Toyokuni Shrine, Shinto shrines in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
Toyokuni Shrine is a small Shinto shrine on Mount Utatsu in Kanazawa with simple wooden gates and a roof covered in dark tiles. The grounds feature traditional Japanese architecture including a torii gate at the entrance and stone statues of foxes and lions that guard the space.
The shrine was founded in 1616 to honor Toyotomi Hideyoshi, an influential leader, and Maeda Toshitsune, the founder of the local domain. It relocated to its current location on the mountain in 1908 and has remained a community site ever since.
The shrine honors Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a prominent leader from Japan's past, and Maeda Toshitsune, the founder of the local domain. You will see locals leaving small offerings and performing traditional rituals such as washing hands and mouth before praying, keeping customs that have passed down through generations.
The shrine is relatively easy to reach from central Kanazawa and sits in quiet, green surroundings on the hillside. It is a peaceful place to explore at your own pace, away from busier streets, where you can take time for reflection and watch local practices.
The shrine is part of a group of three shrines on Mount Utatsu, known as the Mount Utatsu Three Shrines, forming a small sacred area together. This proximity to Utatsu Shrine and Atago Shrine makes it a special place where visitors can explore multiple traditional sites in a short time.
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