Oyama Shrine

Oyama Shrine (尾山神社, Oyama-jinja) stands as a monumental tribute to Maeda Toshiie, the powerful patriarch of the Maeda clan who transformed Kanazawa into a cultural powerhouse. Originally established in 1599 on Mount Utatsu, the shrine was relocated to its current site—formerly part of the Kanazawa Castle’s palace grounds—in 1873. While the shrine honors the warrior spirit of the Edo period, its architecture reflects the bold, international curiosity of the early Meiji era.

The shrine’s showstopper is undoubtedly its Shin-mon Gate. Built in 1875, this three-story structure is a defiant fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and European aesthetics. The third floor features vibrant Dutch-style stained glass windows that once glowed as a lighthouse for ships on the Sea of Japan. Topping the gate is Japan’s very first lightning rod, a testament to the region’s forward-thinking embrace of Western technology. On the grounds, look for the statue of Toshiie in his iconic “Golden Catfish” helmet and a stone carving of his formidable wife, Omatsu. Behind the main hall, a quiet stroll garden features a bridge designed to look like a koto (Japanese harp), offering a peaceful retreat from the modern city surrounding it.

Visitor Information
Address	11-1 Oyamamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0918 (Google Maps)
Opening Hours	Shrine Grounds: 24 hours / Amulet Office: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price	Free
Website	Visit Website

Access
Station / Stop	Line / Bus	Access Details
Minamicho / Oyama Jinja	Kanazawa Loop Bus / Kenrokuen Shuttle	A 3-minute walk from the bus stop
Kanazawa Station	JR Hokuriku Line	A 10-minute bus ride or a 20-minute walk southeast