Kabushima Shrine stands on Kabushima Island in Same, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. The small island is famous as one of Japan’s most important breeding grounds for black-tailed gulls, which are designated as a National Natural Monument. Here, a historic shrine and a thriving seabird colony exist side by side, creating a landscape rarely seen anywhere else in Japan.
In spring, yellow flowers bloom across the island, contrasting beautifully with the blue Pacific Ocean, white gulls, and the shrine’s bright red torii gate. The result is a remarkable scene where nature, wildlife, and Japanese religious traditions come together.
According to shrine legend, Kabu-shima Shrine was originally dedicated to Enoshima Benten in 1269.
The shrine has been worshipped as "Kabu-shima no Benten-sama" (Benten of Kabu-shima).
Since "Kabu" in Kabu-shima means "turnip" and "stock" in Japanese, the shrine is said to bring good fortune to increase the stock price and popularity of the shrine.
Originally a completely isolated island, it was reclaimed by the former Japanese military in 1942 and connected to land.
It is designated as a national natural monument as a breeding ground for petrels.
This is the only place in Japan where the breeding of petrels can be observed up close.
The petrel is a bird that signals fishing grounds and has been cherished as a messenger of Benten-sama, the goddess of the sea.
For this reason, the entire island is a large breeding ground for petrels, even though it is located near people's homes.
The number of birds reaches as high as 30,000 to 40,000, and the island is covered with them.
They arrive every year from late February to mid-April, nesting and laying eggs around May, when the rape blossoms are in full bloom.
The chicks hatch in June and leave the island in July and August.
The Kabushima Resting Area and Kabujima Promenade Park are located nearby, where you can watch the petrels through large windows.
According to shrine tradition, Kabushima Shrine was founded in 1269, when Benzaiten, a Buddhist goddess associated with music, arts, learning, and prosperity, was enshrined here from Enoshima.
For centuries, the shrine has been affectionately known as “Kabushima no Benzaiten,” or Benzaiten of Kabushima. The name Kabushima contains the Japanese word kabu, meaning “turnip,” but it sounds exactly like kabu, meaning “stock” or “share.” Because of this wordplay, the shrine has become particularly popular among people wishing for their stock prices, reputation, and fortunes to rise.
This playful connection has given Kabushima Shrine a unique reputation as a place where visitors pray for success in business, financial prosperity, and good fortune.
Kabushima is a small, hill-like landform measuring approximately 300 meters long, 140 meters wide, and 19 meters high, with an area of around 17,000 square meters.
It was originally a true island, separated from the mainland by the sea. In 1942, however, land reclamation carried out by the former Japanese Navy connected it to the mainland. Today, visitors can easily reach the shrine on foot while still enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by the Pacific coast.
Several theories have been proposed regarding the origin of the name “Kabushima.” One suggests that it means an island where turnip flowers bloom. Another connects the name with Kamushima, meaning an island where a deity is worshipped. A further theory suggests that it may derive from Ainu words referring to black-tailed gulls and rocky terrain.
The greatest attraction of Kabushima is its enormous colony of black-tailed gulls. The island has been recognized as a National Natural Monument since 1922 because of its importance as a breeding ground.
Approximately 40,000 gulls arrive on the island every year from late February through April. By May, the birds begin nesting and incubating their eggs among the blooming yellow flowers. Chicks hatch in June, and by July, young gulls begin leaving their nests and taking their first flights.
The birds have traditionally been important to local fishing communities. Fishermen regarded the gulls as birds that could indicate the location of fishing grounds, while the birds were also revered as messengers of Benzaiten.
As a result, the relationship between the people of Hachinohe and the gulls is not simply one of wildlife observation. It is a long-standing example of how local culture, religious belief, and the natural environment can coexist.
Kabushima is one of the rare places in Japan where visitors can observe a large breeding colony of black-tailed gulls at close range. Nearby facilities such as the Kabushima Rest Area and Kabushima Promenade Park provide opportunities to observe the birds while taking a break along the coast.
