Hokkaido Jingu is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Sapporo. Hokkaido Jingu, Hokkaido Shrine is located at the west end of downtown Sapporo, called ‘Maruyama'(円山), a gently-sloping hill. When you go out from No.3 exit at Maruyama Kouen Station, you’ll see the entrance of Maruyama Park ahead across the road. Walking to the end of the path, an open space will appears. That is the front of the Shrine. First of all, you have to go left side, ‘Temizu-ya’. Not only for purifying your hands and mouth, but also your mind.
Access
Subway+Bus
- Take a Tozai Line(東西線) to Maruyama Kouen(円山公園) and exit No2 at Maruyama Bus Terminal.
- Take a bus: 西14 or 西15 to Jingu Mae(神宮前)
Subway+Walk
- Take a Tozai Line(東西線) to Maruyama Kouen(円山公園) .
- exit No3 for Maruyama Park(円山公園), Maruyama Zoo(円山動物園), Hokkaido Jingu(北海道神宮)
- 15min walking through the Maruyama Park.
Subway+Taxi
- Take a Taxi if there are more than 3 people, just 3 min.
Map
How to purify, called ‘Temizu’（手水）
- Take a ladle with right hand.
- Ladle water and wet your left hand. Don’t do this above the water-vessel.
- Ladle water with left hand and wet your right.
- Ladle water with right hand again and catch a dip with left hand.
- Take a dip in your mouth. No need to swallow it, just spit it out gently. Don’t touch ladle with your mouth.
- Ladle water again with right hand and wet your left hand again.
- That’s it. Good job! Now you’re completely purified. This manner is a kind of pretend as your body and mind are washed and pure.
Even if in the winter, you’re supposed to do ‘Purify’ before worship. A big straw rope, ‘Shime-nawa’ indicates there is a sacred area behind the rope, where deities reside.
Hokkaido Jingu, Hokkaido Shrine was built in 1871 named as Sapporo Jinjya(Shrine). There are three deities worshiped at that time. The Shrine was renamed Hokkaido Jingu(Shrine) in 1964 because the Emperor Meiji was enshrined as a deity. The Emperor Meiji had named Hokkaido instead of Ezo for ruling the northernmost island of Japan in the Meiji period.
Unfortunately, The main building of the shrine was burned down in 1974. Somebody set fire and the case has been unsolved. The Shrine was rebuild in 1978.
From the midnight of December 31st to New year January 1st, mega dozens of people go to Hokkaido Jingu. It takes more than 1 hour for people walking from the entrance to the main building. This happens every new year.
more spots worth visiting if you have time
see more detail about Maruyama Area by Google Map Engine
Maruyama Zoo 円山動物園
The Zoo is located to the opposite side of Hokkaido Shrine. As you leave behind the Shrine, take the right side path to the parking for Urasando. Through the parking, you will see the small building of Maruyama Hachijyu-Hakkasho in the woods. Then you go up to the right way for Maruyama Zoo. It takes within 5 minutes by walk. Maruyama Zoo has been renovating its old facilities so that many people have been coming back here not only families but also young couples. Asahiyama Zoo in the city of Asahikawa became the most famous zoo in Japan. But Maruyama Zoo has been making efforts for presentations recently. Very fun! see Maruyama Zoo WEB site
Maruyama Baseball Stadium 円山球場
Next to the Shrine, amateur baseball games take place here such as the high school baseball games. It has over 70 years-history so that many professional baseball games were held here before Sapporo Dome was built.
Maruyama athletic field 円山競技場
Next to the Maruyama Baseball Stadium. In winter, you can play skating. There are rental equipments for skating.
Maruyama Park 円山公園
You’re already in the Maruyama Park! You were walking through the Park as you coming. There are many cherry blossoms and people have a ‘Hanami’ party in the early May.
Maruyama Hachijyu-Hakkasho, eighty-eight Buddhistic spots 円山八十八カ所
This is a small mountain climbing. It takes about 40 minutes to the top of the Mt.Maruyama. You have to prepare especially your shoes, trekking shoes or climbing shoes better. The area, ‘Maruyama Genshirin’ 円山原始林 is primeval forest. You can experience an untouched forest left in the urban city.
Miyakoshiya Coffee Shop 宮越屋珈琲
When you come back to the subway station, you may drop in at the coffee shop. Walking down along with the ‘Urasando’, you will find a chic building. see Miyakoshiya Coffee Shop WEB site (no english site)
Rokkatei 六花亭
This is one of the most well-known old-established store in Hokkaido. The shop is so familiar that it’s crowded all the time. They have not only some old fashioned Japanese cakes but also new modern sweets. coffe shop : 10:30-18:00
Atelier Root3 アトリエ ルート スリー
Craft shop for interior, accessary and orgel(a music box). The shop is located along with ‘Kanjo-dori’ 環状通. See Googlemaps for its location. There are many handmade crafts with copper and ‘Shippo-yaki’, an industrial enamel-based art object called cloisonné ware. Every products are very unique souvenirs. The shop is also a studio for making ‘Shippo-yaki’ and the other products are made in the studio of Jozankei, the southmost ward of Sapporo, very famous hot spring area. see Atelier Root3 web site(no English)
Maruyama Class 円山クラス
Fashion, Foods, Interior, Books, ,Restaurants, 100 yen shop are there.
Yoneya 米屋
Old-fashioned Japanese sweets, called ‘Wagashi’. Yoneya is one of the ‘shinise’, an old-established store in Sapporo. it’s worth visit.
