Hakusan Shrine in Yuzawa, Akita: A Healing Journey to the Statue of the Goddess of Mercy and the Secret of Mountain Goddesses

A trip to Hakusan Shrine in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, was a serene time to spend with family. The majestic shrine pavilion on the mountaintop guarded by a statue of a late Heian period goddess, the mystery of the moss-covered approach, the fresh local wild vegetable dishes, and the joy of a leisurely stroll at the foot of Mt. All were moments when nature and history came alive. Here are my recommendations for the best of what my family and I discovered on this trip to Hakusan Shrine. Quiet prayer in the shrine pavilion, the legend of the goddess statue, exploring the surrounding mountain paths, and resting in a comfortable inn. This trip will surely leave a deep aftertaste in your heart. Why not strengthen a special bond with your family or loved ones in the pure mountains of Akita? Overseas visitors can also enjoy this tour with English-language information boards and apps.

Morning: Climb the approach to the shrine and experience history at the shrine pavilion

Arrive at Yuzawa Station in the morning and drive 20 minutes to Hakusan Shrine. Located at the top of a mountain in Matsuoka Hosokoshi, Yuzawa City, this ancient shrine has a history dating back to the late Heian period and is associated with the legend of Tamuramaro Sakagami. On an autumn morning when we visited, children’s eyes lit up as they climbed the moss-covered approach to the shrine, saying, ” It looks like a secret base in the forest! my children’s eyes lit up. My husband and I climbed the stone steps to the main shrine building. The main shrine, built in 1745 in the irimoya style, was impressive for its unique shape protruding from the sloping ground. The time we spent making money offerings and joining our hands together seemed to purify our hearts. An English interpretation panel explained the history of the shrine in detail, and I saw people visiting the shrine together with hikers from overseas, creating a pleasant international atmosphere. The shrine pavilions are perfect for families to relax and experience the tradition.

Worship is free, and the shrine grounds are open 24 hours a day (shrine office is open from 9:00 to 17:00). Check the official website ( Hakusan Shrine ) for access (30 minutes from Yuzawa IC) and cultural asset information. 2025 autumn will bring a beautiful contrast between the autumn leaves and the shrine pavilion.

Morning: Legend of the Goddess Statue and the Mystery of the Mountain Top

After visiting the shrine pavilions, we prayed to the statue of the Goddess of Mercy in the inner sanctuary. The statue is believed to have been created in the late Heian period (794-1185) and is sacred to the legend of King Aguro. As we stood in front of the statue in the autumn mist, the children were quietly moved, saying, ” It’s a statue of a princess! I was quietly moved. My husband and I joined hands in imagining the statue’s origin and felt the wind on the mountaintop as a family. A sign in English briefly summarized the history of the statue, and it was heartening to see tourists from overseas taking notes in their notebooks. The mystery of the Goddess Statue is perfect for stimulating the family’s imagination.

Admission is free, and no advance reservations are required. For more information, visit the official website ( Hakusan Shrine Goddess Statue ); in the spring of 2025, the statue is especially divine in its fresh green color.

Lunch: Lunch of wild vegetables and river fish at a local restaurant

With the lingering memory of the mysticism in mind, head to ” Yamazato no Aji” near the shrine for lunch. This 5-minute drive from the shrine, this eatery serves rustic dishes made with local wild vegetables and river fish. As we entered the warm, wooden restaurant, the background music like a murmuring river was pleasant. I ordered the Sansai Soba Set (1,000 yen). The soba with fresh river fish tempura and seasonal wild vegetables was a hit with the kids, who said, ” The taste of the mountains is so fresh! My husband added a glass of locally brewed sake. My husband added a glass of locally brewed sake and said with satisfaction, “This simple flavor is the heart of Akita. I, too, was impressed by the dish accented with the sour taste of pickled plums. An English menu was also available, and it was heartwarming to see hikers from overseas enjoying themselves next to us. Lunch at a local diner is a great source of energy after a visit to the shrine.

Open from 11:00 to 14:00 (L.O. 13:30). During busy times, it is recommended to aim for weekdays. For more information, please check the official website ( Taste of Yamazato ). While other Akita delicacies are tempting, the sansai soba (buckwheat noodles) is one dish that can easily be shared with the whole family.