During the breeding season, visitors should take care not to approach nests or chicks and should avoid disturbing the birds. Respecting the wildlife is an important part of preserving this unique environment for future generations.
The history of Kabushima Shrine is traditionally traced back to 1269, during the Kamakura period. It is said that Enoshima Benzaiten was invited and enshrined here, establishing Kabushima as a place of worship.
The shrine’s principal deities are the Three Munakata Goddesses: Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto, Tagorihime-no-Mikoto, and Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto. These deities have traditionally been associated with safe voyages, prosperous fishing, and commercial success.
Because Benzaiten is also associated with music, art, learning, wealth, and fertility, the shrine has attracted a wide range of worshippers. In the past, local fishermen particularly relied on the shrine as a place to pray for safe journeys at sea and abundant catches.
Kabushima Shrine experienced a devastating fire in November 2015, when the shrine buildings were completely destroyed.
However, the strong support of local residents and people connected with the shrine made reconstruction possible. Work began in 2016, and special consideration was given to the black-tailed gulls during the construction process. Construction was suspended during the birds’ breeding season, from approximately April through August, to minimize the impact on the colony.
After approximately five years of work, the reconstruction was completed in 2020.
The rebuilt shrine incorporates a significant amount of locally produced Aomori timber. While retaining the beauty and character of traditional Japanese shrine architecture, the new building also reflects the natural resources of the region.
The reconstruction became a powerful symbol of the community’s determination to preserve its cultural heritage. Today, the restored shrine represents not only faith, but also the strong bond between Kabushima and the people of Hachinohe.
Every year on the third Sunday of April, the Kabushima Festival is held to celebrate the arrival of spring. Local residents and visitors gather to express gratitude for the island’s natural environment and the black-tailed gulls.
The shrine grounds also contain a memorial stone dedicated to the gulls, featuring a poem by the famous Japanese poet Byakuren Yanagihara. The monument reflects the longstanding connection between poetry, spirituality, and the natural world at Kabushima.
Kabushima Shrine is relatively easy to access compared with many remote natural attractions in northern Aomori.
It is approximately a 15-minute walk from JR Mutsu-Minato Station, making it a convenient destination for travelers using public transportation. Local buses also operate from central Hachinohe, while visitors traveling by car can reach the area in approximately 30 minutes from the Hachinohe Interchange of the Hachinohe Expressway.
Parking facilities are available in the surrounding area, making Kabushima an easy stop on a coastal sightseeing trip around Hachinohe.
The best time to experience the unique atmosphere of Kabushima is during the spring breeding season, when thousands of black-tailed gulls gather on the island and the surrounding flowers begin to bloom.
However, the birds can be very active during this period. Visitors should keep a respectful distance from nests and chicks and follow local instructions. The coastal area can also be windy and cool, so a jacket or other protective clothing is recommended.
By observing the birds quietly and responsibly, visitors can enjoy one of Aomori’s most unusual wildlife experiences without disturbing the colony.
Kabushima Shrine is a unique destination where Japanese spirituality and wildlife exist side by side. The sight of thousands of black-tailed gulls flying above the island, yellow flowers blooming in spring, and a red torii standing against the blue Pacific creates an unforgettable landscape.
The shrine’s long history, traditions associated with Benzaiten, prayers for prosperity, and deep connection with local fishing communities add another layer of meaning to the visit. The story of the shrine’s reconstruction after the 2015 fire also demonstrates the strength of the community’s determination to protect its heritage.
For travelers exploring northern Japan, Kabushima offers much more than a traditional shrine visit. It is a place where wildlife, coastal scenery, local history, faith, and community traditions can all be experienced together.
Standing beneath the calls of the black-tailed gulls and looking out toward the Pacific Ocean, visitors can experience a rare sense of harmony between people and nature—one that has been cultivated on Kabushima for centuries.
8:30-17:15
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays
15 min. walk from JR Hachinohe Line Same Station
Bus: Get off at Kabu-shima Kaihin Koen (Kabu-shima Seaside Park) on the Umineko Bus (Tanegashi Kaigan sightseeing bus).