After arriving at Hokunō Station, the northern terminus of the Nagaragawa Railway, we continued by car to the mountain village of Itoshiro. Although Itoshiro lies outside the Nagara River basin, it prospered as the gateway to the Mino Zendō, the historic pilgrimage route to Mount Hakusan. From here, our journey shifted from following the river to exploring the spiritual heritage of Mount Hakusan. Our first stop was Hakusan Nakai Shrine, set among peaceful rural landscapes. The following day, we visited Nagataki Hakusan Shrine. Exploring these two historic shrines revealed how deeply the culture and history of this region are connected to Mount Hakusan, one of Japan’s three sacred mountains. Journey … Continue reading Itoshiro and the sacred shrines of Mount Hakusan