Shirajabenzaiten｜The Complete Guide to Spiritual Shrines in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture, Known for Golden Fortune and Business Prosperity

Shirajabenzaiten, located in a residential area of Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture, is a shrine of great spirituality known throughout Japan for its waterfall for washing money. The shrine is a unique blend of the legend of the white snake from the Muromachi period (1333-1573) and the belief in Benzaiten, and attracts many worshippers who wish to increase their financial fortune and prosper in their business.

Outline and Basic Information on Shirajabenzaiten

Shirajake Benzaiten is located in Kushiketa-nishi, Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture, and enshrines Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto as its deities. The shrine has been called “Koikegafuchi” since ancient times, and its present form is the result of a combination of the legend of a white snake handed down since the Muromachi period (1333-1573) and the belief in Benzaiten (a goddess of wealth and beauty). As a stand-alone shrine not affiliated with the main shrine headquarters, it maintains its own unique form of worship.

History and Origin

It is said that the origin of the White Snake Benzaiten was a request from Itsukushima Shrine during the Muromachi period (1333-1573). Originally, the shrine was worshipped as Benzaiten, but the name was changed to “Hakusake Benzaiten” (White Snake Benzaiten) in connection with the legend of the White Snake that has been handed down in the area since ancient times.

According to the legend, there were two white snakes living in the area, which was called Koikegafuchi. They are said to have appeared whenever there was a good or bad omen, and were considered sacred by the local people. This legend combined with the belief in Benzaiten (the god of wealth) to create a unique form of worship in which the white snakes were used as messengers of the gods.

In 2002, to commemorate the 480th anniversary of the shrine’s founding, the shrine grounds were renovated to create the “White Snake Benzaiten” as it appears today. At this time, the copper shingle roof of the shrine pavilions was replaced, and the shrine grounds were also improved to welcome the many worshippers.

Gods and Benefits

Ichikishimahime no Mikoto, the deity of the shrine, is believed to be the same as Benzaiten. Benzaiten was originally the Indian river god Sarasvati, which was incorporated into Buddhism and further introduced to Japan as a form of syncretism between Shintoism and Buddhism.

Since Benzaiten also merged with the snake god (Ugajin) in Japan after the Middle Ages, incarnations of Benzaiten are often believed to be snakes or dragons, and the belief in Benzaiten the White Serpent is positioned along these lines.

The main benefits of Benzaiten are as follows

• Increase in money and prosperous business
• Healing of illness
• Good luck and blessings
• Improvement of arts and studies
• Elimination of refusal to go to school
• Stopping runaways

The temple is especially known for its blessings of increased money, prosperous business, and healing of illness, and many worshippers visit the temple throughout the year to pray.

Highlights and Features of Hakujabenzaiten

Although the shrine grounds of Hakujabenzaiten are not large, they are filled with a mystical atmosphere and unique attractions. Despite its small size, there are enough visitors to see the temple before you, making it a popular sightseeing spot in Moka City.

Waterfall for washing money

The most significant attraction of the Shirajabenzaiten is the sacred water of the waterfall of money washing that springs from deep underground in the main shrine. Many visitors from all over Japan come to the temple to wash and purify their money in this sacred water, which is said to bring them good fortune and prosperous business.

The procedure for washing money is as follows:

1. Pass through the vermilion torii gate at the back and proceed to the waterfall.
2. Place coins and bills in the net provided.
3. Use a pole to wash them in the sacred water flowing from the waterfall.
4. Keep the washed coins as seed money.

The waterfall is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but the time may vary according to circumstances. The temple has been introduced on TV as a place where visitors can win the lottery by buying lottery tickets, and many visitors come to the temple especially before buying lottery tickets.

Legend of the White Snake and the guardian snakes

A pair of guardian snakes is placed beyond the Ninotorii gate, and is one of the most distinctive features of Hakubetsu Benzaiten. The fact that the guardian snakes are placed in place of the usual guardian dogs is based on the legend of the White Snake.

According to our legend, two white snakes lived in the area, so the guardian snakes have been created with two different expressions. Many visitors to the shrine pet the guardian snakes before visiting the shrine.

The temple also offers a wide variety of gifts associated with the white snake, including snake ornaments and amulets, which are popular as souvenirs of visits to the temple.

Mysterious atmosphere of the temple grounds

Carp and turtles can be seen swimming in the surrounding waters, which soothes the hearts of visitors. The precincts of the temple are surrounded by a tamagaki, maintaining a small but sacred space.

