The Most Beautiful Shrines and Temples in Hokkaido
TLDR
Hokkaido’s shrines and temples reflect its unique frontier history and blend Shinto, Buddhism, Ainu spirituality, and Western influences.
Hokkaido Shrine (Sapporo): spiritual heart of the island.
Kamikawa Shrine (Asahikawa): gateway to Daisetsuzan.
Hakodate: home to Shinto, Buddhist, and Western religious sites.
Otaru: small shrines tied to its merchant and fishing history.
Lake Toya and Usu Shrine: shrines in volcanic landscapes.
Visiting these sites offers a mix of spirituality, history, and seasonal beauty.
Shrines, Temples, and History in the Far North
Unlike Kyoto or Nara, Hokkaido is a relatively new frontier in Japanese history, only fully settled during the Meiji era. Yet its shrines and temples carry a distinct cultural weight — they tell stories of pioneers, Ainu heritage, Western encounters in port cities, and the blending of nature with spirituality. For travellers, these sites are not just religious monuments but windows into the layered history of Japan’s northernmost island.
Hokkaido Shrine (Sapporo) — The Island’s Spiritual Centre
Built in 1869 to enshrine the deities protecting Hokkaido’s development, Hokkaido Shrine sits on the edge of Maruyama Park in Sapporo. It is a focal point for festivals and ceremonies, particularly:
Sapporo Festival (June) – a grand procession of mikoshi (portable shrines).
Cherry blossom season (May) – one of Sapporo’s best hanami spots.
Hatsumōde (New Year) – thousands of visitors pray for luck and health.
Kamikawa Shrine (Asahikawa) — Gateway to the Mountains
Located near the entrance to Daisetsuzan National Park, Kamikawa Shrine is considered the spiritual gateway to Hokkaido’s largest mountain range. Surrounded by forests, it feels deeply connected to the landscape, especially in autumn when the approach glows with red and gold leaves.
Hakodate — A City of Religious Crossroads
Hakodate was one of Japan’s first ports opened to foreign trade in the 19th century, and its religious landscape reflects this history. Here, shrines and temples stand alongside Western-influenced churches.
Hakodate Hachiman Shrine: Established in 1445, one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Hokkaido, overlooking the city from Mount Hakodate.
Trappistine Convent: Founded by French nuns in 1898, still active today, producing sweets and pastries.
Hakodate Orthodox Church: Built in 1859 for the Russian community, with striking onion domes.
Together, these sites reflect Hakodate’s role as a cosmopolitan entry point into Japan.
Otaru — Shrines of a Merchant Town
Otaru, once a thriving herring fishing port and financial hub, carries a quieter but equally fascinating shrine culture.
Suitengu Shrine: Dedicated to safe childbirth and maritime protection, with views of Otaru Bay.
Temiya Shrine: A modest Shinto shrine tied to the city’s fishing history.
These shrines connect Otaru’s commercial past with the daily lives of its townspeople.
Lake Toya and Usu Shrine — Spirituality in Volcanic Landscapes
Lake Tōya, a caldera lake framed by Mount Usu, is not only a scenic wonder but also home to Usu Shrine. The shrine highlights the deep connection between spirituality and the volcanic forces that have shaped Hokkaido’s land. Visiting in winter, with snow piled on torii gates and steam rising from nearby hot springs, is particularly moving.
Ainu Spiritual Heritage — Beyond Shrines and Temples
Hokkaido is also home to the indigenous Ainu people, whose spirituality is rooted in reverence for kamuy (gods or spirits) inhabiting animals, rivers, and mountains. While less visible than Shinto shrines, sites such as Upopoy National Ainu Museum in Shiraoi showcase rituals, songs, and crafts that remain central to Hokkaido’s cultural fabric.
Why Visit Shrines and Temples in Hokkaido?
Visiting shrines and temples here is not only about religion. It is about tracing the story of Hokkaido itself: the pioneers who settled the land, the Ainu who first called it home, the international merchants of Hakodate and Otaru, and the timeless link between spirituality and nature. For travellers, these sacred sites are places where history, culture, and natural beauty converge.
References:
Japan Guide. “Hokkaido Shrine.” https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5306.html
Japan Guide. “Kamikawa Shrine.” https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6775.html
Japan Guide. “Hakodate Travel: Religious Sites.” https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5355.html
Japan Guide. “Otaru Travel Guide.” https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6700.html
Japan Guide. “Lake Tōya.” https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6725.html
Upopoy National Ainu Museum. “About Upopoy.” https://ainu-upopoy.jp/en
