Heisenji Hakusan Shrine
平泉寺白山神社
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Heisenji Hakusan Shrine
Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is a historic shrine and temple in Katsuyama, Fukui. We've gathered 3 videos so you can explore it across the seasons on screen.
Hiraisenji Hakusan Shrine is a shrine located in Hiraisenji, Hiraisenji-cho, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture. It is said that it was founded in 717 by the Buddhist monk Taizumi as the base of the Echizen Province side of the Hakusan faith, and later prospered as a branch temple of Enryaku-ji Temple (the head temple of the Tendai sect) on Mt. Hiei. It was a Buddhist temple until the separation of Shinto and Buddhism in the Meiji period. Its history and excavated items are exhibited at the Hakusan Heisenji History Museum Mahoroba.
Source: Wikipedia「平泉寺白山神社」 · CC BY-SA 4.0
History & Culture
Gateway to Mount Hakusan
Founded in 717 by the ascetic monk Taicho, who first opened the sacred Mount Hakusan, Heisenji grew into one of medieval Japan's greatest religious complexes, home to thousands of monks and warrior-monks.
A Forest Carpeted in Moss
Burned in a 1574 uprising and never fully rebuilt, the site is now a serene shrine whose grounds and ancient cedar avenue are famed for a deep carpet of moss. Excavations continue to reveal the buried medieval temple town.
Heisenji-cho, Katsuyama, Fukui
Open year-round
Free
Hours and fees are a guide and may change — please check official information before your visit.
