Shingonji - Hokkaido

Shingonji (真言寺) is temple #27 on the Hokkaido 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, located at 5-11-21 Central, Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture.

Shingonji (真言寺)

Shingonji details

(WINTER)

Shingonji was established in Taisho 7 (1918). It was formerly the Wakkanai branch of the Daishikyo Church under Toyama Kaisou Ito Satoshi.

Shingonji (真言寺)
Shingonji - Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture

It was bought by Eio Koni in 1954 and was renamed Shingonji, making it the northernmost Daishi Shingonji. It is also said that this temple was where the name Wakkanai was born. Presently, Nyoirin Kanzeon Bosatsu is enshrined in the temple. 

Welcome to Shingonji

Shingonji is temple #27 of the Hokkaido 33 Kannon Pilgrimage

I got to visit Shingonji for the first time last March 21, 2022. It was my 140th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. It was winter season when I visited so naturally the hill behind the temple was covered with snow. This made the vermilion color of the temple stand out adding beauty to it. 

Shingonji - 真言寺 

I met the monk of Shingonji

Shingonji facade

During my visit, the temple's monk was shoveling the snow that piled up on its vermilion-colored arch bridge. He was very welcoming and even signaled me to cross to bridge saying something that I was not able to catch. Probably he was telling me to come nearer the temple when he saw me taking photos of the temple facade. 

Poor child out in the cold like that

The mini shrine beside the temple

Two inari foxes and several deities guard this shrine

I did cross the bridge and went to take a closer look but I did not go into the temple. Later in the day, when I was reading about Shingonji, I discovered that visitors were allowed to visit the main hall on the second floor and the monk was actually telling me to go inside. Regardless, it only means that I have another reason to visit Shingonji in the future. Next time, hopefully with my family. 

Shingonji Entrance Fee

It's FREE to enter and explore Shingonji grounds and the main hall. 

Shingonji Operating Hours

Shingonji is open from 9AM - 5PM every day. However, if you want to make sure that someone is available, you may contact the temple at 016-23-4846.

Why visit Shingonji?

Although it is not as grand or as old as the temples in Kyoto and other famous pilgrimage cities of Japan, it is still worth including in your itinerary especially if you are into architectural photography. 

Getting to Shingonji


From Wakkanai Station, walk for about a kilometer via Route 234 and 40. Turn right once you reach the Chuo 5-Chome intersection. Shingonji is located at the far end of the street. 

Ratings:

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: 5-chōme-11-21 Chūō, Wakkanai, Hokkaido 097-0022, Japan

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 20, 2023 at 9:22 AM

    Shingonji looks nice! I will include it in my itinerary! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort - Cavite

Image
UPDATED: October 30, 2020 Located in Tanza in the province of Cavite, Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort is a stunningly luxurious getaway with reasonable (and some say affordable) prices. Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort Details Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort is a place recommended for those who are looking for a quality stay that is just a stone's throw away from Manila. It's also a perfect place for a quick weekend getaway or a summer escapade with the family or  barkada .  This place also prides itself on its hotel accommodations and its outdoor facilities. Not to forget, the delicious food served in its in-house restaurant. Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort   - Tanza, Cavite The pool as seen from the hotel building The huts near the beach Speaking of its hotel, seeing it for the first time would make you say that it's not your ordinary cheap hotel. When you enter it, you'd be welcomed by an elegant modern architectural designed interior. The
Keep reading

A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps

Image
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference.  Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Keep reading

Hiking Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Image
Our adventure today takes us to a mountain south of Metro Manila. Mt. Gulugod Baboy  (other variations Mt. Gulugod-Baboy ) is located in Anilao, Mabini in the province of Batangas. Gulugod-baboy is a Filipino phrase that means "pig's spine." The mountain got its name from the contours of the peaks which resemble a pig's back as seen from Janao Bay. Mt. Gulugod Baboy Mt. Gulugod Baboy details Mt. Gulugod Baboy - Mabini, Batangas Mt. Gulugod Baboy , despite being called a mountain, may also be referred to as a hill. This is because of the fact that the distinction between a hill and a mountain remains subjective and unclear. (As you may know, the maximum height of a hill is still being contested.) I'm taking a picture of my friend Raine doing a Teletubby jump Mt. Gulugod Baboy fun moments Other Teletubby moments... So what's the big deal? Mt. Gulugod Baboy stands 525 meters above sea level. Typically, landforms reaching 500 feet (152
Keep reading

