20 Shrines in Hokkaidō worth your time

A historic Sapporo shrine founded by pioneer soldiers featuring a preserved 19th-century settler house and unique cultural monuments.

What it is

• Founded in 1875 as Takehaya Shrine to serve local pioneer soldiers.
• Renamed to Kotoni Shrine in 1897 and moved to its current site in 1915.
• Enshrines the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami and the warrior Date Shigezane.
• Holds the historical rank of a district shrine within the Hokkaido region.

What to see

• A former Tondenhei settler house designated as a tangible cultural property.
• A loyal soul monument erected on the grounds in 1911.
• Traditional charms available for purchase focusing on fertility and safe childbirth.

When to go

• Visit on New Year's Day to be greeted by a white Samoyed dog.

Read more about Kotoni Shrine

A historic Hakodate shrine founded in the 14th century, once serving as a military residence during the Hakodate War.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine dedicated to the primary deities Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke no Omikami.
• Founded between 1368 and 1375 by a practitioner named Fujibo.
• Served as the residence for Matsudaira Sadaki during the Hakodate War.
• Designated as a district shrine in 1876 after being renamed in 1874.

What to see

• The current main shrine building which was completed in March 1932.
• The site where the former name of Shinmeizaka slope originated.
• A location that moved to its current spot in November 1902.

Getting there

• A fifteen minute walk from Hakodate Dokku-mae Station.

Read more about Yamanoue Daijingū Shrine

A historic wooden shrine in Mashike featuring intricate 19th-century carvings and a notable ceiling painting of a dragon.

What it is

• Founded in 1706 by Murayama Denbe in Mashike Town, Hokkaido.
• Dedicated to the deity Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto and four other distinct deities.
• The current main hall is a Tangible Cultural Property completed in 1901.
• Merged with Miyoshi Shrine in 1996 and Kumano Shrine in 1998.

What to see

• Main hall constructed entirely from zelkova wood.
• Intricate decorative carvings on the main hall by Shinoda Sokichi.
• A large dragon painted on the ceiling by artist Kano Shogyoku.
• Architectural details from the 1861 reconstruction and 1901 completion.

Read more about Itsukushima Shrine

Ainonai Shrine is a historic shrine in Hokkaido, offering a glimpse into Tondenhei soldier faith and traditional architecture.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke Omikami.
• Originated from the faith of Tondenhei soldiers.
• Current building constructed in 1952.

What to see

• Shrine building in the Shinmei-zukuri style.
• Eight katsuogi on the main shrine roof.
• Auxiliary Soma Shrine and Miyoshi Shrine.

When to go

• Annual festival on September 23rd.
• Doll appreciation festival in March.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Ainonai Station.
• Bus stop 3 minutes walk from the shrine.

Address

北海道北見市相内町51 Map

Read more about Ainonai Shrine

A historic Hokkaido shrine dedicated to the deity Ukemochi no Okami, featuring a unique history tied to local herring fishing families.

What it is

• A village shrine founded in 1896 dedicated to the deity Ukemochi no Okami.
• The site enshrines household gods from local herring fishing families.
• Residents established the shrine in 1894 using a spirit from Yamashiro Inari Shrine.
• The location served as a filming site for the movie Station.

What to see

• The main shrine building which was completed in July 1901.
• The approach road where a railway track once crossed the path.
• Integrated household gods mostly representing various Inari deities.

Read more about Inari Shrine

Rubeshibe Shrine is a historic hilltop shrine in Hokkaido, offering a glimpse into local spiritual life.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine officially established in 1926.
• Dedicated to the deity Amaterasu Sumi Okami.
• Includes a subsidiary Shotoku Taishi Shrine.
• Ranked as a village shrine in 1927.

What to see

• The current main shrine building, rebuilt in 2004.
• Views of Rubeshibe town from the hilltop.
• Jingyoji Temple and Daiyuji Temple nearby.

When to go

• Shrine office is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Getting there

• An 8-minute walk from JR Rubeshibe Station.

Address

北海道北見市留辺蘂町宮下町115 Map

Read more about Rubeshibe Shrine

A peaceful Shinto shrine in Sapporo's Nakajima Park founded by Niigata immigrants to honor local and scholarly deities.

What it is

• Established in 1912 by immigrants from Niigata to honor Amenokaguyama no Mikoto.
• Also enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning and scholarship.
• Relocated to its current site in 1918 and designated a village shrine in 1922.
• Received a spirit division from the famous Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine in 1970.

