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Mountains · Ishikawa, Gifu

Hakusan

白山はくさんHakusan

The white holy mountain of Hokuriku, source of Japan's Hakusan faith.

Hakusan (白山, "white mountain") is an active volcano on the border of Ishikawa and Gifu prefectures whose highest peak, Gozengamine, reaches 2,702 m. Opened by the monk Taichō in 717 and counted with Fuji and Tateyama among Japan's three holy mountains, it is the origin of some 2,000 Hakusan shrines across the country.

Elevation: 2,702 mActive volcanoNational park · 1962100 Famous MountainsSacred site
National park: Hakusan National Park

Overview

Hakusan rises above the Hokuriku coast, its broad summit visible from Kanazawa and the Sea of Japan as a white dome for more than half the year – hence its name. The summit area consists of three main peaks around a group of crater lakes: Gozengamine (2,702 m), Ken-ga-mine and Ōnanji-mine, with the Murodō plateau below. Rivers born on its slopes – the Tedori, Kuzuryū, Nagara and Shō – water four prefectures.

Hakusan is one of the great religious mountains of Japan. The monk Taichō is said to have reached its summit in 717, and a network of mountain temples and shrines grew around three pilgrim approaches from Kaga, Echizen and Mino. Today the Shirayama Hime Jinja in Ishikawa is the head of the Hakusan shrines spread throughout the country.

Landscape and formation

Hakusan is a composite volcano built on old granite and sedimentary rock of the Hida belt. The present summit cone, Shin-Hakusan, formed within the last few tens of thousands of years; a sector collapse left a horseshoe-shaped depression on the north-west side. The summit plateau holds seven crater lakes, including Midorigaike and Konpira-ike, some of which stay frozen well into summer.

The last eruption, in 1659, was small. The mountain receives very heavy winter snowfall, which feeds snowfields on the upper slopes until August and supports extensive alpine meadows.

Highlights

  • Gozengamine

    御前峰Gozengamine

    The highest peak, with the Okumiya inner shrine of Shirayama Hime Jinja; the classic sunrise viewpoint.

  • Crater lakes circuit

    お池めぐりo-ike meguri

    A loop around the summit crater lakes, about 1.5 hours, passing snowfields and volcanic rock.

  • Murodō

    室堂Murodō

    The plateau below the summit at about 2,450 m with the Okumiya shrine hall and a large lodge.

  • Minamiryū-ga-baba

    南竜ヶ馬場Minamiryū-ga-banba

    A flower meadow and camping area south of the summit.

Ecology

Hakusan marks the western limit of the high alpine zone in Japan: no higher mountain lies to the west. Its flora is remarkably rich, with meadows of lilies, primroses and anemones on the upper slopes, and the forests below hold one of the largest beech stands in central Japan. Hakusan is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (1980).

Flora

  • Kuroyuri

    クロユリkuroyuri

    The dark-purple chocolate lily, symbol of Hakusan and Ishikawa's prefectural flower.

  • Hakusan-kozakura

    ハクサンコザクラhakusan-kozakura

    A pink alpine primrose that forms carpets around snowmelt pools.

  • Hakusan-ichige

    ハクサンイチゲhakusan-ichige

    A white anemone of the summer meadows.

  • Beech forest

    ブナbuna

    Extensive natural beech forests on the lower slopes.

Fauna

  • Golden eagle

    イヌワシinuwashi

    Breeds in the steep valleys around Hakusan.

  • Asian black bear

    ツキノワグマtsukinowaguma

    Common in the beech forests of the approach valleys.

  • Rock ptarmigan

    ライチョウraichō

    Historically resident; after decades of absence a single bird was recorded in 2009.

Culture

Hakusan belief venerates the mountain as the goddess Kukurihime, identified in Buddhist syncretism with the Eleven-headed Kannon. Three pilgrim bases (the "three baba") developed at Kaga (Ishikawa), Echizen (Fukui) and Mino (Gifu), each with its own temple-shrine complex. Pilgrimage peaked in the medieval period, and Hakusan shrines were founded all over Japan. Villages at the foot, including Shirakawa-gō, lay on the old approach routes.

