The Statue of Mashirara-hime stands at Yuzaki Beach Square in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. The statue commemorates a tragic love story associated with Japan’s ancient Manyo period and has become a popular cultural landmark for visitors to Shirahama.
The statue is located in the plaza of Shirahama Fisherman’s Wharf, near the footbath. With the beautiful ocean stretching out nearby, visitors can enjoy the coastal scenery while imagining the romantic legend that has been passed down through generations.
Mashirara-hime is said to have been a beautiful young woman who lived in Shirahama long ago. According to the legend, she fell in love with Prince Arima (Arima no Miko), a nobleman who had traveled to the area from the capital. However, after returning to the capital, Prince Arima was accused of plotting a rebellion and was ultimately put to death.
Mashirara-hime did not know of his tragic fate. She is said to have continued waiting by the sea, believing that he would someday return to Shirahama.
The statue depicts Mashirara-hime holding a rare shell known as Honkakuji-higai. This beautiful white shell has become a symbol of the couple’s enduring love and the tragic romance associated with Shirahama.
The pedestal of the statue features a poem by Prince Arima associated with the Manyoshu, one of Japan’s oldest surviving collections of poetry. It is presented as part of the story known as the “Manyo Secret Story.”
“At Iwashiro, I tie the branches of the pine trees on the shore. If I return safely, I shall come back to see them again.”
The poem expresses Prince Arima’s wish to return safely. Knowing the tragic fate that awaited him makes these words particularly poignant and adds emotional depth to the legend of his relationship with Mashirara-hime.
For visitors interested in Japanese history and literature, the statue offers an opportunity to encounter the world of the Manyo period while enjoying the scenery of the Shirahama coast.
Located beside the statue, Shirahama Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular seaside destination offering views over Shirarahama Beach. The facility includes restaurants serving fresh seafood, an Italian restaurant, souvenir shops, and a market selling freshly caught fish.
Visitors can enjoy meals and shopping while taking in the open coastal scenery. The facility is also a departure point for marine activities such as diving, allowing visitors to experience the waters around Shirahama more directly.
Its convenient location makes Fisherman’s Wharf a useful stop when exploring the area, especially for travelers who want to combine sightseeing, local food, shopping, and ocean activities.
The legend of Mashirara-hime is closely connected with Honkakuji Temple, a historic temple in Shirahama also known as “Kai-dera,” or the “Shell Temple.”
Because of its long relationship with the sea, local fishermen have traditionally donated shells to the temple. Over many years, Honkakuji has built an extraordinary collection that includes rare specimens of academic and scientific interest.
Today, the temple houses and displays more than 30,000 shells representing approximately 1,000 species. Among the collection is the famous Honkakuji-higai, a shell named after the temple.
The shell is particularly significant because of its connection with the tragic love story of Mashirara-hime and Prince Arima. The relationship between the shell collection and the local legend gives Honkakuji a distinctive place in Shirahama’s cultural heritage.
Honkakuji also has a strong historical connection with the Kishu Domain, one of the three major branches of the Tokugawa family during the Edo period.
Historical tradition states that successive lords of the Kishu Domain, including Tokugawa Yorinobu and Tokugawa Yoshimune, visited the temple. Memorial tablets dedicated to successive Kishu lords are still enshrined there.
The temple also preserves cultural monuments associated with religion and literature, including a monument to Tokuhon Shonin and a haiku monument commemorating the poet Matsuse Seisei. A visit to Honkakuji therefore offers more than a look at its unusual shell collection; it also provides an opportunity to explore the history and literary heritage of Shirahama.
The Statue of Mashirara-hime, Honkakuji Temple, and Shirahama Fisherman’s Wharf are all closely connected with the sea and the cultural history of Shirahama.
Together, these sites allow visitors to enjoy beautiful ocean views while discovering stories from ancient Japan, local traditions, Buddhist culture, literature, and the natural history of the region.
Shirahama is widely known for its beaches, hot springs, and spectacular coastal scenery. However, exploring places connected with local legends such as the story of Mashirara-hime can reveal a deeper and more cultural side of the town.
For international visitors, the statue provides an accessible introduction to the romantic traditions of the Manyo period. Combined with a visit to Honkakuji and Fisherman’s Wharf, it makes for an enjoyable route through Shirahama’s history, culture, seafood, and coastal landscapes.