An Early Edo Shrine Hall in Mizusawa
The Hidaka Shrine Main Hall (日高神社本殿) is a shrine sanctuary built in 1632 at Hidaka Shrine in Hidaka-koji, Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on September 11, 1990. It is a three-bay nagare-zukuri hall, one of the few shrine sanctuaries in Iwate dating back to the early Edo period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a three-bay hall in the flowing-roof (Nagare-zukuri) style with a projection on the north side and a copper roof, dated to the early Edo period. It is owned by Hidaka Shrine.
The Shrine of Hidaka Myoken
According to the Agency, Hidaka Shrine has long drawn worshippers as a shrine to Myoken Bosatsu, the deity identified with the Pole Star, and has been known as "Hidaka Myoken".
The Iwate Tourism Association introduces it as the shrine of the Hidaka Hibuse fire-prevention festival, and notes a monument in the grounds to the stream where Minamoto no Yoshiie is said to have washed the sword with which he struck down Abe no Sadato.
Why It Was Designated
The Hidaka Shrine Main Hall was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1990. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes the distinctive form of details such as the head-tie beams of its porch, the quality of its workmanship, and its rarity as an Iwate shrine sanctuary going back to the early Edo period.
What to Look For
The Hidaka Shrine Main Hall is a three-bay flowing-roof hall with the roof extended forward over a porch and a projection on the north side, roofed in copper (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The detail the Agency singles out is the form of the head-tie beams of the porch. Stand in front and look up at the beam ends where they cap the porch pillars.
Visiting Hidaka Shrine
According to the Iwate Tourism Association, the shrine is open for worship from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From Mizusawa-Esashi Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen, take a bus about 15 minutes to the Mizusawa Station-dori stop and walk about 15 minutes; by car it is about 10 minutes from the Mizusawa Interchange. The address is 13-13 Hidaka-koji, Mizusawa, Oshu City; telephone 0197-23-4021. We found no information on interior access to the sanctuary.
Q&A
- When was the Hidaka Shrine Main Hall built?
- In 1632 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What style is the Hidaka Shrine Main Hall?
- A three-bay nagare-zukuri hall with a north projection and copper roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why is the Hidaka Shrine Main Hall an Important Cultural Property?
- For its distinctive porch details, fine workmanship and rarity as an early Edo shrine hall in Iwate (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is worshipped at Hidaka Shrine?
- Myoken Bosatsu, linked with the Pole Star; the shrine is known as Hidaka Myoken (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What are the visiting hours for Hidaka Shrine?
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; about 10 minutes by car from the Mizusawa Interchange (Iwate Tourism Association).
Basic Information
| Name | Hidaka Shrine Main Hall (日高神社本殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | 13-13 Hidaka-koji, Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1990/9/11 (Heisei 2) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Three-bay nagare-zukuri, north projection, copper roof |
| Owner | Hidaka Shrine |
| Public Access | Grounds open for worship (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) |
References
- Hidaka Shrine Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/100
- Hidaka Shrine (Iwate Tourism Association)
- https://iwatetabi.jp/spots/4321/
Last verified: 2026.10.06