A branch of Hokkaidô Jingû in Maruyama Park, Hokkaidô Jingû Tongû is the shrine where several mikoshi (portable shrines) are stored throughout the year. It is located on the central east side of Sapporo only a few blocks from the clock tower in Odori Park. Because this shrine is small and rather quiet, I couldn’t find any information about when the shrine was built or if there is a greater purpose for the shrine beyond storage responsibilities. That being said, I would make the assumption that this shrine was like a satellite of the main Hokkaidô Jingû in Maruyama that likely served the more immediate spiritual needs to the people living in this particular section of Sapporo.

For the casual: 4. For the educated: 4.

I gave this shrine a low grade really only because there’s no great need to go there. It does have its own Goshuin for those wondering, but other than that, there’s nothing about it that calls a great deal of attention to itself. Honestly, I just found it while walking to the Sapporo Beer Museum. I guess one could describe it as functional or egalitarian. It serves all the purposes of any other shrine, but it doesn’t need to reach beyond that: it knows its responsibilities to the community and does just that. I will say that I enjoyed this shrine quite a bit just because it was a lovely quiet spot in the area. The trees are really nice and the shrine offices have some lovely paintings to see on the walls accompanied by relaxing music.

Hokkaidô Jingû is the premier shrine to the island, and was founded by Emperor Meiji in 1869 following his ascention. The shrine was built to offer spiritual assistance to the pioneers working through the forests. The shrine is home to “the Three Pioneer Deities” and was positioned in the area of Maruyama because of the three mountains that surrounded it. Later under Emperor Showa, the venerated spirit of Emperor Meiji was enshrined in Hokkaidô Jingû making it one of only a few shrines in Japan to be home to four different deities.

For the casual: 7. For the educated: 6.

Hokkaidô Jingû, as mentioned above, is the premier shrine to the area, and is the most important shrine in Hokkaido. It’s a beautiful shrine, deserving of the title Jingû, and it sits within a wonderful public park perfect for picnics, parties, and other pleasantries. Ok, I won’t lie, I definitely noticed that alliteration and decided to go with it. I really do believe that the shrine and the larger Maruyama park are a wonderful place to spend a sunny afternoon, just be careful of the crafty ravens looking for some mischief. After visiting the shrine or enjoying the park, Maruyama Zoo is just up the street.