Hokkaido Shrine

Hokkaido Shrine is located in Chuo Ward, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, and serves as the chief guardian shrine of the Hokkaido region. The shrine played a significant role during the early period of Hokkaido's development. At that time, Hokkaido faced Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, and due to considerations of defense against Russia, the main gate of the shrine was deliberately designed to face the northeast.

Within the grounds of the shrine is a sub-shrine called the "Kaitaku Shrine," which enshrines several individuals who made significant contributions to the development of Hokkaido, such as Yoshitake Shima and Rinzo Mamiya.

The origins of the shrine can be traced back to 1869 (Meiji 2), when Emperor Meiji issued a decree to hold a religious ceremony in Tokyo to enshrine three deities that protect Hokkaido’s development. These deities are Okunitama-no-kami, Onamuchi-no-kami, and Sukunahikona-no-kami, collectively known as the "Three Deities of Development." Later, Tokunaga Michitoshi, then head of the Kaitakushi (Development Commission), along with Shima Yoshitake, moved the enshrinement of these deities to Sapporo.

In 1870 (Meiji 3), a temporary shrine was built in Sapporo. In the following year, 1871 (Meiji 4), a formal shrine structure was constructed at the current site and was named “Sapporo Shrine.” Later, in 1964 (Showa 39), Emperor Meiji was also enshrined at the shrine, and it was renamed “Hokkaido Shrine.” Since then, the Association of Ichinomiya Shrines of Japan has officially recognized Hokkaido Shrine as the new Ichinomiya (highest-ranked shrine) of the historical province of Ezo, symbolizing its status as the most prestigious shrine in the region.