A Benzaiten shrine and sub-shrine (sessha) of Seto Shrine, set on a small round island called Biwajima at the tip of a causeway jutting into Hirakata Bay in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama. It is said that when Minamoto no Yoritomo founded Seto Shrine in the Kamakura period, his wife Hojo Masako enshrined here the Benzaiten of Chikubushima in Lake Biwa. Called Biwajima Benzaiten for the island's lute-like…

Origins

By tradition, when Minamoto no Yoritomo founded Seto Shrine in 1180 by enshrining the deity of Izu Mishima, his wife Hojo Masako enshrined the Benzaiten of Chikubushima in Omi Province, giving rise to Biwajima Benzaiten. A sub-shrine of Seto Shrine, it sits on a small round island reached by a short…

Pilgrimage Courses

Yokohama Kanazawa History Walk

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Divine Benefits

Matchmaking

Wealth & Fortune

Career Advancement

Performing Arts

Finding a partner, romantic success, marital harmony. Famed at Izumo Taisha, Jishu-jinja, and Kawagoe Hikawa.

As Benzaiten, the deity of music, the arts and wealth — and, as Risshin Benzaiten (named for the upright sacred image and Hojo Masako's rise in life), revered for advancement and worldly success.

Hiroshige "Eight Views of Kanazawa: Autumn Moon at Seto"

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Kanazawa Hakkei (Eight Views of Kanazawa) in Yokohama refers to eight scenic spots celebrated since the Edo period and immortalized in Hiroshige woodblock prints. The centerpiece is Biwajima Shrine and Seto Shrine, linked to Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hojo Masako. This guide covers history, how to visit, and pilgrimage routes.

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Shrine Pilgrimage at Bocchi the Rock! Sacred Sites

Discover the historic shrines featured in the anime Bocchi the Rock! From Biwajima Shrine in Kanazawa Hakkei to Enoshima Jinja on Enoshima Island, these sacred sites have deep roots in the Kamakura period. A pilgrimage guide for both anime fans and history enthusiasts.

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Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine (Yokohama, Kanazawa): The Original "Wave-Repelling Hachiman"

Tomioka Hachimangu in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, is the guardian shrine of the Tomioka area, said to have been founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo. Known as 'Namiyoke Hachiman' (wave-repelling Hachiman), it is the original shrine from which the famous Tomioka Hachimangu in Fukagawa, Tokyo was established. Enshrining three deities — Hachiman, Ebisu, and Amaterasu — it offers blessings for military valor, business prosperity, and protection from disaster.

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もっと詳しく · 4

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FAQ
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Can I receive a goshuin (shrine seal) at Biwajima Shrine?

Goshuin are issued at the office of the parent Seto Shrine. Two types are offered — Seto Shrine and Biwajima Shrine — each for an offering of 500 yen.

What deity is enshrined, and what blessings does it grant?

It enshrines Ichikishimahime (Benzaiten), revered for music and the arts, wealth and commerce, and good matches — and, as Risshin Benzaiten, for advancement and worldly success.

How do I get there? What is the nearest station?

About a 2-minute walk from Keikyu Kanazawa-hakkei Station. The shrine sits on Biwajima island at the tip of a causeway in Hirakata Bay, right beside Seto Shrine.

Is there an admission fee?

The grounds are open for free worship; no admission fee is required.