白山神社

Hakusan Shrine


Useful Information

Location: Ichinoo, Oita, 870-0312.
(33.182278754291474, 131.76321577035114)
Open: no restrictions.
[2020]
Fee: free.
[2020]
Classification: GorgeGorge SubterraneaCave Church SpeleologyFracture Cave
Light: n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Hakusan Shrine, Ichinoo, Oita, 870-0312.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History


Description

白山神社 (Hakusan Shrine) is a narrow gorge in limestone. Due to the straightness and the flat walls, we are convinced that this gorge is a tectonic cave formed by widening. The name refers to the fact, that it is located on the summit of a limestone mountain. Hakusan literally means White Mountain, and is a result of the white colour of limestone. There are many locations in this area named with the adjective white in the name.

The shrine starts with a concrete portal, a kanji gate, and a long stone staircase uphill. It ends right before the opening of the gorge. The floor of the gorge is paved, as it is used as a shinto shrine. The gorge is met rectangular by a second, much wider crack, which offers a view on the valley below. There is an iron railing for safety and the shrine. About half of the gorge is covered by a huge block, the rest is open. This block, which looms over the shrine, adds to the weirdness of the site. The site is well maintained by the locals. The shrine has been worshiped by the locals for a long time, but recently it has become known as a power spot.