Shingonji - Hokkaido

Shingonji (真言寺) is temple #27 on the Hokkaido 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, located at 5-11-21 Central, Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture.

Shingonji (真言寺)

Shingonji details

(WINTER)

Shingonji was established in Taisho 7 (1918). It was formerly the Wakkanai branch of the Daishikyo Church under Toyama Kaisou Ito Satoshi.

Shingonji (真言寺)
Shingonji - Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture

It was bought by Eio Koni in 1954 and was renamed Shingonji, making it the northernmost Daishi Shingonji. It is also said that this temple was where the name Wakkanai was born. Presently, Nyoirin Kanzeon Bosatsu is enshrined in the temple. 

Welcome to Shingonji

Shingonji is temple #27 of the Hokkaido 33 Kannon Pilgrimage

I got to visit Shingonji for the first time last March 21, 2022. It was my 140th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. It was winter season when I visited so naturally the hill behind the temple was covered with snow. This made the vermilion color of the temple stand out adding beauty to it. 

Shingonji - 真言寺 

I met the monk of Shingonji

Shingonji facade

During my visit, the temple's monk was shoveling the snow that piled up on its vermilion-colored arch bridge. He was very welcoming and even signaled me to cross to bridge saying something that I was not able to catch. Probably he was telling me to come nearer the temple when he saw me taking photos of the temple facade. 

Poor child out in the cold like that

The mini shrine beside the temple

Two inari foxes and several deities guard this shrine

I did cross the bridge and went to take a closer look but I did not go into the temple. Later in the day, when I was reading about Shingonji, I discovered that visitors were allowed to visit the main hall on the second floor and the monk was actually telling me to go inside. Regardless, it only means that I have another reason to visit Shingonji in the future. Next time, hopefully with my family. 

Shingonji Entrance Fee

It's FREE to enter and explore Shingonji grounds and the main hall. 

Shingonji Operating Hours

Shingonji is open from 9AM - 5PM every day. However, if you want to make sure that someone is available, you may contact the temple at 016-23-4846.

Why visit Shingonji?

Although it is not as grand or as old as the temples in Kyoto and other famous pilgrimage cities of Japan, it is still worth including in your itinerary especially if you are into architectural photography. 

Getting to Shingonji


From Wakkanai Station, walk for about a kilometer via Route 234 and 40. Turn right once you reach the Chuo 5-Chome intersection. Shingonji is located at the far end of the street. 

Ratings:

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: 5-chōme-11-21 Chūō, Wakkanai, Hokkaido 097-0022, Japan

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 20, 2023 at 9:22 AM

    Shingonji looks nice! I will include it in my itinerary! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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