A History Closely Connected with Kokawadera
The history of Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine is closely connected with the origins of Kokawadera Temple. Kokawadera is traditionally said to have been founded in 770, during the Nara period.
According to tradition, Otomo Funanushi, the son of Otomo Kushiko, who is associated with the founding of Kokawadera, invited the tutelary deities worshipped by villages in Kamigaki-no-sho to the area in 783. A shrine was then established to protect Kokawadera and its surrounding community.
For many centuries, the shrine served as the temple’s guardian and became an important center of local religious life. However, in 1585, the forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Kishu during his campaign to bring the region under his control. Kokawadera and the shrine were both destroyed by fire.
The shrine was subsequently rebuilt. During the Edo period, it received the strong patronage of the Tokugawa family, the lords of Kishu, and gradually regained its importance and prosperity.
Separation from the Temple in the Meiji Era
For much of Japanese history, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples existed together as part of a shared religious tradition. This relationship changed dramatically during the Meiji period, when the government introduced policies separating Shinto and Buddhism.
Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine consequently began its modern history as an independent Shinto shrine rather than as part of Kokawadera Temple.
Several surrounding shrines were later incorporated into Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine. Niibu Shrine and Okami Shrine were merged with the shrine in 1912, followed by Tenpuku Shrine in 1919. These mergers strengthened its role as a guardian shrine serving the wider local community.
Elegant Shrine Architecture and Sacred Surroundings
The shrine grounds contain beautiful Kasuga-zukuri style shrine buildings that were reconstructed during the middle of the Edo period. Their elegant proportions and traditional architectural details provide an excellent example of historic Japanese shrine architecture.
The main sanctuary is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by Kinokawa City and is carefully preserved for future generations.
Behind the shrine rises Mount Fumozan. A Buddhist sutra mound, or kyozuka, has been discovered on the mountain, providing valuable evidence that the surrounding area has been regarded as a sacred place for many centuries.
The Sacred Space of Rokushadan
Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine stands in an area known as Rokushadan, located between the main hall of Kokawadera Temple and Mount Fumozan.
The name is traditionally associated with six small shrines or sacred sites that once stood here. The area was already regarded as a place of exceptional spiritual significance many centuries ago and is described in the Heike Monogatari, or Tale of the Heike, as a group of six shrines renowned for their extraordinary spiritual power.
Numerous subsidiary shrines can be found throughout the grounds. These include Okami Shrine, Susa Shrine, Kumano Shrine, Yoshino Shrine, Gosha Shrine, Hakusan Shrine, and Inari Shrine.
The presence of these different shrines creates a rich spiritual landscape where visitors can encounter a variety of Japanese religious traditions and pray for different forms of blessings.
The Stage for the Famous Kokawa Festival
One of the most important events associated with Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine is the Kokawa Festival, held every year on the final Saturday and Sunday of July.
The festival is considered one of the three major festivals of Kishu and is one of the most important traditional events in the local community.
A highlight is the To-gyo-shiki procession, a solemn ceremony conducted according to traditional customs. The procession is said to recreate the triumphant return of Otomo Funanushi after a military campaign in the northeastern part of Japan.
Participants dressed in traditional costumes take part in the procession, creating a spectacular scene that brings the history and legends of the region vividly to life.
Important Cultural Heritage
The To-gyo-shiki procession of the Kokawa Festival has been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Wakayama Prefecture. This recognition reflects the importance of the festival as a living tradition that preserves the history, beliefs, and cultural identity of the local community.
The shrine’s main sanctuary and the main sanctuary of Tenpuku Shrine are also registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Kinokawa City.
For visitors interested in traditional Japanese culture, these historic buildings and ceremonies provide an opportunity to see how local religious traditions have been passed down from generation to generation.
Visiting Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine
Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine can be reached in approximately 20 minutes on foot from JR Kokawa Station. Visitors can also take a bus to the Kokawadera bus stop and walk for approximately five minutes.
By car, the shrine is approximately 10 minutes from the Kinokawa Interchange, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring northern Wakayama by car.
Because the shrine is closely connected with Kokawadera Temple, visiting both sites together is highly recommended. Exploring them as a pair allows visitors to better understand the long history of Shinto-Buddhist coexistence and the religious culture of Japan.
The peaceful grounds also provide a pleasant place to slow down, admire traditional architecture, and reflect on the history of the surrounding mountains and villages.
A Living Center of Local Faith
Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine is more than a historic sightseeing destination. It remains a living place of faith closely connected with the daily lives and traditions of the local community.
The prayers, festivals, architecture, and natural surroundings found here all reflect a religious tradition that has developed over more than a thousand years. The shrine’s history also illustrates the complex relationship between Shinto and Buddhism that shaped Japanese culture for centuries.
Discover the Spiritual Heritage of Kokawa
A visit to Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine offers an opportunity to experience a quieter side of Wakayama, away from the region’s major tourist destinations.
Combined with a visit to Kokawadera Temple, the shrine provides a fascinating journey through Japanese religious history, traditional architecture, local festivals, and mountain spirituality.
Take a peaceful walk through the historic grounds, admire the elegant shrine buildings, and imagine the generations of worshippers who have visited this sacred place. For travelers interested in history and culture, Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine is a rewarding destination where the traditions of the past continue to live on today.