The "Hokumon Shrine Festival," the festival of Japan's northernmost guardian shrine, is held annually from July 4th to July 6th. Approximately 250 stalls line up mainly around the central arcade, and the northernmost summer begins with this festival. At the main hall of the shrine, performing arts dedications are held, and the main portable shrine carried by companies and organizations parades through Wakkanai city. Portable shrines from each neighborhood association and a grand music parade by students from Wakkanai city, among other events, make Wakkanai city lively.

On the 4th, at the Yoimiya Festival, performing arts dedications such as Nanchu Soran are held within the Hokumon Shrine grounds, and on the 5th, the main festival features a portable shrine procession that travels from Hokumon Shrine through the city. At the end, the sight of the portable shrine rushing up the shrine's stairs all at once upon its return to Hokumon Shrine is very powerful and impressive. On the 6th, after the bottom trawlers hold a maritime safety prayer festival, a prayer for safety and a bountiful catch is held at Esandomari Fishing Port in Noshappu, led by the Gozabune (sacred boat) carrying the portable shrine, with Tairyobata (big catch flags) raised.

The fishing boats moored at Wakkanai Port raise their Tairyobata (big catch flags), further enlivening the festival.