Hinokuma Jingū

Overview

Hinokuma Jingū and Kunikakasu Jingū (Hinokuma Shrine and Kunikakasu Shrine) constitute the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Kii Province, located in Akizuki, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, and stand as ancient shrines of the highest dignity with deep connections to the imperial ancestral deities. Hinokuma Jingū enshrines Hinokuma no Ōkami (worshipping the Hi-no-kata-no-Kagami, one of the sacred mirror objects of Amaterasu), while Kunikakasu Jingū enshrines Kunikakasu no Ōkami (worshipping the Hihoko-no-Kagami, another sacred mirror object of Amaterasu). The two shrines stand together in a single precinct in a unique configuration. In the Engishiki Jinmyōchō, both were ranked as Myōjin Taisha (Major Shrines of Famous Deities) and held the prestigious "Quasi-Imperial Festival Shrine" status second only to the Ise Grand Shrine.

History

The founding of Hinokuma Jingū and Kunikakasu Jingū traces back to the era of Emperor Jinmu's eastern campaign. According to the traditions of the Nihon Shoki, among the mirrors created by Ishikoridome no Mikoto as sacred objects of Amaterasu, the Hi-no-kata-no-Kagami was enshrined at Hinokuma Jingū and the Hihoko-no-Kagami at Kunikakasu Jingū. The Ki clan, the Kuni no Miyatsuko (provincial governors) of Kii Province, conducted the rituals at both shrines across generations, and the shrines received deep veneration from the imperial court since ancient times. In the Engishiki Jinmyōchō (927), both were ranked as Myōjin Taisha and especially positioned as "Quasi-Ise Grand Shrine" status, and under the modern shrine ranking system of the Meiji era, both were designated as Kanpei Taisha (Major Imperial Shrines). As the Ichinomiya of Kii Province with deep connections to imperial rituals, they stand among the most prestigious shrines of the Kansai region.

Highlights

The two shrines stand side by side in an expansive precinct, with Shinmei-zukuri style shrine architecture evoking the Ise Grand Shrine standing beautifully amid deep forest. The precincts span approximately 80,000 tsubo (about 26 hectares), and the sacred grove with its towering camphor trees has been designated as a Natural Monument of Wakayama Prefecture. The unique landscape of two main shrine halls standing parallel is unmatched elsewhere, allowing visitors to experience the core of imperial ancestral faith and ancient Japanese mirror worship. The precincts feature a water purification hall (mizubasha), divine gate (zuishin-mon), and treasure hall, preserving artifacts and ancient documents connected to the Ki clan provincial governors. The annual main festivals are held on April 26 (spring) and October 26 (autumn), featuring solemn gagaku court music dedications and sacred rituals.

Event Details and Access

The venue is Hinokuma Jingū and Kunikakasu Jingū (365 Akizuki, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture). Access is approximately 20 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by car from Wakayama Station on the JR lines, or approximately 2 minutes on foot from Hinokuma-gū Station on the Wakayama Dentetsu Kishigawa Line. The precincts are open for worship from early morning to evening (with specific viewing hours).

Surrounding Attractions

Wakayama City features a concentration of historical attractions including Wakayama Castle (the residence of the Kii Tokugawa family, one of the three Tokugawa branch families), Kimiidera Temple (the 2nd temple on the Saigoku Pilgrimage), Wakanoura and Tamatsushima Shrine, Saikazaki, and Kishū Tōshō-gū. Within Wakayama Prefecture, abundant tourism resources allow visitors to experience the faith, nature, and hot spring culture of the Kii Peninsula, including Mount Kōya (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred place of Shingon Buddhism), the Kumano Kodō pilgrimage routes (a World Heritage Site), Nachi Falls and Kumano Nachi Taisha, Shirahama Hot Spring, and Kushimoto Coast. Hinokuma Jingū and Kunikakasu Jingū have historically been important pilgrimage stops both before and after the Kumano pilgrimage.

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