Hakoshima Jinja (箱島神社)

About

Hakoshima Shrine on its island, known as the "Dragon Palace on the Sea." Source: Chinkaiseki Hachimangu Official Website

Hakoshima Jinja (箱島神社), whose name translates to "Box Island Shrine," is a small but culturally significant Shinto shrine perched on a tiny rocky island jutting into the sea along Itoshima's scenic Nijo Hamakubo coastline. The shrine's most distinctive feature is its location—surrounded by sea on three sides, creating a mystical appearance that evokes the legendary Ryugu (Dragon Palace) from Japanese mythology. 🔗

During the Edo period (1603-1868), this scenic spot was celebrated as a representation of the mythical Dragon Palace Castle and featured fancy restaurants from 1916 to 1943, serving as a popular destination for those seeking the romantic atmosphere of a waterborne paradise. 🔗 Historical postcards from this era depict the location as "Suigo Hakoshima - Chidori no Yusho" (Water Village Hakoshima - Plovers at Evening), emphasizing its poetic natural beauty. 🔗

Cultural & Religious Significance

The shrine enshrines three important deities, each with distinct significance:

1. Sayarimasu-Mihashira-no-Okami (塞坐三柱大神) - The village guardian deity protecting the local region
2. Nishinomiya Daimyojin (西宮大明神) - Known as Ebisu, the god of business prosperity
3. Aizen Myoo (愛染明王) - The god of love, believed to help with romance, marriage, harmony, and beauty 🔗

The presence of Aizen Myoo, a Buddhist deity enshrined at a Shinto shrine, reflects Japan's historical syncretism between Buddhism and Shinto (shinbutsu-shugo). Aizen Myoo, whose name means "Wisdom King of Passionate Love," represents the Buddhist concept of transforming earthly desires and passionate love into spiritual wisdom and enlightenment. This unique combination of deities makes Hakoshima Shrine a distinctive spiritual site.

In recent years, the shrine experienced a renaissance in popularity. Starting in 2019, it began offering goshuin (temple stamps), which sparked renewed interest among both Japanese and international visitors. The shrine has become particularly popular as a "spiritual place" and "power spot" for love and relationships, with many women visiting to seek blessings for romance and marriage. Foreign tourists have compared the island's mysterious atmosphere to something from a Studio Ghibli film. 🔗 🔗

The shrine also holds an unusual distinction as the "god of ears" (耳の神様), with a unique ritual involving dedicated fire-breathing bamboo tubes. According to tradition, visitors can blow into their ears using these special bamboo implements, believed to cure ear diseases and ailments. 🔗

Hakoshima Shrine remains an uninhabited island with no permanent shrine office or staff, managed by the nearby Chinkaiseki Hachimangu Shrine and maintained by local residents. This unmanned status adds to its mystical, untouched quality. 🔗

Visiting Information

Operating Hours:

• Open 24/7 for worship (no official operating hours)
• No shrine office or staff present on the island
• Accessibility depends on tide levels—island is inaccessible during high tide 🔗

Admission: Free (no admission fee)

Access from Itoshima Retreat House:

• Distance: Approximately 5-7 km
• Driving Time: Approximately 10-15 minutes
• Both the accommodation (3-chōme-1-565-1 Nijōfukae) and shrine (86 Nijo Hamakubo) are in the Nijo area of Itoshima
• Look for the "Hakoshima" (箱島) signboard marking the entrance 🔗

Parking Options:

1. Coin Parking (Kafuri side): ¥200, 4-minute walk to shrine 🔗
2. Restaurant Parking: ¥300, immediate access (0-minute walk) 🔗
3. Kafuri Park Parking: Free, 9-minute walk 🔗

IMPORTANT PARKING WARNING: The entire area around Hakoshima Shrine is a no-parking zone with strict enforcement. Parking violations can result in a ¥15,000 fine. Street parking, residential area parking, and unauthorized use of restaurant parking lots are strictly prohibited. 🔗

Public Transportation:

• From JR Kafuri Station: 4-minute walk to coin parking area 🔗
• From JR Ikisan Station: 25 minutes walking 🔗

