Namporo Shrine also Nanporo Shrine (南幌神社) is the main shrine of the town of Namporo. It is located at 5 Chome-6-1 Midorimachi in the town of Namporo in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Namporo Shrine also Nanporo Shrine |
Namporo Shrine Details
Shrines hold a special place in Japanese culture, serving as sacred spaces where people can connect with the divine. In the small village of Horomukai, now known as Namporo, a shrine was built by pioneer groups who immigrated from various parts of Japan in the late 19th century. This shrine, called Namporo Shrine, was established to protect the village as it underwent development.
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| Namporo Shrine - Namporo town, Hokkaido Prefecture |
The settlers of Horomukai Village sought divine protection for their new settlement, and thus they enshrined four deities at Namporo Shrine. These deities included Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess, Hachiman Okami, the god of warriors and protector of the nation, Iyahiko Okami, a local deity from Yahiko Village, and Shiratori no Okami, a revered deity. Together, these guardian deities were believed to watch over and safeguard the village.
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| Namporo Shrine's main torii |
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| 南幌神社 |
Originally, the shrine was known as Horomukai Shrine when it was first established in 1891. However, it was later classified as a mukaku shrine in 1901, which denotes a shrine without a dedicated main hall. In 1919, the shrine was relocated to its current position, and a religious corporation known as Murasha was established. Finally, in 1945, the shrine obtained official recognition as a religious corporation. However, this was not the end of its journey.
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| The path to the main hall |
In 1963, the town underwent a name change, and subsequently, the shrine's name was also changed to Minamipporo Shrine. Later, the name was further modified to its current name - Nanporo Shrine. This series of name changes reflects the ever-evolving nature of the village and the shrine's importance in it.
Namporo Shrine's Main Hall
The architectural design of Namporo Shrine follows the Shinmei-zukuri style, which is a traditional Japanese architectural form characterized by a thatched roof. This design choice adds to the shrine's aesthetic appeal and cultural significance.
Monuments to see inside Namporo Shrine grounds
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| The ema boards displayed in Namporo Shrine |
Currently, Namporo Shrine covers a total area of 112.39 square meters and serves approximately 3,300 households in the surrounding area. It stands as a testament to the settlers' determined spirit and their desire for divine protection in the face of progress and development.
Namporo Shrine's komainu
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| Namporo Shrine's a-gyo |
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| Namporo Shrine's un-gyo |
Visiting Namporo Shrine today provides a unique glimpse into the history and heritage of this small village community. The tranquil atmosphere, beautifully constructed shrine buildings, and the presence of the guardian deities create a sense of awe and reverence.
Team Nicerio visits Namporo Shrine
My family and I first visited Namporo Shrine last October 8, 2022, during our “October 8-10” Road Trip. It was my 341st day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. My family and I visited the shrine as part of our family tradition of visiting the main shrine of the municipality which we will visit for the first time. During our visit, we offered prayers and also paid our respects.
Namporo Shrine Fees
It’s FREE to enter and explore Namporo Shrine grounds. However, you should bring cash if you collect goshuin as they don’t accept credit cards. Aside from the Namporo Shrine goshuin, you can also get the goshuin of Tsunoda Shrine in the town of Kuriyama here.
Namporo Shrine Operating Hours
Namporo Shrine grounds are open 24/7. However, like most shrines, the shrine office is open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
Why visit Namporo Shrine?
If you find yourself in Namporo Village or the surrounding area, be sure to visit Namporo Shrine. Immerse yourself in the rich history and spirituality that this sacred space encapsulates, and experience the deep connection between the people and their guardian deities. Also don’t forget the Namporo Shrine goshuin for your collection.
Getting to Namporo Shrine
From Sapporo Station, take the JR Hakodate Line's Local Ebetsu train and disembark at Takasago Station.
Upon arrival, make your way to the Takasago Eki mae bus stop and hop on the Sapporo Daiko-sen (札幌代行線) Namporo Higashimachi bus. Alight at Namporo Shobosho mae bus stop, then stroll approximately 600 meters to reach Nanporo Shrine.
Travel time: 1 hour and 23 minutes
Fare: 930 yen
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