Kabushima Jinja in Aomori: A Seaside Benzaiten Shrine Where Black-Tailed Gulls Dance

Kabushima is a small islet that floats as if jutting into the Hachinohe sea, and at its summit sits Kabushima Jinja. Long revered as a guardian of sea travel and prosperous business, and enshrining Benzaiten, it is also known for blessings of good relationships. It has been beloved by locals and travelers alike as a power spot that represents the Hachinohe seashore.

What makes this shrine especially remarkable are the flocks of black-tailed gulls that cover the island from early spring into summer. Known as a breeding ground of the gulls designated a national natural monument, it draws what are said to be 30,000 to 40,000 gulls arriving from around February each year; they lay eggs in April and May and fly north again with their chicks around the end of July. The sight of tens of thousands of birds dancing is full of power. Worshipping while wrapped in the sea breeze and their cries is an experience found nowhere else.

The hall burned down entirely in a fire in the early hours of November 5, 2015, but after reconstruction work a new hall was completed in 2020, and public worship resumed from the spring of that year. During the rebuilding, care for the natural environment was taken by avoiding construction during the gulls' breeding season.

Highlights

• The hall standing atop the islet that floats on the sea.
• The vast flocks of black-tailed gulls covering the island from spring to summer.
• The faith in Benzaiten for sea travel and good relationships.
• The grand panorama of the Pacific Ocean seen from the island.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Same-machi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture (Kabushima, west of the Tanesashi Coast).
• Public transport: About a 15-minute walk from Same Station on the JR Hachinohe Line.
• By car: From central Hachinohe via National Route 45 and other roads; parking is available nearby.
• Worship: You climb the steps of the approach to the summit. During the gull breeding season, take care of droppings from the birds.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: The greatest sight is from around February into early summer, when the gulls arrive. The whole island is covered in white birds and brims with life. Summer to autumn offers the blue of the sea and a sense of openness, and winter a quiet shore where people and birds are few.
• Avoiding crowds: Golden Week and the peak breeding period draw more visitors. For calm worship, a weekday or the morning is recommended.
• Time needed: About 30 minutes to one hour for worship and the view from the island. Allow half a day if you combine a stroll of the Tanesashi Coast.
• Nearby real spots: Kabushima is a gateway to the Tanesashi Coast in Sanriku Fukko National Park. The natural turf grasslands of the Tanesashi Coast and the coastal beauty from the walking paths are highlights.
• Budget: Worship is free. During the breeding season, a free umbrella-lending effort is well known (check on site for current status).

A Quick Tip

If you visit in the gull season, it is reassuring to have clothing you do not mind soiling, a hat, and an umbrella. Worshipping while wrapped in the lively cries of the birds becomes an unforgettable memory unique to a seaside shrine. Afterward, extend your walk to the Tanesashi Coast to enjoy the coastal beauty of Sanriku as well.

📚 Sources

For Kabushima Jinja on Kabushima island in Same, Hachinohe City, its Benzaiten faith, the black-tailed gull breeding ground designated a national Natural Monument, and the new hall completed in 2020, information published by Kabushima Jinja, Hachinohe City, and related tourism bodies is a helpful reference. Check the JR Hachinohe Line's official information for access from Same Station. Confirm on site about matters such as umbrella lending during the breeding season. Fares, hours, and access may change, so please confirm with official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time needed: About 30 minutes to 1 hour for worship and the view from the island. Allow half a day if combining with a stroll along Tanesashi Coast.
• What to bring and prepare: During the breeding season, watch for droppings, so clothes you do not mind soiling, a hat, and an umbrella are reassuring. You climb the approach stairs to the island's summit.
• Suggested route: Worship at the hall on the island's summit and take in the Pacific panorama. As the gateway to Tanesashi Coast in Sanriku Fukko National Park, it can be toured with the coast's natural lawn scenery.
• Best time of day: For a calm visit, weekdays or mornings are recommended.
• Seasonal note: Black-tailed gulls are seen from around February to early summer.