Oyama Jinja Shrine was originally established in the Utatsuyama area of Kanazawa in 1599. At that time it was called Utatsu Hachimangu Shrine. It was moved to its current location in 1873 and renamed Oyama Jinja. The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Lord Toshiie Maeda and his wife Omatsu. Lord Toshiie Maeda was an important general during the Warring States Period in Japan and the founder of the Kaga Domain, which the Maeda family ruled from nearby Kanazawa Castle until 1868.
The main building of the shrine
The current shrine was built upon the site of a former Maeda family villa. The stroll garden and pond of the shrine originally belonged to the villa and dates from the Edo period.
The shrine gate dates from 1875 and is unusual as it shows a mixture of Japanese, Chinese, and Western styles. It is most famous for the colored glass windows on the third floor. The third floor was once lit, and is said to have served as a lighthouse-like marker for ships off Kanaiwa. Though the gate was unpopular when it was first built, in 1950 in recognition of its unique style it was officially designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
The unusual shrine gate
The garden was originally designed by Kobori Enshu (1579-1647) a famous gardener and architect of the Momoyama era. The outline of the pond is shaped to resemble a biwa or Japanese lute. It has three islands and a decorative bridge all connected by stepping stones and a zig-zag wooden bridge, called “yatsuhashi” in Japanese.
The shrine has a stroll garden and pond
A statue depicts Lord Toshiie Maeda, founder of the Kaga Domain
Lord Toshiie Maeda’s wife, Omatsu is depicted on a nearby rock
Look out for the sculpture depicting Toshiie Maeda’s wife, Omatsu, who was known for her intelligence and diplomatic skills. She was a great help to her husband during Japan’s Warring States Period, and was very popular in Kanazawa too. Perhaps because of the success of their marriage, many people pray for a happy marriage at this shrine.
At the top of this tribute to the Maeda clan is a copy of Toshiie Maeda’s long golden war helmet which was shaped like a catfish tail. The original was made of leather and covered in gold leaf
Access
Oyama Shrine is located to the west of Kanazawa Castle Park and is a 10 minute walk south from Omicho Ichiba Market. From Kanazawa Station’s East Gate Bus Terminal, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus from bus stop 7 and get off at Minami-cho/Oyama Jinja Shrine. The left loop reaches the stop in about 8 minutes; the right loop also stops there but travels around the city first. The adult fare is 220 yen. From the bus stop it is about a 3 minute walk to the shrine.
The shrine is open daily. The amulet and goshuin office is open from 9:00 to 17:00, and the Shinmon gate is illuminated from after sunset until 22:00.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 22-May-2026.
