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Hokkaido Shrine New Year's Day Guide: Traffic Restrictions, Access, and Public Transportation
Traffic regulations, access, and public transport information
Some roads around Hokkaido Shrine will be closed or one-way from around 11:00 PM on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to around 6:00 PM on New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1, 2028 (national holiday). Since congestion is expected to be particularly high during the peak of the New Year's visit to the shrine, we recommend using public transportation.
Image: Hokkaido Shrine official website (PDF)
The operation information for major public transport is as follows:
■ Sapporo Municipal Subway: New Year's holiday (December 29th to January 3rd) will operate on a weekend and holiday schedule. ■ Bus: On January 1st, the following bus routes will operate: ・JR Hokkaido Bus (Maruyama Park Station⇔Jingumae): 9:07-16:55 ・Bankei Bus (Maruyama Park Station⇔Jingumae): 8:40-18:40 *Both bus stops are at Maruyama Bus Terminal, Bus Stop No. 4 ■ Taxis: From December 31st to January 5th, the taxi stand will be located at the Kitaichijo Parking Lot Jingu Taxi Stand.
Image: Hokkaido Shrine official website (PDF)
The parking lots, "Kita 1-jo Parking Lot" and "Minami 1-jo Parking Lot," are available at special parking rates during the New Year period (December 31st 18:00 to January 7th 18:00). The fee is 500 yen for the first two hours from the time of entry (500 yen per hour after two hours). As the area is expected to be extremely crowded during the New Year's visit, we recommend that you allow yourself plenty of time if you are coming by car.
The year's plans are made on New Year's Day! I hope this year will be a good one for everyone.
Hokkaido Shrine is very crowded on New Year's Day, but on the day itself, there are also many stalls set up and it becomes lively. Come and pray for the new year and get off to a great start with your family and friends.
