The White Rabbit of Inaba: Visiting Tottori’s Most Famous "Love Shrine"

The Hook: Tottori’s Original Love Story

Just a short drive from the Tottori Sand Dunes lies a spot that feels like it was pulled straight out of a storybook.

Hakuto Shrine (白兎神社) is dedicated to the “White Rabbit of Inaba,” the star of one of Japan’s oldest myths. While many shrines in Japan feel serious and solemn, Hakuto is different—it is undeniably cute.

Known as a “Lover’s Sanctuary,” this is the place to go if you want to pray for a good match (en-musubi) or simply want to see the adorable rabbit statues that line the path to the main hall.

The Myth: Why a Rabbit?

You can’t visit this shrine without knowing the story.

According to the ancient Kojiki (Japan’s oldest chronicle), a white rabbit wanted to cross the ocean to Tottori. He tricked a group of sharks (or “wani”) into forming a bridge with their backs. Just as he was about to finish crossing, he bragged about tricking them, and the angry sharks skinned him alive!

The rabbit was crying in pain on the beach when a kind god (Okuninushi) told him to wash in the fresh water of the nearby pond and roll in the cattail pollen. The rabbit was healed and, in return, predicted that the god would marry the beautiful Princess Yakami.

Today, the rabbit is a symbol of healing skin problems and finding true love.

The Challenge: The Lucky Stones

The most fun part of visiting Hakuto Shrine is the “Musubi-ishi” (Bonding Stone) Challenge.

At the shrine office, you can buy a bag of white stones with the word “En” (Bond/Fate) written on them using red ink.

  1. Make a wish (usually for love or good relationships).

  2. Stand under the Torii gate at the entrance.

  3. Throw the stone up onto the top beam of the gate.

If your stone lands and stays on top of the Torii without falling, your wish will come true! It’s harder than it looks, and you’ll often see visitors laughing and cheering as they try to land their throw.

The Sunset: Hakuto Coast

After visiting the shrine, cross the bridge to Hakuto Coast.

This is the exact beach from the myth. It is famous for its stunning sunsets and the “Okinoshima” island visible just off the shore, which looks like a shark’s back breaking the waves.

It is the perfect place to end a day of exploring Tottori.

The White Rabbit of Inaba: 2026 Travel FAQs

Why is Hakuto Shrine considered Japan’s first love story?

The shrine is dedicated to the myth of the “White Rabbit of Inaba” from the Kojiki (Japan’s oldest chronicle). In the story, the rabbit acted as a matchmaker for the deity Okuninushi and the beautiful Princess Yakami. Because of this divine connection, the shrine was designated as Japan’s first “Lover’s Sanctuary” and is the go-to place for those seeking a “good match” (En-musubi).

The most popular ritual involves purchasing a small bag of five white stones called Musubi Ishi. You are supposed to place these stones on the white rabbit statues along the shrine path or toss them onto the crossbar of the Torii gate. If the stone stays on the gate, it is said your wish for love or a strong bond will come true.

In January and February, the shrine and the adjacent Hakuto Beach often see light snowfall, creating a peaceful, monochrome “mythical” atmosphere. While visiting, you can see the Mitarashi Pond, where the rabbit supposedly washed its wounds. Interestingly, the pond’s water level is said to remain constant regardless of the heavy winter snow or summer heat.

Yes, the shrine is famous for its “Shirousagi Mikuji”—adorable ceramic white rabbit figurines that contain a fortune slip inside. Many visitors keep the ceramic rabbit as a souvenir. You can also find heart-shaped Ema (wooden prayer plaques) and amulets (Omamori) shaped like rabbit ears, which are very popular gifts for friends seeking romance.

The most direct way is by the Hinomaru Bus (bound for Aoya or Shika-no-onsen) from the JR Tottori Station bus terminal, which takes about 35–40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a local train to Suetsune Station followed by a short taxi ride, or use a rental car/Kei van, which takes about 15 minutes from the Tottori Sand Dunes area.

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