A Mountain Shrine Hall with Older Echoes
The Shirahige Shrine Main Hall (白髯神社本殿) is the main hall of a shrine of the Momoyama period (1573 to 1614) in Kinasa Hikage, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 27, 1959 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a one-bay nagare-style hall roofed with wooden shingles; designation number 01444.
A One-Bay Nagare Hall in the Mountains
The Shirahige Shrine Main Hall stands in the mountains west of Nagano City, at Kinasa Hikage: a one-bay nagare-style hall roofed with wooden shingles (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency says its date of construction is unknown but probably around the Momoyama period. Being in a remote mountain area, it keeps some features of the earlier Muromachi style, along with regional character.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency values it as precious for understanding the culture of the region. It was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 27, 1959.
What to Look For
Look for the shingled nagare roof and the details that keep the Muromachi style (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
No official information on visiting the shrine was found.
Q&A
- When was the Shirahige Shrine Main Hall built?
- Its date is unknown, probably around the Momoyama period.
- What style is the main hall?
- A one-bay nagare style with a shingled roof.
- What is distinctive about it?
- It keeps Muromachi features and regional character.
- How is Kinasa read?
- Ki-na-sa, according to the Japan Post postcode data.
- When was the Shirahige Shrine Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On June 27, 1959 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Shirahige Shrine Main Hall (白髯神社本殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kinasa Hikage, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1959/06/27 (Showa 34) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | One-bay nagare style, shingled roof |
| Owner | Shirahige Shrine |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Shirahige Shrine Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/1028
Last verified: 2026.10.17
