Hokumon Shrine - Hokkaido

Hokumon Shrine (北門神社) is the northernmost manned shrine in Japan. It is located at 1 Chome 1-21 Central, Wakkanai City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Wakkanai CIty, Hokkaido
Hokumon Shrine

Hokumon Shrine details

(WINTER)

Hokumon Shrine was established in 1785 (Tenmei 5) by Denbei Murayama who was a contractor of the Matsumae domain that was stationed in Soya. He built a small shrine and enshrined the deity Amaterasu Omikami there as the guardian deity of the north gate and named this shrine Soya Ojingu. 

Hokumon Shrine - Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture

In 1897, the shrine was relocated to its current location. The deities Takemikazuchi and Kotoshironushi were also enshrined there. 

The path going up to Hokumon Shrine

The second torii of Hokumon Shrine. The first one is located along Soya Sunset Road

Hokumon Shrine un-gyō komainu

Hokumon Shrine a-gyō komainu

One of the mini-shrines inside the Hokumon Shrine grounds

Google translates this to Loyalty Soul Monument

Another mini-shrine on Hokumon Shrine grounds

Chōzu-ya of Hokumon Shrine

Another mini-shrine on Hokumon Shrine grounds

Hokumon Shrine emas

Sadly, the shrine was burned to the ground along with dozens of houses and buildings because of the Wakkanai Wildfire of 1911. Reconstruction works were immediately started but it was only in 1918 that the reconstruction of the shrine was completed. Also in that year, Hokumon Shrine was promoted to become the village shrine. Since then, the shrine has continuously served as a sanctuary for the people and its community. As of this writing, the shrines serve around 18,000 households. 

Photos of Hokumon Shrine

Hokumon Shrine (北門神社)




I got to visit Hokumon Shrine for the first time last March 21, 2022. It was my 140th day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. It was the Shunbun no Hi or Vernal Equinox Day holiday when I visited. The shrine is located halfway up a hill which gives it a nice view. it has an area of 244.2 square meters. 

Hokumon Shrine Entrance Fee

It's FREE to enter and explore Hokumon Shrine ground. 


Hokumon Shrine Operating Hours

Hokumon Shrine grounds are open 24/7 but the shrine operates from 9AM - 4PM. 

Why visit Hokumon Shrine?

Hokumon Shrine is located halfway up a hill. Aside from its beautiful facade, you would also get to see a nice view of the city. If you want to get a better view, there is a pathway up the hill behind the shrine going to Wakkanai Park.

Getting to Hokumon Shrine



From Wakkanai Station, walk westward via Route 106 then turn right at Soya Sunset until you see a large torii. Follow it until you see some steps up the hill. Head up until you reach Hokumon Shrine.

Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: 1-chōme-1-21 Chūō, Wakkanai, Hokkaido 097-0022, Japan

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 25, 2023 at 7:46 AM

    What a beautiful shrine! I will visit Hokumon Shrine when I drive to Wakkanai next month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioAugust 2, 2023 at 2:46 PM

      Enjoy your trip! I hope you could share your pics of Hokumon Shrine.

      Delete

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