• See More

    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.

  • See More

    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.

  • See More

    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.

  • See More

    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.

  • See More

    This shrine is dedicated to the three deities of Hokkaido’s development, making it really representative of the region’s history. It’s not as crowded as the big shrines in Tokyo, so it’s a comfortable place to visit.

  • See More

    Hokkaido Shrine is famous for its rich historical atmosphere and sacred feeling. It's a place that really purifies your soul.

  • See More

    There are tons of cherry trees planted near the shrine, and when they're in full bloom, the scenery is just breathtaking. It's also a major center of faith for locals in Hokkaido.

  • See More

    You can spend a relaxing afternoon strolling around the shrine, Maruyama Zoo, and Maruyama Park nearby.

  • See More

    There are so many types of omamori, and each one is beautifully crafted. I definitely recommend picking some up as souvenirs.

  • See More

    It used to be called Sapporo Shrine, but after they started enshrining Emperor Meiji, who contributed to Hokkaido's development, it was renamed Hokkaido Shrine. The security staff here are really diligent—when our group was taking photos and talking loudly, they immediately asked us to quiet down.

Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa