WakayamaTravel

Hinokuma Shrine and Kunikakasu Shrine (日前神宮・國懸神宮)

Flow of the course

About 45 min here

About 30 min to the next stop

Next stop: Walk the quiet approach from Kamayama Station to an ancient shrine wrapped in greenery

About this spot

A short walk from Hinokuma-jingu Station on the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line, this is a rare shrine, one of only a few in the country, where two shrines, Hinokuma Shrine and Kunikakasu Shrine, stand side by side within a single precinct. Said to carry over two thousand years of history as Kii Province's Ichinomiya, it has long been affectionately known locally as Nichizengu (日前宮). Passing through the torii gate reveals a sacred grove so deep it is hard to believe you are in an urban area, and the gravel approach splits left and right so you can visit each shrine in turn. Hinokuma Shrine enshrines a sacred mirror called the Higata no Kagami (日像鏡), while Kunikakasu Shrine enshrines one called the Hiboko no Kagami (日矛鏡), both venerable ancient shrines with these mirrors as their sacred objects, and visiting the two shrines one after another is a fresh experience even for children. As the first stop on the Saigoku Three-Shrine Pilgrimage, it makes a perfect starting point for praying for your family's safe travels.

Tips

Excellent access, about a 1-minute walk from Hinokuma-jingu Station on the Kishigawa Line. A one-day unlimited-ride pass is convenient for the three-shrine pilgrimage. The grounds are flat, but the approach is covered in gravel, so strollers may be difficult to push in some spots. Early morning has fewer visitors, allowing for a quiet visit, and goshuin stamps can be received at the shrine office on the grounds.