What to see

• Traditional Shinto architecture located within the grounds of Nakajima Park.
• Sacred spaces dedicated to the enshrined spirits of Niigata and Dazaifu.

Official site

www.iyahiko.or.jp

Read more about Iyahiko Shirine

A historic Hokkaido shrine dedicated to pioneering deities, featuring a secondary shrine with spiritual roots from Fukushima prefecture.

What it is

• A former district shrine dedicated to the three deities of pioneering.
• The enshrined deities were originally divided from the Sapporo Shrine.
• Founded as a small Prince Shotoku shrine by Tokuzo Hayashi in 1895.
• Registered as a formal religious corporation in 1946.

What to see

• The main shrine building located in the Miyashita-cho area.
• Soma Shrine, which was established on the grounds in 1953.
• A deity housed within the grounds from Soma Nakamura Shrine in Fukushima.

Read more about Naganuma Shrine

Nakashibetsu Shrine is a historic Hokkaido shrine, offering a glimpse into local spiritual heritage.

What it is

• Founded in August 1913 by Shibetsu Village residents.
• Enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, Okuninushi no Kami, and Ukanomitama no Kami.
• Recognized as a public shrine in 1942.

What to see

• Main hall, heiden, and haiden were built in 1933.
• Shrine buildings were rebuilt in 1975.

When to go

• Annual festival is held from July 19th to 21st.
• The main festival day is July 20th.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Nakashibetsu Town Traffic Center.

Address

北海道標津郡中標津町西1条南4丁目1番地 Map

Read more about Nakashibetsu Shrine

A small, modern shrine in Sapporo's shopping arcade, dedicated to tanuki for good fortune.

What it is

• A shrine also known as Tanuki Shrine.
• Established in 1973.
• Enshrines Honjin Tanuki Daimyojin and Kazusa Gozen.
• Dedicated to Tanuki Jizo with eight virtues.

What to see

• A 'Tanuki Mizukake Jizo' statue.
• Omikuji, written fortunes, are available.

When to go

• Hatsutanuki Festival is held on January 2nd.
• Tanuki Hachitoku Reitaisai is on the first Saturday of August.

Getting there

• Located in Tanukikoji Shopping Street 5-chome.

Address

北海道札幌市中央区南2条西5丁目20 Map

Read more about Honjin Tanuki-daimyōjinsha

Konopporo Shrine, founded 1905, offers a glimpse into local history and traditional architecture.

What it is

• Shrine established on September 20, 1905.
• Originated from a small祠 enshrining Homutawake-no-mikoto.
• Ukanomitama-no-mikoto is also enshrined here.
• Registered as a religious corporation on January 26, 1984.

What to see

• Main hall has wooden lion carvings on its gable.
• Current main hall and office built in 1988.
• Monument commemorates 100th anniversary of Konopporo's founding.

When to go

• Annual New Year's Festival.
• Annual Autumn Grand Festival.

Address

北海道札幌市厚別区厚別東4条4丁目9番7号 Map

Read more about Konopporo Shrine

Nishino Shrine is a Sapporo shrine known for matchmaking and unique festivals.

What it is

• Founded in 1885 by five settler families.
• Dedicated to Toyotamahime-no-Mikoto, Ugayafukiaezu-no-Mikoto, and Hachiman-Okami.
• Known for matchmaking and safe childbirth.
• Former rank was 'village shrine'.

What to see

• Three portable shrines parade during the festival.

When to go

• Main festival is in September, before Respect for the Aged Day.
• Attend the crying sumo event on the festival day.
• Doll memorial service is held in March.

Address

北海道札幌市西区平和1条3丁目1-1 Map

Read more about Nishino Shrine

A Shinto shrine in Hokkaido with unique statues and multiple enshrined deities.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido.
• Established in 1977.
• Belongs to the Shinto Taikyo organization.
• Dedicated to Hachiman Okami and other deities.

What to see

• Enshrined deity Hachiman Okami.
• Enshrined deity Tenman Okami, god of learning.
• Enshrined deity Akiba Daigongen, god of harvests.
• Enshrined deity Ume no Miya Okami, god of childbirth.
• Enshrined deity Kotohira Okami, god of business.
• Rare standing statue of Sugawara Michizane.

Address

北海道北広島市輪厚中央5丁目3番16号 Map

Read more about Sapporo Hachimangū

Kotohira Shrine in Nemuro, Hokkaido, preserves sacred objects from northern islands and hosts a vibrant summer festival.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 1806 by Takadaya Kahei.
• Enshrines Omononushi no kami and other deities.
• Holds sacred objects from four northern islands.