Afternoon: Nature walk on a mountain path in Matsuoka Hosokoshi

After lunch, take a 10-minute drive to the Matsuoka-Hosokoshi mountain trail. The trail leading from the top of Mt. Hakusan is a light hiking course (about 1 km, 30 minutes) with beautiful autumn leaves. Children were excited as they stepped on fallen leaves and said, ” Let’s explore the forest! while stepping on fallen leaves. I walked with my husband, listening to the murmuring of the river, and took a rest on a bench along the way. An English trail map guided us along the way, and we even had the chance to meet some hikers from overseas. At a spot where subterranean water from Mt. Chokai gushed forth, we took some water and toasted together as a family, a memorable experience that will stay with us forever. This walk is a perfect way to move from the mystery of the shrine to the serenity of nature.

Free, recommended 9:00-16:00. For more information, visit the official website ( Matsuoka Hosokoshi Hiking ). autumn foliage hiking will be popular among foreign hikers in fall 2025.

Evening: Warmth of Hot Water at Kinpu Onsen

After an afternoon walk, head to Kinpu Onsen in the evening. This hot spring, a 15-minute drive from the shrine, features alkaline hot water for beautiful skin. The open-air bath the family took had a gentle view of the mountains from the window, and the children were relaxed, saying, ” The hot water is so warm! and the children were relaxed. The time spent in the bathtub with my husband, reflecting on the day, was a relaxing experience. English bathing guides are available, and seeing tourists from overseas enjoying themselves next to us made me realize that this is an international place for healing. Kinpon Onsen is the perfect place to gently relieve the fatigue of a family.

Admission is 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. Open from 10:00 to 22:00. For more information, please visit the official website ( Geumbong Hot Spring ) In the autumn of 2025, the autumn foliage open-air is recommended for foreigners.

Evening: Mountain rest at the Geumpo Hot Spring Hotel

After the hot springs, check into the Gimpo Hot Springs Hotel for dinner. This inn, a 10-minute drive from the waterfall, boasts family-friendly Japanese-style rooms. The rooms with mountain views have spacious tatami mats, and it is relaxing to see children rolling around on the futon. Dinner was a kaiseki meal of local ingredients, and the tempura of wild vegetables and grilled river fish were a hit with the kids, who were especially surprised by the ume-flavored dessert. At breakfast, freshly baked rice and fresh miso soup were impressive. The warm hospitality of the staff was also pleasant, and I was delighted to receive a book of local folktales as a gift for my children. The open-air bath was beautiful with a starry night sky, and my family and I reflected on the day as we soaked in the hot water. The serenity of the mountainous surroundings deepened the lingering memories of our trip.

Accommodation plans start at around 20,000 yen per room per night with half board. You can also choose a room with an open-air bath. For details, please check the official website ( Gimpo Onsen Hotel ). Other hotels near Hakusan Shrine are also attractive, but this hotel’s mountain healing is exceptional.

Tips to fully enjoy your Hakusan Shrine Trip

There are a few things to keep in mind to fully enjoy your Hakusan Shrine trip. First, for transportation, we used the Yuzawa IC as our base and utilized our car. The shrine and hot springs are within walking distance, but if you are bringing children, renting a car (about 5,000 yen per day) is convenient. If you visit the shrine first thing in the morning, you will have the quiet shrine grounds all to yourself. Make reservations in advance to see the goddess statues, and use an English-language guidebook to help foreign visitors better understand the site. Share a bowl of sansai soba (buckwheat noodles) at Yamazato Taste, and choose a 1 km course for an afternoon stroll. Avoid crowds by taking an evening bath at the Geumho Hot Springs, and consult with the Geumpo Hot Springs Hotel about open-air bath times after check-in; the 2025 annual festival (June) has a full lineup of local events and more English panels. Check the official website for seasonal attractions (fresh greenery in spring, autumn foliage in fall) to make your trip even more colorful. Don’t forget to keep children hydrated and insect repellant, and international visitors should take advantage of the English maps.

The mysterious mountain of Hakusan Shrine brought smiles to our family’s faces. When the children saw the goddess statue, ” I want to come back! ” was the best thing we could have said.

Private Wisdom Summary

The Hakusan Shrine trip fulfilled the spiritual richness and sensitivity that Private Wisdom values. The quiet worship at the shrine purified my mind, and the legend of the goddess statue gave my family the joy of experiencing the mysteries of history. The mountain village taste of wild vegetable dishes was a warm time to experience the bounty of Akita, and the open-air bath at the Kanaura Onsen Hotel gently soothed the fatigue of the trip. A walk at the foot of Mt. Chokai added a special depth to the trip. You, too, can experience the pure charm of Hakusan Shrine and have a heartwarming trip with your family and loved ones. In the comments, please share with us your favorite experiences at Hakusan Shrine!