About Kanazawa Hachiman Shrine
Kanazawa Hachiman Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a historical shrine where Minamoto no Yoritomo is said to have prayed for military success when establishing the Kamakura Shogunate, and it has long been revered as the local guardian deity.
Deities Enshrined
The main deity is Emperor Ojin, revered as Hachiman, the god of war and victory. Empress Jingu and Emperor Chuai are also enshrined in the auxiliary shrine.
History and Origins
Kanazawa Hachiman Shrine is said to have been founded at the end of the Heian period. There is a legend that Minamoto no Yoritomo prayed for lasting military success at this site when establishing the Kamakura Shogunate, and it attracted the reverence of samurai families during the Kamakura period. During the Edo period, it was cherished by the local people as the guardian shrine of Kanazawa, and it continues to receive deep devotion from parishioners and worshippers to this day.
Points of Interest for Visitors
Highlights of the Shrine Grounds
Main Hall and Worship Hall
The main hall is a valuable building that retains the architectural style of the late Edo period. The worship hall has a majestic presence welcoming worshippers, and its carvings are magnificent.
Kagura Hall
The Kagura Hall is where Kagura (sacred dance and music) is performed during the annual festival, allowing visitors to witness traditional performing arts up close.
Subsidiary Shrines
Within the shrine grounds are several subsidiary shrines, including an Inari shrine and a Tenjin shrine, each believed to bring blessings for business prosperity and academic success, respectively.
Proper Worship Etiquette
- Bow before passing through the torii gate: This is a courtesy before entering the sacred area.
- Purify yourself at the water basin: Purify your left hand, right hand, and mouth in that order.
- Two bows, two claps, one bow: This is the basic worship etiquette in front of the main hall.
- Visit the subsidiary shrines: If you have time, visit the subsidiary shrines as well.
Goshuin (Shrine Seals) and Amulets
Goshuin are available at the shrine office (donation: 300 yen). Amulets for good luck in competitions and safe childbirth are popular, attracting worshippers not only from the local area but also from far away.
Benefits
Good Luck in Competitions and Victory Prayer
Hachiman is known as a god of war, and many worshippers visit to pray for success in competitions such as exams, matches, and business negotiations. Due to the legend that Minamoto no Yoritomo prayed for military success here, the shrine is considered particularly powerful for good luck in competitions.
Protection from Evil and Good Fortune
This shrine is frequently visited by people praying for protection from evil during their unlucky years and for good fortune at important life milestones. The January festival for warding off evil attracts many worshippers.
Safe Childbirth and Child-Rearing
As Empress Jingu is enshrined here, the shrine is also worshipped as a guardian deity for safe childbirth and child-rearing. Many worshippers visit on the Day of the Dog (Inu no Hi) to pray for safe childbirth.
Family Safety and Traffic Safety
As the local guardian deity, the shrine also accepts prayers for family safety and traffic safety. They also perform blessings for new cars.
Annual Events
Grand Festival (September)
The annual grand festival, held every September, features a portable shrine procession and Kagura (sacred dance) performances, making it the largest festival in the region. Numerous stalls are set up, and the shrine grounds are filled with many worshippers.
First Shrine Visit of the Year (January)
The shrine is bustling with visitors for their first shrine visit of the year from New Year’s Day to the third day. There may be free servings of amazake (sweet rice wine) and raffles.
Other Events
- Setsubun Festival (February): Bean-throwing ceremony takes place.
- Shichi-Go-San Festival (November): Visitors come to celebrate the growth of their children.
- Summer Purification Ceremony (June): Participants pass through a ring of reeds to purify themselves of the impurities accumulated over the past six months.
Access
Access by Train
From Keikyu Line “Kanazawa Bunko Station”
- Approximately 15 minutes on foot
- By Bus: Get off at Keikyu Bus “Hachiman Shrine Mae” bus stop and walk for 1 minute.
From Seaside Line “Umi no Koen Minamiguchi Station”
- Approximately 20 minutes on foot
Access by Bus
Take a Keikyu Bus from the east exit of Kanazawa Bunko Station and get off at the “Hachiman Shrine Mae” bus stop; the shrine is right in front of you. Buses run approximately 2-3 times per hour.
Access by Car
From the Asahina Interchange on the Yokohama-Yokosuka Expressway:
- Approximately 10 minutes
From the Koura Interchange on the Shuto Expressway Wangan Line:
- Approximately 15 minutes
There are approximately 10 parking spaces on the temple grounds. During events such as the annual festival, the parking lot is often full, so we recommend using public transportation.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
- Kanazawa Bunko (10-minute walk): Exhibits valuable cultural artifacts from the Kamakura period
- Shomyoji Temple (12-minute walk): An ancient temple with a beautiful Jodo-style garden
- Umi no Koen (20-minute walk): Yokohama’s only seaside park where you can enjoy clam digging
Visiting Information
Basic Information
- Address: 2-12-1 Kamariya Higashi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Phone: 045-701-9992
- Visiting Hours: Grounds are freely accessible (Shrine office: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Admission Fee: Free
- Parking: Available (approx. 10 spaces, free)
About Prayers
While advance reservations are recommended for prayers, same-day registration is also possible. The offering fee starts from 5,000 yen. Reservations are recommended for Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3) and prayers for safe childbirth.
Points to Note When Visiting the Shrine
- Smoking is prohibited on the shrine grounds.
- If you are bringing a pet, please carry it or keep it in a carrier.
- Photography is permitted, but photography is prohibited inside the main hall.
- During busy periods such as the annual festival, visiting the shrine may take longer.