Although the temple is located a few minutes’ walk west of Kushikada Station, once you enter the temple grounds, you will find yourself in a tranquil space where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Especially at dusk, the mystical atmosphere is heightened and many visitors have a memorable experience.

Guide to Worship and Visiting the Shrine

Although you can visit Shirajabenzaiten throughout the year, there are special manners and precautions to follow. Since the temple is visited by many worshippers who wish to increase their financial fortune, please be sure to visit the temple with good manners.

Worship Etiquette and Manners

The manner of worship at Shirajabenzaiten is the same as at most Shinto shrines. First, bow at the Ichinotorii (first shrine gate) and enter the shrine grounds. After purifying yourself at the hand-watering trough on the left, pass through the Ninotorii (second shrine gate) and enter the hall of worship.

The worship service at the hall of worship is conducted in the manner of “ni-ai ni clap, ni clap, ippai” (two bow, two clap, one bow). After making a monetary donation, bow deeply twice, clap your hands twice in prayer, and bow deeply once at the end.

If you wish to use the waterfall for the money washing, head to the vermilion torii gate at the back of the temple after praying. When washing money, please note that you are responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or other accidents or problems with banknotes, coins, lottery tickets, or other items. You are also responsible for any coins, paper money, or other items dropped into the pond.

Annual and Seasonal Events

Various events are held throughout the year at Hakujabenzaiten. Of particular note is the Natsukoshi Matsuri held at the end of July.

During the Natsukoshi Matsuri, a special ritual is held in which floating lanterns are floated into the pond of the Hakujabenzaiten to pray for good fortune and health. Reservations are accepted for 1,000 yen per lantern, and visitors can choose from six colors (light blue, purple, yellow, green, red, and pink).

In addition, special red seals are sometimes awarded on the day of the snake. Especially on the day of the snake (a special day of the snake that occurs once every 60 days), there are sometimes limited awards available, attracting many visitors to the temple.

The annual festival is held in April and is one of the most important annual events for Hakubetsu Benzaiten. For the detailed schedule, we recommend checking the official website or calling the temple.

Red Seal and Charm Information

In addition to regular red seals, Hakujabenzaiten also offers limited edition red seals on special occasions. Especially on the day of the Snake and the day of the Snake’s Snake, special red seals are available only on those days.

Red seal impression books are also available for special occasions, such as a special red seal impression book for June 2025, the day of the Snake.

A wide variety of gifts associated with the white snake are available at the award shops located on either side of the hall of worship. The items include snake figurines, amulets, and ema (votive picture tablet), all of which are popular with worshippers wishing for good luck in money and prosperous business.

We recommend that you check the official website for details on the items to be awarded in advance. Inquiries about the items to be awarded can also be made by phone.

Access/Use Information

Shirajabenzaiten is located in a residential area of Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture, but is accessible by both public transportation and private vehicles. Please refer to the following information when planning your visit to the temple.

Access by Public Transportation

The closest station to the shrine is Kugeta Station on the Moka Railway. It is a 6-minute walk from the Kushiketa Station exit and is relatively easy to access.

Access by car is also possible, and it takes about 15 minutes by car from Mooka Station on the Mooka Railway. Many visitors come from all over the Kanto region, and cars with license plates from Setagaya, Kanagawa, Saitama, etc. can be seen in the parking lot.

Signs and other information are available from the nearest major road, and can also be searched with a car navigation system. Searching by address or phone number will help you pinpoint the exact location.

<Address> 2-63 Kugeta-nishi, Moka-shi, Tochigi 321-4522

Hours of worship, fees, and parking information

Although Hakubetsu Benzaiten is open 24 hours a day, the Kinpuku Senarai no Taki waterfall is available from 8:30 a.m. to around 4:00 p.m. The hours may vary depending on circumstances, and there may be times when the waterfall is not flowing, so we recommend that you confirm the hours in advance.

There is no charge to visit the temple, but an additional fee is required if you wish to receive prayers or special awards. No special fee is required for the use of the Kinpuku Senarai no Taki (waterfall for washing money).

Free parking is available on the right side of the temple grounds, but parking is limited to about 4 cars. Please consider using public transportation, especially on weekends, holidays, and special occasions when crowding is expected.

We recommend that you call in advance for detailed information and the latest conditions regarding visitation. Inquiries about prayer reservations and special awards are also accepted by phone.

Reference sites

Shirajabenzaiten official website: http://www.hakujyabenzaiten.x0.com/