashi Chaya district, so the streets are narrow.

There is a dedicated parking lot that can hold 15 cars, but be aware that it gets crowded at the beginning of the year.

Kanazawa City Shrines and Temples ⑤ Korinji

Korinji Temple was built in 1651, the 4th year of the Keian Era, by a retainer of the Kaga Domain at the request of the third head of the domain, Maeda Toshitsune.

It is famous as a venerable 「wishing temple」, where visitors can make various wishes and pray for the elimination of bad luck.

Inside the temple grounds, there are statues of Fudo Myoo and the sixteen arhat statues, which are constantly visited by visitors.

The temple is also famous for its rare white higanbana (cluster amaryllis), which attracts many tourists from late September to early October.

The temple is said to be a temple that grants wishes of all kinds, so if you have a wish for a solution to your problems or a wish that you really want to make come true, you should definitely visit the temple.

Here are the benefits of Korinji Temple:

Korinji Visiting Information

Nearby are the APA Hotel Kanazawa Nomachi Kan and the Kanazawa Future City Creation Museum.

Korinji Temple has a parking lot for 10 cars, but paid parking is also available at the nearby Gokurakuji Temple.

To access the temple grounds, visitors pay a worship fee. Adults pay 500 yen and junior high school students and younger pay 400 yen, so do not forget to pay the entrance fee.

Summary of Kanazawa Hatsumode Places of Interest

We have introduced five famous shrines and temples to visit for Hatsumode in Kanazawa.

1.　Oyama Shrine
2.　Ishiura Shrine
3.　Kanazawa Shrine
4.　Udasu Shrine
5.　Korinji

All of the shrines are popular spots with various benefits.

They are also well-known as power spots in Kanazawa City, so they are places to stop by when you visit for sightseeing or on vacation.

It gets crowded at the beginning of the year, so be careful of traffic congestion on nearby roads and parking.

Let’s make a good start to the year by receiving blessings at shrines and temples in Kanazawa City!

↓Information on Kanazawa’s famous places to check out↓

●「Shima」 in the Higashi Chaya district, Kanazawa City’s recommended sightseeing spot

●「Narihatsumikaku」, an elegant sightseeing spot in Kanazawa City, is a place you want to visit before you die.