Kamikawa Shrine - Hokkaido

Kamikawa Shrine (上川神社 頓宮) is a historic Shinto shrine located in the middle of Tokiwa Park in Asahikawa City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

上川神社
Kamikawa Shrine

Kamikawa Shrine details

Kamikawa Shrine is locally referred to as Kamikawa Jinja. It was said that in July of 1881, the founders of then Asahikawa town enshrined the Amaterasu (天照皇大御神) on a hill called Yoshitsunedai which is present-day Miyashitadori 4-7 Chome (near present-day Asahikawa Station). Amaterasu is seen as the guardian of Asahikawa and also of the development of the Kamikawa Region. 

Kamikawa Shrine - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido

Aside from the kami Amaterasu, Kamikawa Shrine is also dedicated to Ōkuninushi (大己貴大神), Sukunabikona no Ōkami (少彦名大神), Toyoukebime (豊受姫神), Ōmononushi (大物主神), Ame-no-Kaguyama-no-Mikoto (天乃香久山神), Takeminakata (建御名方神), Emperor Ōjin as Hondawake no Mikoto (譽田分命).

Kamikawa Shrine as seen from Tokiwa Park

Kamikawa Shrine's Choyuza

The goshuin area of Kamikawa Shrine

Kamikawa Shrine facade

Kamikawa Shrine
The ema and wishing papers are placed here. 

Kamikawa Shrine was moved to 6-7 Jodori Chome in 1891 after the establishment of the railway and the eventual development of the town. It was moved again in June 1918 to Kaguraoka which is its present-day location. After finalizing its location, the main shrine and Tongu shrine were built. Since then, Kamikawa Shrine is not only been visited by local and foreign visitors but it is also visited by some members of the Imperial family. The shrine's annual festival is held on July 21. 

Kamikawa Shrine goshuin

I got to visit Kamikawa Shrine during my Asahikawa Day Trip last November 21, 2021 (Sunday), which was my 3rd weekend here in Hokkaido Prefecture. It was also my 20th day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. During my visit, I did not miss out on the opportunity to get Kamikawa Shrine's goshuin for my collection. 

Kamikawa Shrine Entrance Fee

It's FREE to enter and explore Kamikawa Shrine grounds. However, you need to pay 300 yen for the goshuin.

Kamikawa Shrine Operating Hours 

Kamikawa Shrine is open from 9AM - 4PM

Why visit Kamikawa Shrine?

Kamikawa Shrine is one of the historic shrines of Hokkaido Prefecture. Its location inside Tokiwa Park also makes it one of the most scenic. Make sure to include this in your itinerary if you plan to visit Asahikawa City. 

Getting to Kamikawa Shrine


From Asahikawa Station, you can walk for about 15-20 minutes through Heiwa Shopping Street to reach Tokiwa Park. Kamikawa Shrine is inside the park. 

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Comments

  1. Oh no! I missed this one. I attended the Asahikawa Snow Fest and went to Tokiwa Park but wasn't able to see it.

    ReplyDelete

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