Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine - Hokkaido

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine (北海道護国神社) is a historic Shinto shrine honoring the victims of the Boshin War and the Second World War. It is situated at 1 Chome 2282-2 Hanasakicho, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine details

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine was established in 1902. There are about 63 thousand deities enshrined here like Raijin and Sanatahiko Okami among others. As mentioned, Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine is also dedicated to the Hokkaido / Sakhalin war dead from the Boshin War and the Second World War. As a matter of fact, the remains of Japanese soldiers found after the war in Guadalcanal were reburied in the shrine vicinity.

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine torii

The torii stands around 25-30 feet tall

Speaking of the shrine vicinity, the grounds of Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine are almost half that of Tokiwa Park. You would see the scenic Sakhalin / Hokkaido Pond inside the shrine grounds. You would also see the Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine Dohyo and the Hokuchinanzen Shrine. 

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine
The pond and garden in front of the Sanshu-dono (参集殿)

The Sakhalin Border Stone (樺太国境標石)

The Mother Statue (母の像)

Karafuto / Hokkaido Pond (樺太・北海道池)

Ella enjoyed exploring the Karafuto / Hokkaido Pond (樺太・北海道池)

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine also has two large torii gates on the main pathway to the main hall. Speaking of the main hall, Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine's main hall is by far one of the most beautiful that I have seen so far. Its vermilion and gold color really does stand out and is pleasing to the eye. 

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine's Chozu-ya (It's covered now due to COVID restrictions)

Photos of the Main Hall of Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine





Un-gyo Komainu of Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine

A-gyo Komainu of Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine



The Backpack Adventures visits Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine

I visited Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine with my daughter last May 15, 2022, which was my 195th day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. My daughter enjoyed exploring the vast garden and pond area while I, on the other hand, had fun taking photos and videos of her and the scenic shrine. 

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine Entrance Fee

It's FREE to enter and explore Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine. 

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine Operating Hours

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine office is open 9AM-5PM daily, but the shrine grounds are open 24/7.

Why visit Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine?

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine is a place to visit if you collect goshuin or love the beautiful shrine architecture of Japan. If you're not into these things, a walk around its garden and pond might help you reduce your stress as it is considered a sanctuary to shield visitors from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Getting to Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine


From Asahikawa Station, head to Platform 3 and ride the Asahikawa Denkikido bus or Dohoku bus to the Gokokujinja Shrine bus stop. The shrine entrance is a few meters away from it. 

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Location: 1-chōme-2282-2 Hanasakichō, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 070-0901, Japan

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