Mt. Haku (2,702m), straddling the three prefectures of Ishikawa, Fukui, and Gifu, is one of Japan’s three most sacred mountains (along with Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tate), and has built up a cult since ancient times. Because the Nagataki Hakusan Shrine (formerly known as Hakusan Chugu Choryu Temple) in present Gujo City (Mino Region) used to own a manor house in Takayama, the Haku-san Cult was able to build up its number of followers in that city as well.
The Nagatake Hakusan Shrine was a ‘banba’ or ashram for worshippers, and is now predominantly used as a starting point for worshippers wishing to ascend the sacred mountain.