First Timer's Guide to Collecting Goshuin

Image
Japan has always been the best country when it comes to souvenirs. Each city prides itself on its own product which is perfectly suited for the different tastes of tourists. As a travel blogger whose interest is mostly culture and history, I'm naturally inclined to buy souvenirs that remind me of the rich history and culture of the places that I have visited. Oftentimes, I am left with no other option but to buy refrigerator magnets, key chains, and pins. However, during my last visit to Japan, I discovered and got a unique souvenir that I think you'd also love to take home (and bring back to Japan next time you visit). This souvenir would surely remind you of Japan's cultural, religious, and historic side... this souvenir is none other than a goshuin collection. First Timer's Guide to Collecting Goshuin A goshuin is described as a temple or shrine stamp/seal that is written by a temple priest called a kannushi in a special notebook called goshuincho which tran
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Chitose City

Image
10 Things to Do in Chitose City Chitose ( 千歳市 ) is a city in the Ishikari Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . Chitose was originally named shikot in the Ainu language, which means " big depression or hollow ," similar to Lake Shikotsu, which is a caldera lake. This sounded too much like dead bones (死骨, shikotsu ) in Japanese, so it was altered to Chitose. For those planning to visit Chitose City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Chitose : Chitose City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Chitose City . So far, I have seen one unique manhole cover which is expected in the city. There is a colored version of this installed in front of  Michinoeki Salmon Park Chitose . Chitose Roadside Station 2. Visit the  Chitose Roadside Station  /  Michinoeki Salmon Park Chitose  and buy products that are produced or made in the town. You can also get the roadside station stamp here for the Hokkaido Stamp rally booklet. This roadside statio
Keep reading

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Image
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street.  Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declining
Keep reading

Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Cavite

Image
Located in Rosario in the province of Cavite, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros is famously known as the location of the historic Tejeros Convention of 1897. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros Casa Hacienda de Tejeros history Casa Hacienda de Tejeros was originally built in the 17th century. The hacienda and its surrounding lands were formerly owned by the Augustinian Recollects. The estate was once the largest and grandest estate in the country. It once covered as much as 1,125 hectares with the casa occupying 4 hectares of it. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Rosario, Cavite The NHI Marker of the Casa Hacienda de Tejeros The name tejeros came from the Spanish name tejer , which means "to weave". It's due to the fact that the weaving industry is one of the major industries of the municipality of Rosario. Going back to its historical importance, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros played an important role in 1897 when it hosted the assembly that the new leaders of the revolution were elected.
Keep reading

Quituinan Hills - Albay

Image
Located at Barangay Tinago, Camalig in the province of Albay, Quituinan Hills is one of the most beautiful yet least known tourist destinations of the town.  Quituinan Hills Quituinan Hills Details For those who have visited Quituinan Hills on a clear day, I bet they'd agree with me when I say that this place is among the top places in the province to view Mayon Volcano. Aside from that, the best way to describe Quituinan Hills is that it has a ranch-like feel. Well, that's probably due to the fact that the developed part of the hill is really a ranch named Quituinan Ranch .  Road to Quituinan Hills Welcome to Quituinan Hills This place is a great location for picnics with friends and family. You can either rent a cottage (small P100; big P500) or bring and pitch a tent (P100 space rental) in one of the allowable areas of the hill. Other activities offered here are horseback riding (P60 per 15 minutes) and ATV rental (P200 per 15 minutes). You can also explore
Keep reading

Calaca Church - Batangas

Image
Located at the poblacion of Calaca in the province of Batangas, Calaca Church is one of the Spanish colonial era churches of the province. Calaca Church -  St. Raphael the Archangel Parish Church Calaca Church History Also known as St. Raphael the Archangel Parish Church , Calaca Church was said to be founded in 1836 which was a year after the establishment of the town of Calaca. The church was built from the collective sacrifices and efforts of the townspeople of the town. It was said that the men and women of Calaca gathered the materials needed to build the church from the town of Balayan. Using their bancas or small riverboats, they hauled the sand, stone, wood, adobe, and limestone and brought them to Calaca via the Pansipit River. Those materials would then be hauled by the locals to the site where the church would be constructed.  Calaca Church - Calaca, Batangas Calaca Church facade The Apostolic Penitentiary posted outside the church during our visit
Keep reading

Barcelona Ruins Park - Sorsogon

Image
Located on the coastal area of the town Barcelona in the province of Sorsogon, Barcelona Ruins Park refers to the park where century-old ruins of Spanish colonial-era buildings are found. Barcelona Ruins Park Barcelona Ruins Park History Speaking of the ruins of Spanish Colonial-era buildings, there are two such ruins in Barcelona Ruins Park . The school building ruins at the southeastern tip of the park and the prominent Presidencia building ruins in the northwestern tip of the park.  The ruins of the Presidencia building as seen from across the street A closer look at the Presidencia Building The ruins of the school building at the far end of Barcelona Ruins Park The Presidencia building was once the office of the governadorcillo during the colonial period. If you're wondering why the building seems massive in size, well it's because it doubled as a fortress that guards the town against the pirates and Moro raider that once frequently attacks Spanish-cont
Keep reading