Hakkai Shrine

Overview

Hakkai Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, situated at the base of the sacred Mount Hakkai. Long revered as a sacred mountain for mountain worship, Hakkai Shrine enshrines Hakkai-san O-kami (Hakkai-san Teito Raishin-o), the Buddhist appellation for Kunisazuchi-no-mikoto, embodying the mountain itself as a deity. The grounds feature centuries-old Meoto-sugi (Husband and Wife Cedars), symbolizing marital harmony and safe childbirth. The Ko-mochi Anzan Ishi (Childbearing and Safe Delivery Stone), donated by the local Uemura family, has long watched over the safe deliveries of women in the region. These elements make Hakkai Shrine a popular destination for those seeking marital bliss and safe childbirth. Access to Hakkai Shrine is a 20-minute drive from the Rokujyomachi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway, or about a 30-minute bus ride from Rokujyomachi Station. Ample parking is available for regular-sized cars. Hakkai Shrine is also famous as a trailhead for Mount Hakkai, a 1,778-meter mountain listed among Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. The trail from the shrine to the summit takes approximately 5 hours. Mount Hakkai boasts abundant natural beauty, including beech forests and alpine plants. Besides climbing, you can also enjoy hiking and trekking. Hakkai Shrine is located in a tranquil, nature-filled setting, offering a peaceful retreat. It's highly recommended as a base for climbing, hiking, or trekking Mount Hakkai, and as a popular spot for those wishing for marital harmony and safe childbirth.