Current Status: Open and accessible (as of research date). Concrete walkway now connects to the island, replacing the former bridge, allowing access even during high tide periods. 🔗

Goshuin (Temple Stamp):

• NOT available at Hakoshima Shrine (no office)
• Available at Chinkaiseki Hachimangu Shrine: 2143-1 Nijo-fukae, Itoshima City
• Distance: 4.6 km (9 minutes by car) from Hakoshima Shrine 🔗
• Cost: ¥500 | Contact: 092-325-0309

The Experience

Island Exploration: Approach the shrine via the entrance marked by a "Hakoshima" signboard along National Route 202. Descend the unpaved path to reach the first torii gate at the shoreline. Cross the concrete walkway connecting the mainland to the island—this modern addition replaced an older bridge structure. 🔗

Once on the island, navigate natural rock steps carved into the terrain. These weathered stone pathways wind upward through the small island's rugged landscape. The main shrine structure (honden) sits atop the rocky outcrop, featuring traditional vermillion-colored architecture characteristic of Shinto shrines. 🔗

Ritual Participation: Look for the unique fire-breathing bamboo tubes (fire-blowing bamboo) dedicated at the shrine. According to local tradition, visitors can use these bamboo implements to blow air into their ears as a ritual believed to cure ear diseases and ailments related to hearing. This unusual practice reflects the shrine's role as the "god of ears." 🔗

Photography Opportunities: The island's 360-degree coastal setting provides exceptional photographic compositions:

• The torii gate framed against the sea and sky
• Views from the shrine looking back toward the mainland
• The shrine structure perched on rocky terrain
• Sunset shots with the sun setting over the water (year-round highlight)
• Winter "god rays" filtering through clouds and mist 🔗

Note: Visitors often queue for optimal photography spots, particularly during sunset hours. 🔗

Scenic Views: From near the torii gate area, visitors can see the majestic profile of Mount Kaya (also called "Itoshima Fuji") rising in the distance—a sacred mountain that anchors the Itoshima Peninsula's spiritual landscape. 🔗

Annual Festival: The shrine holds its annual festival (reitaisai) on April 21st at 2:00 PM, featuring traditional ceremonies and local community participation. 🔗

Practical Visiting Tips

November Seasonal Considerations:

• Temperatures: Mild autumn weather, typically 10-18°C (50-64°F)
• Comfortable for outdoor coastal exploration
• Less humidity than summer months
• Sea breezes can be cool; bring light jacket
• November is off-peak season with fewer crowds than summer
• Sunset around 5:15-5:30 PM in early November
• Autumn light offers warm, golden tones ideal for photography 🔗

Photography Tips:

• Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset for golden hour lighting
• Bring wide-angle lens to capture the island, torii, and seascape together
• Tide pools and rocky textures provide interesting foreground elements
• Patience required as other visitors queue for best photo spots 🔗

Crowd Avoidance Strategies:

• Visit early morning (sunrise) for solitude and different lighting
• Weekday mornings particularly quiet
• Avoid weekend afternoons during good weather

Local Etiquette:

• Standard Shinto shrine etiquette applies: bow upon passing through torii gate; when praying at the honden: bow twice, clap twice, bow once
• Respect the unmanned, sacred nature of the site—no littering
• Be considerate when photographing; don't monopolize prime spots
• Watch footing on natural rock steps, especially when wet
• Respect parking regulations strictly to avoid ¥15,000 fines

Safety Considerations:

• Rocky terrain can be slippery when wet—wear appropriate footwear with good grip
• Watch children carefully near water and on rock steps
• No lifeguards or emergency services on the small island
• Limited cell phone signal possible on the island
• Walking from bus stops involves roads without sidewalks—exercise caution 🔗

Nearby Attractions:

• Chinkaiseki Hachimangu Shrine (4.6 km, 9 minutes by car): Parent shrine managing Hakoshima, source for goshuin stamps 🔗
• Sakurai Shrine & Futamigaura (Meoto Iwa): Famous white torii gate in the sea, easily combined in same day itinerary
• Mount Kaya (Itoshima Fuji): Visible from Hakoshima Shrine, sacred mountain of the peninsula

Location: View on Google Maps

Source: attractions/itoshima/hakoshima-jinja.md