What to see

• Observation deck visited by Emperor Showa in 1936.
• Modern shrine office and museum built in 2005.

When to go

• Annual festival on August 9th, 10th, and 11th.
• Festival involves four 'saitenku' districts.
• Festival is a Hokkaido Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

北海道根室市琴平町1-4 Map

Read more about Kotohira Shrine

Nagayama Shrine is Hokkaido's oldest shrine, dedicated to a local pioneer, worth visiting for its history.

What it is

• Oldest shrine in the Kamikawa subprefecture.
• Originated in 1892 behind Nagayama Station.
• Enshrined Nagayama Takeshiro in 1921.
• Promoted to a prefectural shrine in 1945.

What to see

• Shrine building rebuilt in 1993.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on July 1st.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Soya Main Line Nagayama Station.
• 5-minute walk from Nagayama 2-jo 18-chome bus stop.

Address

北海道旭川市永山４条18丁目2-13 Map

Official site

www.hokkaidou-asahikawa-nagayamajinnja.com

Read more about Nagayama Shrine

This shrine honors Japan's first emperor and local pioneers, offering unique historical monuments.

What it is

• Also known as Benkebetsu Kashihara Shrine.
• Dedicated to Emperor Jimmu and Empress Himetataraisuzuhime.
• Originated from a monument to Zenzaburo Shibato.
• Became a remote worship place for Kashihara Shrine in 1905.

What to see

• A monument to Zenzaburo Shibato, erected in 1893.
• A ground-breaking monument, erected in 1895.
• A Horse-headed Kannon monument, erected in 1921.
• A Benkebetsu development memorial monument, erected in 1932.

Address

北海道石狩郡当別町弁華別435番地2 Map

Read more about Benkebetsu Shrine

Oyachi Shrine is a small, green sanctuary in Sapporo, known for its unique heart-shaped sacred tree.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to Okunitama, Onamuchi, and Sukunahikona.
• Founded in 1894 as a small shrine by the Atsubetsu River.
• Became an authorized shrine in 1897.
• Main shrine building completed in 1900.

What to see

• Todomatsu and Karamatsu trees, preserved by Sapporo City.
• A heart-shaped tree stump, 40 centimeters in diameter.
• Heart-shaped ema popular with young couples.
• The shrine is on a small hill, surrounded by greenery.

Address

北海道札幌市厚別区大谷地西2丁目2番1号 Map

Read more about Oyachi Shrine

Visit this Hokkaido shrine to see unique architecture, local wildlife, and beautiful spring flowers.

What it is

• Founded by Shijutaro Tomonari, completed in 1910.
• Dedicated to Hondawake no Kami and Okuninushi no Kami.
• Original name was Tsurunuma Shrine, changed in 1968.
• Stands on 9.9 hectares of donated land.

What to see

• Second generation shrine building, relocated in 1972.
• Building has three log pillars to withstand snow.
• Grounds are a colony of Katakuri and Ezoengosaku flowers.
• Spot small animals like chipmunks and foxes.

Address

北海道樺戸郡浦臼町字キナウスナイ186番地 Map

Read more about Urausu Shrine

Echigo Shrine, founded in 1895, offers a glimpse into local history and nature.

What it is

• Shrine founded in May 1895.
• Received a bunrei from Yahiko Shrine.

What to see

• Monument erected in October 1895.
• Preserved yew tree, 3.5 meters tall.
• Yew tree branches extend 10 meters horizontally.
• Blooming flowers on the grounds in spring.

When to go

• Spring for blooming flowers.

Getting there

• Near National Route 12.
• Near Ebetsu Ohashi bridge over Yubari River.

Address

北海道江別市江別太170-1 Map

Read more about Echigo Shrine

Yobito Shrine, founded by settlers, offers a glimpse into local history and traditional Japanese architecture.

What it is

• Shrine founded and maintained by local settlers.
• Origin began with Shotaro Shimada.
• Dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami.
• Soma Myoken Shrine enshrined together in 1998.

What to see

• One main hall and one torii gate built in 1915.
• Large torii gate built along the national road in 1916.
• Shrine building constructed in 1929.
• Concrete torii gate donated in 1958.
• 123 stone steps completed on the approach in 1959.

Address

北海道網走市呼人267 Map

Read more about Yobito Shrine