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A Heartwarming Visit to Hokumon Jinja, Japan's Northernmost Shrine with a Resident Priest
A 15-minute walk from JR Soya Main Line's Wakkanai Station, overlooking Wakkanai Port, you'll find Hokumon Jinja Shrine. It holds the distinction of being the northernmost shrine in Japan with a resident priest. Recently, its accessibility has made it a popular spot not only for locals but also for visitors who collect goshuin (shrine stamps).
We heard they have some unique fortunes, so why not take a peek?
Hokumon Jinja Shrine was relocated to its current site in 1896. Since then, it has been cherished by the local community as a spiritual anchor. Upon entering the grounds, the first thing to notice is the komainu (guardian lion-dogs). If you look closely at the foot of the komainu on the left, you'll see a small pup sitting there.
Because of this unusual komainu, it is said that worshipping at Hokumon Jinja Shrine will bless you with children. The adorable image of the komainu with its pup is also featured on the design of their child-blessing amulets (Kosazuke Omamori).
The shrine's origins trace back to a man named Murayama Denbei, who, after seeing a crowd worshipping the sun on the beach, established a shrine in Soya as a guardian deity for maritime safety and abundant catches. For this reason, it is still visited by many people from the fishing industry today.
After praying, how about drawing an omikuji (paper fortune)? While they have regular ones, Hokumon Jinja Shrine is actually one of the 12 shrines that offer the "Ezo Mikuji," a series of local Hokkaido-themed fortunes.
Ezo Mikuji are unique fortunes written in the Hokkaido dialect, with motifs of local specialties. At Hokumon Jinja Shrine, you can get the "Ikani mo ii mikuji" (A Very "Crab-tivating" Fortune) for 400 yen, which is a papier-mâché crab.
With its soothing komainu and smile-inducing Ezo Mikuji, Hokumon Jinja Shrine is a place that warms the heart. If you're visiting Wakkanai, why not stop by? The path from the shrine grounds to Wakkanai is also maintained as a walking trail, offering a chance to refresh both mind and body.
Hokumon Jinja Shrine
Location: 1-1-21 Chuo, Wakkanai, Hokkaido
Phone: 0162-22-2944
We heard they have some unique fortunes, so why not take a peek?
Hokumon Jinja Shrine was relocated to its current site in 1896. Since then, it has been cherished by the local community as a spiritual anchor. Upon entering the grounds, the first thing to notice is the komainu (guardian lion-dogs). If you look closely at the foot of the komainu on the left, you'll see a small pup sitting there.
Because of this unusual komainu, it is said that worshipping at Hokumon Jinja Shrine will bless you with children. The adorable image of the komainu with its pup is also featured on the design of their child-blessing amulets (Kosazuke Omamori).
The shrine's origins trace back to a man named Murayama Denbei, who, after seeing a crowd worshipping the sun on the beach, established a shrine in Soya as a guardian deity for maritime safety and abundant catches. For this reason, it is still visited by many people from the fishing industry today.
After praying, how about drawing an omikuji (paper fortune)? While they have regular ones, Hokumon Jinja Shrine is actually one of the 12 shrines that offer the "Ezo Mikuji," a series of local Hokkaido-themed fortunes.
Ezo Mikuji are unique fortunes written in the Hokkaido dialect, with motifs of local specialties. At Hokumon Jinja Shrine, you can get the "Ikani mo ii mikuji" (A Very "Crab-tivating" Fortune) for 400 yen, which is a papier-mâché crab.
With its soothing komainu and smile-inducing Ezo Mikuji, Hokumon Jinja Shrine is a place that warms the heart. If you're visiting Wakkanai, why not stop by? The path from the shrine grounds to Wakkanai is also maintained as a walking trail, offering a chance to refresh both mind and body.
Hokumon Jinja Shrine
Location: 1-1-21 Chuo, Wakkanai, Hokkaido
Phone: 0162-22-2944
Writer Profile
Hokkaido Tourism Camera-Writer
Team Buchineko
We are "Team Buchineko," a group with extensive connections to tourist spots and facilities in Hokkaido. Even things that seem ordinary to us living in Hokkaido are wonderful resources. We aim to share the charm of this amazing prefecture.
