Moss Covered Pathways
Nestled in the forests of Katsuyama, Heisenji Hakusan Shrine—also known as the “Moss Temple”—is a serene Shinto sanctuary founded in 717 by the monk Taichō as a base for Hakusan mountain worship. Once a vast religious city housing thousands of monks and warrior-priests, it was destroyed during the 1574 Echizen Ikkō-ikki uprising. Today, visitors can stroll along moss-covered stone paths shaded by towering cedars, explore the main hall flanked by smaller shrines representing Mount Hakusan’s three peaks, and visit the nearby Mahoroba museum showcasing ongoing archaeological discoveries. The shrine is accessible year-round, with free admission, and is best reached by car or local bus from Katsuyama Station.