20 Temples in Hokkaidō worth your time

A historic Jodo Shinshu temple in Hakodate featuring a modern main hall and a cultural center for visitors to explore.

What it is

• A branch temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha sect commonly known as Nishi Betsu-in.
• Established in 1857 as Ganjoji Kyubakusho and officially renamed in 1877.
• The current main hall was reconstructed in 2013 after multiple fires throughout history.
• The site includes a charnel house, a cultural center, and an affiliated kindergarten.

What to see

• The modern main hall completed in 2013 following historical fire damage.
• A cultural center and charnel house located within the temple grounds.
• A branch office situated in Funami-cho near the base of Hakodate Mountain.
• The temple bell which is used for traditional year-end ceremonies.

When to go

• Visitors can participate in ringing the temple bell on New Year's Eve.

Read more about Honganji hakodate betsu-in Temple

The oldest Buddhist temple in Hakodate, featuring ten registered cultural properties and a historic role in the Battle of Hakodate.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1633 by the monk Banshitsu Horyu.
• The oldest temple located within the city of Hakodate.
• Served as a hospital during the historic Battle of Hakodate.
• Ten structures on the grounds are designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.

What to see

• The main hall which was completed in 1899.
• The mountain gate dating back to 1911.
• A painting of the Shaka Nehan-zu by artist Kakizaki Hakyo.

When to go

• The temple holds an annual doll memorial service.

Getting there

• A ten-minute walk from Hakodate Dock-mae Station.

Official site

www.kokkasan.org

Read more about Kōryū-ji Temple

A historic Nichiren Shoshu temple in Hakodate featuring a resilient main hall rebuilt seven times since its founding in 1893.

What it is

• A Nichiren Shoshu temple also known by the mountain name Shinjitsuzan
• Founded in 1893 by the 56th High Priest Nichio
• The current building represents the seventh generation structure on this site
• Relocated to the Takamori-cho area in September 2003

What to see

• The seventh generation temple building reconstructed after historical fires
• The surrounding neighborhood near the NHK Hakodate Broadcasting Station
• Local scenery adjacent to the Hakodate Municipal Takamori Elementary School

Getting there

• A ten minute walk from the Showabashi tram stop

Read more about Shōbō-ji Temple

This historic hotel offers comfortable stays and amenities, conveniently located near Asahikawa Station.

What it is

• A hotel in Asahikawa, Hokkaido.
• Founded in 1920 as Hokkaikai Hotel Asahikawa Branch.
• Rebranded as OMO7 Asahikawa in 2018.
• Received the Asahikawa City Urban Landscape Award.

What to see

• The building, once the tallest in Asahikawa.
• Various room types, including Japanese-style rooms.
• OMO Cafe & Bar and a hotel shop.
• A spa with baths, sauna, and massage services.
• Bridal facilities, including a shrine and chapel.

Getting there

• 13-minute walk from JR Hokkaido Asahikawa Station.
• 15-minute drive from E5 Dōō Expressway Asahikawa Takasu IC.

Address

北海道旭川市6条通9丁目 Map

Official site

omo-hotels.com

Read more about OMO7 Asahikawa

Sapporo's oldest temple, Honryu-ji offers historical artifacts and the city's oldest festival.

What it is

• A Nichiren Buddhist temple in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
• It is the oldest temple in Ishikari Province.
• Myōkendō was built to guard Sapporo Village in the Edo period.
• Selected as one of Sapporo's 100 Cultural Assets in 1988.

What to see

• A statue of Myōken Bosatsu, guardian deity.
• A hanging scroll by Ōtomo Kametarō.
• A bronze bell donated by the Ōtomo family.
• A monument for Sapporo Village's 100th anniversary.

When to go

• Myōken-son Taisai festival on August 1st and 2nd.
• Myōken-son Taisai is Sapporo's oldest festival.

Address

北海道札幌市東区北14条東15丁目4-30 Map

Read more about Honryu-ji of Sapporo

Historic stone church in Sapporo, a tangible cultural property with Romanesque design.

What it is

• Founded as Sapporo Methodist Church in 1889.
• Became Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan Sapporo Church in 1941.
• Registered as a tangible cultural property of Japan.
• Selected as one of Sapporo's 100 Hometown Cultural Assets.

What to see

• Current stone church building completed in 1904.
• Designed by Chiyokatsu Mayama.
• Building uses Sapporo soft stone as a material.
• Features a Romanesque design.
• Significant urban landscape architecture.

Getting there

• Faces the Sosei River in central Sapporo.

Read more about Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan Sapporo Church

Eisen-ji Temple features the historic gate of Abashiri Prison, a unique cultural property worth a quick visit.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded in Abashiri City, Hokkaido.
• Features the former main gate of Abashiri Prison.
• The gate was relocated here in 1924.

What to see

• The wooden nagaya-mon temple gate.
• The gate has an irimoya-zukuri tiled roof.
• Guardhouses with dome roofs flank the gate.
• The gate is an Abashiri City Tangible Cultural Property.

When to go

• Visit at night to see the gate lit up.

Getting there

• Located along National Route 244.

Address

北海道網走市南6条東 Map

Read more about Eisen-ji Temple

Hakodate Orthodox Church: a historic cathedral with unique architecture and bell sounds.

What it is

• One of the oldest churches in the Japanese Orthodox Church.
• Founded in 1860 next to the Russian Consulate.
• Affectionately known as 'Gangan-ji' by locals.
• Its cathedral is a National Important Cultural Property.

What to see

• The Resurrection Cathedral of the Lord.
• Architecture influenced by Byzantine and Russian styles.
• Six bells donated in 1983.
• The cathedral is on Hakodate City's country sign.

When to go

• Listen for bell sounds, one of Japan's 100 Soundscapes.

Official site

www.orthodox-hakodate.jp

Read more about Hakodate Orthodox Church

Tadao Ando's Chapel on the Water offers a serene architectural experience with nature.

What it is

• A chapel designed by architect Tadao Ando.
• Opened in 1988, received the 31st BCS Award in 1990.
• Incorporates water, light, greenery, and wind.

What to see

• 5m by 15m sliding glass doors.
• A cross in the middle of a 15cm deep pool.
• Water flowing at the altar.
• Four reinforced concrete crosses on the rooftop.

Getting there

• Free shuttle bus from Tomamu Station.
• Located within Hoshino Resorts Tomamu.

Official site

www.waterchapel.jp

Read more about Chapel on the Water

Sapporo's Catholic cathedral, a unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, is a short walk from the station.

What it is

• Catholic cathedral for the Diocese of Sapporo.
• Named Guardian Angels Cathedral.
• Temporary church built in 1891.
• Became a cathedral in 1953.

What to see

• Romanesque-style central tower.
• Gothic-style small spires on both sides.
• Exterior walls and windows have continuous decorations.
• Stone church built in 1898 by Henri Lafon.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Bus Center-mae Station.

Read more about Guardian Angels Cathedral, Sapporo

Japan's oldest concrete temple, this historic site offers unique architecture and cultural significance.

What it is

• A temple of the Shinshu Otani sect.
• Founded as an Amida-do in 1641.
• Became a branch temple of Hongan-ji in 1876.
• Designated a traditional building by Hakodate City in 1989.

What to see

• The main hall, completed in 1915.
• Japan's oldest reinforced concrete temple building.
• Main hall, main gate, and bell tower are Important Cultural Properties.
• The main hall has a building area of 1,115.11 square meters.

Address

北海道函館市元町16-15 Map

Read more about Shinshū Ōtani-ha Hakodate Betsu-in Temple

Daijoin is a Soto Zen temple in Sapporo with the world's largest daikin bell.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple.
• Combines two older temples, Yakuoji and Kokuanji.

What to see

• Various statues on the temple grounds.
• A raccoon dog ornament in front of the gate.
• The world's largest daikin bell.
• The daikin bell is 2.4 meters in diameter.
• The daikin bell is 2.1 meters tall.
• The daikin bell weighs 3 tons.

Getting there

• Bus stop 'Daijoin Oteramae' is in front of the temple.

Address

北海道札幌市中央区宮の森1263−3 Map

Read more about Daijō-in Temple

Kōken-ji Temple is a museum dedicated to the victims of forced labor in Hokkaido.

What it is

• Jōdo Shinshū Ōtani-ha temple, established in 1932.
• Served as a temporary resting place for deceased laborers.
• Now a historical museum since 1995.

What to see

• Main hall is the Sasano Hyōbo Exhibition Hall.
• Museum exhibits history of forced labor.
• Panels and videos about construction are displayed.
• Exhumation activities of victims' remains are shown.
• Victims' memorial tablets are arranged inside.

Address

北海道雨竜郡幌加内町字朱鞠内6304 Map

Read more about Kōken-ji Temple

Shinzenkō-ji Temple is a Jōdo-shū temple with a historic Amitābha statue.

What it is

• A Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1884.
• Moved to its current location in 1901.
• Manages a kindergarten and social welfare corporation.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 1964.
• An Amitābha statue from the late Heian period.
• The Amitābha statue was moved here in 1964.

Getting there

• Accessible from Hosui-Susukino Station.
• Accessible from Susukino Station.

Address

北海道札幌市中央区南6条西1丁目 Map

Read more about Shinzenkō-ji Temple

Hakodate's Catholic Motomachi Church: a historic Gothic church rebuilt after fires, featuring a papal gift.

What it is

• A Catholic church in Hakodate, Hokkaido.
• One of three representative churches in Hakodate Motomachi.
• First built in 1877, rebuilt in 1924 after fires.

What to see

• A 33-meter spire.
• Gothic style architecture.
• Central altar, a gift from Pope Benedict XV.
• Located in a traditional buildings preservation district.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Suehirocho tram stop.

Official site

motomachi.holy.jp

Read more about Catholic Motomachi Church

A Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple in Sapporo with a unique history.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha Buddhist temple.
• Regarded as a branch of Nishi Hongan-ji.
• Originated from the Nishi Hongan-ji Sapporo Branch Office.
• Moved to its current location in 1952.

What to see

• A reinforced concrete temple building.
• Hokkaido Kyoku Kyomujo is housed here.

When to go

• Events are held on May 21st.
• Events are held from October 14th to 16th.

Address

北海道札幌市中央区北3条西19丁目2 Map

Official site

hokkaidokyomusho.jp

Read more about Hongan-ji Sapporo Betsu-in Temple

A historic Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Sapporo with a relocated main hall and impressive gate.

What it is

• A temple of the Shinshu Otani sect.
• Also known as Higashi Hongan-ji Sapporo Betsu-in.
• Established in 1870 as Higashi Hongan-ji Kansatsu.
• Renamed Sapporo Betsu-in in 1876.

What to see

• The main hall, relocated from Kōen-ji in 1871.
• Current main hall completed in 1892.
• Current main gate completed in 1914.
• Bell tower completed in July 1925.
• Study and ossuary completed in 2003.

Address

北海道札幌市中央区南7条西8丁目290 Map

Official site

www.ohigashi.or.jp

Read more about Shinshū Ōtani-ha Sapporo Betsu-in Temple

A branch temple of Toyokawa Inari, it offers a glimpse into local history and spiritual practices.

What it is

• A branch temple of Toyokawa Inari in Aichi Prefecture.
• Also known as Soto-shu Gyokuho Zenji Temple.
• Original temple founded in 1898.
• Called the 'guardian deity of Susukino'.

What to see

• The main temple enshrines Shaka Nyorai and Toyokawa Dakini Shinten.
• Original temple's main hall enshrines Toyokawa Dakini Shinten.
• A memorial for courtesans and mizuko, erected in 1976.

Address

札幌市清田区北野7条2丁目8－18 Map

Official site

www.gyokuhouzenji.com

Read more about Toyokawa Inari Sapporo Betsu-in Temple

Keiō-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren Buddhist temple, one of Sapporo's five great temples.

What it is

• A Nichiren Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1875 by Matsui Hirogi.
• Designated as a western record office.
• One of the 'Sapporo Five Great Temples'.

What to see

• The main hall, built in 1880.
• Ōku-no-in Daiheiwa-ji Temple, built in 1951.
• A bronze statue of Nichiren, erected in 1977.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from 'Toyohira 3-jo 4-chome' bus stop.

Address

北海道札幌市豊平区豊平4条3丁目2-1 Map

Official site

keiouji.or.jp

Read more about Keiō-ji Temple

Explore Usu Zenkō-ji Temple, a historic site with ancient roots and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A national historic site, designated as 'Zenkō-ji Temple Ruins'.
• Founded in 826 by Ennin.
• Designated an official temple in 1804 by Tokugawa Ienari.

What to see

• Nyoraido, rebuilt in 1613 by Matsumae Yoshihiro.
• Wooden Buddha statues dedicated by Enkū in 1666.
• The current Ishiwari-zakura, planted in 1805.
• 62 items designated national important cultural properties.

Address

北海道伊達市有珠町124番地 Map

Official site

www.usu-zenkoji.jp

Read more about Usu Zenkō-ji Temple