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Hokkaido Shrine

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Hokkaido Shrine

The Hokkaido Shrine was constructed based on modern shinmei zukuri style with unpainted wood and rooves made to look like a thatched roof. Many chigi, forked roof finials, and katsuogi, short decorative logs, adorn the top of the shrine. The haiden, hall of worship, is the area before the honden, main hall, where the deities are enshrined including the soul of Emperor Meiji. The honden is usually off limits to the public, but can be viewed from the haiden. The Hokkaido Shrine is also considered a power spot, when you can draw energy from the earth. In 1869, the Meiji government sent envoys to develop Hokkaido. It is also the year the Meiji Emperor issued an imperial order to build a Shinto shrine in Hokkaido. The Emperor chose to enshrine Okunitama, Okuninushi and Sukunaihikona to protect Hokkaido from Russia and watch over its development. Even though the enshrining ceremony was held in Tokyo, the three deities were later brought by officers in the Kaitakushi (Hokkaido Development Commission).

The shrine was completed in 1871 and was named Sapporo Shrine. From 1889 to 1946 the shrine received the highest designation you can receive from the government, which was Kanpei Taisha. It means Sapporo Shrine was one of the 67 sanctuaries that were closely associated with the imperial family. It also received ichinomiya, which means it was the first in their province. However, in 1964, the soul of Emperor Meiji was enshrined and the name of the shrine changed to Hokkaido Shrine. A fire destroyed the shrine in 1974 and it was rebuilt in 1978. Every year on June 16th, during the summer Sapporo Festival, groups of people carry mikoshi, portable shrines, around the city from the Hokkaido Shrine. It is said that the mikoshi are used to transport deities. The Sapporo Festival is the main festival of the Hokkaido Shrine and starts on June 14th and ends on June 16th.



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Charms of Hokkaido: Autumn Leaves & Salmon Run

Group Tour | Luxury        

Charms of Hokkaido: Autumn Leaves & Salmon Run
19 reviews

9 Days 8 Nights | from US $3698.00

Chitose / Shiraoi / Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Shiretoko / Lake Mashu / Lake Akan / Kushiro
Visit Hokkaido during the vibrant autumn season in time to see the annual Salmon Run, and experience the island's natural beauties as well as the native culture of the Ainu.
Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Compare Status
Sun. Oct 13, 2024 Mon. Oct 21, 2024 US $3698.00 Sapporo Kushiro Luxury Save this tour Book Now  
Sun. Oct 19, 2025 Mon. Oct 27, 2025 US $3698.00 Sapporo Kushiro Luxury Save this tour Book Now  
Best of Hokkaido & Honshu: Autumn Leaves & Salmon 
Run

Group Tour | Luxury        

Best of Hokkaido & Honshu: Autumn Leaves & Salmon Run

15 Days 14 Nights | from US $6098.00

Hokkaido (Chitose / Shiraoi / Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Shiretoko / Lake Mashu / Lake Akan / Kushiro), Honshu (Nara / Kyoto / Koka / Hakone / Mt Fuji / Tokyo)
This autumn tour through Japan combines the enchanting fall colors of Hokkaido with the best sightseeing spots of Honshu.
Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Compare Status
Sun. Oct 13, 2024 Sun. Oct 27, 2024 US $6098.00 Sapporo Tokyo Luxury Save this tour Book Now  
Sun. Oct 19, 2025 Sun. Nov 2, 2025 US $6098.00 Sapporo Tokyo Luxury Save this tour Book Now  
Best of Hokkaido & Honshu: Sapporo Autumn 
Fest with Expo 2025 Osaka

Group Tour | Luxury        

Best of Hokkaido & Honshu: Sapporo Autumn Fest with Expo 2025 Osaka

16 Days 15 Nights | from US $6398.00

Hokkaido (Shiraoi / Noboribetsu / Lake Toya / Nanae / Hakodate / Lake Onuma / Kuromatsunai / Niseko / Yoichi / Otaru / Sapporo), Honshu (Osaka / Nara / Kyoto / Koka / Hakone / Mt Fuji / Tokyo)
This autumn tour through Japan combines the vibrant Sapporo Autumn Fest with the best sightseeing spots of Honshu, plus a visit to Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai.
Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Compare Status
Sat. Sep 20, 2025 Sun. Oct 5, 2025 US $6398.00 Sapporo Tokyo Luxury Save this tour Book Now  
Discover Hokkaido - Winter Festivals

Group Tour | Luxury        

Discover Hokkaido - Winter Festivals

12 Days 11 Nights | from US $5998.00 (Limit to 24 guests)

Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Abashiri / Shiretoko / Lake Mashu / Mt Io / Lake Kussharo / Lake Akan / Tsurui / Obihiro / Shikaoi / Furano
Join a 12-day tour of Hokkaido and discover the seasonal beauty and cultural wonders that make the this island special - including three Hokkaido Snow Festivals.
Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Compare Status
Thu. Feb 8, 2024 Mon. Feb 19, 2024 US $5998.00

Small Group Limited to 24 passengers

Sapporo Sapporo Luxury Save this tour Sold Out
Thu. Feb 6, 2025 Mon. Feb 17, 2025 US $5998.00

Small Group Limited to 24 passengers

Sapporo Sapporo Luxury Save this tour Book Now  
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