  • Shirayama Hime Jinja

    白山比咩神社Shirayama Hime Jinja

    Head shrine of the Hakusan shrines, in Hakusan city, Ishikawa; its inner shrine stands on Gozengamine.

  • Heisenji Hakusan Jinja

    平泉寺白山神社Heisenji Hakusan Jinja

    The moss-covered former temple-city of the Echizen approach in Katsuyama, Fukui.

  • Nagataki Hakusan Jinja

    長滝白山神社Nagataki Hakusan Jinja

    The Mino base in Gujō, Gifu, known for its Rokunichi-sai festival on 6 January.

History

  1. 717

    Traditional date of the monk Taichō's first ascent and opening of Hakusan.

  2. Heian period

    Pilgrim bases develop at Kaga, Echizen and Mino.

  3. 1659

    The most recent eruption.

  4. 1962

    Hakusan National Park is designated.

  5. 1980

    Hakusan is recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Through the seasons

Spring

Deep snow until June; the Hakusan Shirakawa-gō White Road usually opens in early June, but the upper mountain is still wintry.

Summer

The climbing season from July to mid-October, with the flower meadows at their best in July and early August.

Autumn

Autumn colours spread down from the summit from late September; the White Road is a popular drive in October.

Winter

Hakusan lies under heavy snow; winter ascents are for experienced mountaineers only.

Routes and trails

  • Sabō-shindō from Bettō-deai

    The most popular route: about 4 hours to Murodō and 40 minutes more to Gozengamine; well-maintained, moderate.

  • Kankō-shindō

    A steeper, flower-rich route from Bettō-deai along a ridge, often used for the descent; about 3–4 hours down.

  • Hirase route (Gifu)

    From Ōshirakawa on the Gifu side, about 5 hours; a long, quieter approach through beech forest.

  • Kaga Zenjōdō

    The long historic pilgrim ridge route from the Ishikawa side, typically over two days.

Practical notes

  • During the peak summer weeks and autumn weekends, private cars are restricted beyond Ichinose and a shuttle bus runs to Bettō-deai; check Hakusan city or Ishikawa Prefecture for current arrangements.
  • The Murodō lodge requires reservations; camping is permitted only at Minamiryū-ga-baba.
  • Hakusan is monitored as an active volcano; see the Japan Meteorological Agency's volcano pages for current information.
  • Bears are common in the approach valleys; carry a bell and store food carefully.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to climb Hakusan?

From Bettō-deai on the Ishikawa side the ascent to the Murodō plateau takes about 4 hours, and Gozengamine is another 40 minutes. Most hikers stay overnight at the Murodō lodge to see the sunrise from the summit.

Is Hakusan an active volcano?

Yes. The Japan Meteorological Agency lists Hakusan as an active volcano; its last eruption was in 1659, and small earthquakes are recorded beneath it from time to time.

Why are so many plants named after Hakusan?

Hakusan was the first high mountain in Japan where Western-trained botanists collected systematically in the Meiji era, so many alpine species – Hakusan-ichige, Hakusan-kozakura and others – received its name.

How is the trailhead reached?

Bettō-deai is reached by road from Hakusan city in Ishikawa; in the peak summer weeks private cars are stopped at Ichinose and a shuttle bus runs to the trailhead. Kanazawa is the nearest large city.

Related

Sources

  1. 1.日本の主な山岳標高 (opens in a new tab) — 国土地理院 (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)
  2. 2.白山国立公園 (opens in a new tab) — 環境省 (Ministry of the Environment)
  3. 3.火山登山者向けの情報提供ページ（白山） (opens in a new tab) — 気象庁 (Japan Meteorological Agency)
  4. 4.石川県公式ホームページ (opens in a new tab) — 石川県 (Ishikawa Prefecture)

Editorial team · Published: