Hokkaido Shrine 北海道神宮 in Sapporo City was built in 1869 when Hokkaido settlement first started and has become one of the most popular Japanese temples in Hokkaido. Located in Sapporo’s Maruyama Park, this Shinto shrine is a beautiful and serene place with 1,500 cherry trees and is a very popular destination for people to enjoy blossom viewing parties, usually in early May during or around Golden Week (Spring holiday).
HOKKAIDO Shinto shrine.
At first three deities—Ōkunitama the God of the land of Hokkaido from which all things are able to be produced in nature, Okuninushi the God of making and developing the land, and Sukunahikona the God of healing who cooperates with Onamuchi to reclaim the land, were enshrined there, and it was called Sapporo Jinja. In 1964, when the soul of the Meiji Emperor was enshrined, its name was changed to Hokkaido Shrine.
札幌 – 北海道神宮
The Hokkaido Shrine covers an area over 180,000 square meters and has 1,500 cherry trees, and when they are in full bloom, many people enjoy blossom viewing parties, usually in early May during or around Golden Week (Spring holiday). In early summer, enjoy the Hokkaido Shrine Festival. Fortunes are available for about 200 yen and English ones are available as well for Omikuji so you can tie them up for good fortune.
Hokkaido Shrine cherry blossoms (photo: iyoupapa/flickr)
The major festivals include:
1. Festival of New Year (January 1st) – Commemorates the first day of the year, praying for a peaceful world, for Japan, and the prosperity of the Imperial Household.
2. Festival of the parting of the seasons (February 3rd) – Commemorates the beginning of spring and ceremony of praying for the coming in of good fortune and driving out all devils by throwing beans.
3. Commemoration of the founding of Japan (February 11th) – Commemorates the founding of Japan by accession to the throne of Emperor Jinmu, over 2600 years ago.
4. Festival of praying for the fertility of crops (February 17th) – Prayers for the prosperity of all kinds of industries and the fertility of farm products.
5. Main festival of Hokkaido Shrine (June 14th-16th) – One of the 10 biggest festival in Japan, and the largest festival in Hokkaido with over 1 million people visiting).
6. The Great Purification Ceremony (June 30th) – Purifying sins, and recharging the spirit.
7. Festival of the Pioneers Shrine (August15th) – In honor of 34 men involved with the reclamation of Hokkaido. 500 children carry the portable shrines downtown.
8. Festival of memorial enshrined deities (September 1st) – Commemorates the enshrining of the 3 dieties in 1871.
9. Festival of Meiji (November 3rd) Commemorates the birth of Emperor Meiji.
10. Thanksgiving festival (November 23rd) – Originated from the new rice festival, a festival to celebrate the first crop of the year, when the Japanese Emperor offers the new harvest of rice to the gods oh heaven and earth to thank them for the good harvest and to pray for future blessing. The Emperor himself eats the fresh rice in private with the gods.
11. Festival of present Emperor’s birthday (December 23rd) – Offering the present Emperor our hearty congratulations for his long life.
Hokkaido Shrine blessings
Monthly festivals take place on the 1st, 10th, 15th and 20th at 10a.m. Prayers for a peaceful world and for Japan, for the prosperity of the Imperial Household and Hokkaido
Directions: It is about a 10 minute walk from the Maruyama Station. Take the Tozai Subway line west to Maruyama Station and walk west to Maruyama Park. The scenic path through the park will take you to the Torii gate for the steps up to the shrine.
photos by:
MIKI Yoshihito (´･ω･) &
jiashiang
