Hokkaido Shrine

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Hokkaido Shrine

Japan’s well-known shrine, visited by worshippers throughout the year.

3.44 12

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Supervised by :  Hokkaido Shrine

Hokkaido Shrine, one of the most prominent shrines in Hokkaido, is located in Chuo District, Sapporo City. Its history is long, which began in 1869, when the Emperor Meiji directed to enshrine “Kaitaku Sanshin (Developing Three Deities)” here as a place of faith for pioneers.

Many visit here throughout the year, especially around the new year’s worship by over 700,000 people. Famous for the cherry and plum blossoms, during the blooming season, nearly 1,100 cherry trees and 120 plum trees entertain visitors. Surrounded by rich nature, you may get to see Ezo squirrels or Ezo red fox.

At Hokkaido Shrine, Omikuji (paper fortune) has quite a variety from the traditional to Love Mikuji and Children’s Mikuji, translated into English or Chinese. Try picking one when you are there.

Highlights

  • One of the monumental spots in Hokkaido’s history and development.
  • A popular power spot in Hokkaido.
  • In spring, cherry and plum bloom at the same time.
  • At the office, you can purchase the teas with cherry or plum blossoms from the shrine grounds and plum wine as souvenirs.
  • Omikuji fortune paper in English and Chinese available.

Photos

  • Hokkaido Shrine

    Hokkaido Shrine

  • Hokkaido Shrine

    Hokkaido Shrine

  • Kaitaku Shrine

    Kaitaku Shrine

  • Famous for cherry and plum blossoms

    Famous for cherry and plum blossoms

  • Surrounded by rich nature

    Surrounded by rich nature

  • You may get to see Ezo red fox or Ezo squirrel

    You may get to see Ezo red fox or Ezo squirrel

Reviews

12

Some reviews are AI-translated.

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    My first impression of Hokkaido Shrine was how beautiful it was! The wide approach is surrounded by trees on both sides, making it especially pleasant to walk along. The whole area is quiet and has a solemn atmosphere.

    The shrine’s architecture is simple yet impressive, and together with all the surrounding natural scenery, it made me want to keep stopping to take photos. Strolling around the shrine grounds felt especially relaxing, and I could also experience Hokkaido’s uniquely refreshing atmosphere.

    This visit to Hokkaido Shrine left me with wonderful memories. If I visit Sapporo again, I’d like to come back in a different season, as I’m sure each season offers different beautiful scenery.

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    Passing beneath the towering torii gate, I walked along the gravel-covered approach, surrounded by tall green trees and treetops just beginning to take on their fall colors. Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow, while the air was filled with the cool, refreshing scent of the forest.

    After passing through the intricately crafted wooden gate adorned with a massive straw shimenawa rope, the view suddenly opened up. Beneath the clear blue sky, the magnificent main shrine looked especially solemn and majestic. The delicate gold decorations along the eaves complemented the pure white curtains, creating a sacred and serene atmosphere.

    As I strolled through the clean, spacious shrine grounds, the only sounds were the rustling of the treetops in the wind and the occasional footsteps. In this setting, my mind naturally became completely still.

    Overall, this is a place of worship with a rich history and a quiet, peaceful beauty. Whether you want to admire traditional Japanese shrine architecture or enjoy a tranquil atmosphere away from the noise of the city, it is well worth slowing down and taking the time to visit.

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    Hokkaido Shrine is one of Hokkaido’s most iconic shrines, with a steady stream of visitors coming to worship throughout the year. The shrine is located near Maruyama Park and surrounded by expansive natural scenery. As soon as you enter, you can feel the solemn and peaceful atmosphere. It happened to be snowing when I visited this winter, and the entire shrine was covered in white, making the scenery especially magical. There weren’t too many visitors that day either, so it was particularly pleasant to walk around.

    Hokkaido Shrine has a different charm in every season. The snowy winter scenery feels completely different from the greenery of summer, so if you have time, I highly recommend visiting in different seasons. It’s also very close to Maruyama Zoo, making it easy to visit both on the same day for a fuller itinerary.

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    When visiting Sapporo, Hokkaido Shrine is definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Located in Maruyama Park, it has a different charm in every season and a steady stream of worshippers.

    This historic shrine is not only an important center of worship in Hokkaido, but also offers its own special beauty, whether you're viewing cherry and plum blossoms in spring or enjoying the snowy scenery in winter.

    Once inside the shrine grounds, away from the noise of the city, there's a peaceful and solemn atmosphere, making it especially pleasant to stroll around. If you happen to visit during the Sapporo Festival in June, you can also experience the lively atmosphere of a traditional Hokkaido festival.

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    Hokkaido Shrine is one of the most iconic shrines in Hokkaido, attracting a steady stream of local residents and tourists. Located near Maruyama Park, the shrine is surrounded by vast forests and nature. The peaceful scenery and solemn atmosphere also make it a well-known spiritual spot in Sapporo.

    On the day of our visit, we happened to come across the traditional Japanese celebration of Shichi-Go-San. It was heartwarming to see children dressed in cute, elaborate traditional outfits visiting the shrine with their parents.

    After your visit, don't forget to stop by the nearby Rokkatei Jingu Chaya. Not only can you buy Hokkaido souvenirs, but you can also try the Hokkaido Shrine-exclusive Hangan Mochi. Freshly made Hangan Mochi has a soft, chewy exterior filled with sweet red bean paste. Paired with the complimentary hot tea thoughtfully provided by the shop, it was very satisfying.

Details

Name in Japanese
北海道神宮
Postal Code
064-8505
Address
474 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
Telephone
011-611-0261
Admission
Free
Closed
Open every day
Hours
7:00am - 4:00pm (Prayer rituals and good luck charms available after 9am.)
* Varies depending on seasons. Refer to the official website.
Directions
From Subway Maruyama Koen Station, walk about 15 min.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa