Horonobe Shrine - Hokkaido

Horonobe Shrine (幌延神社) is Horonobe's main shrine. It celebrates its holiday every July 15th. The shrine is located at 104 Horonobe in Horonobe, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Horonobe Shrine

Horonobe Shrine details

Totaro Kimura, accompanied by volunteers, visited the Ise Jingu Shrine in April 1903 and petitioned the Daiguji to receive the spirit of Amaterasu Omikami so that a shrine can be built in Horonobe. A few months after the establishment of Horonobe Shrine, the spirits of Kagatsuchi no Kami and Ukemochi no Kami were also enshrined in it.

Horonobe Shrine (幌延神社)

When the elementary school was relocated in 1916, the shrine was also moved to where the current water treatment plant is located. A main hall was constructed along with a long and steep pathway which was said to be inconvenient for your and old parishioners. Mother Nature helped intervene as the main hall collapsed due to the heavy snowfall in February 1927.

Horonobe Shrine main torii

幌延神社

Horonobe Shrine chozuya

In a way, it encouraged the parishioners to hold a public meeting about relocating the shrine. In the end, they voted to transfer the shrine in March 1929. After the decision to relocate the shrine to its current location, work on building the main hall and worship hall quickly started. Construction finished in September 1929. Horonobe Shrine was built using the Shinmei-zukuri architectural design.

Horonobe Shrine Komainu

Horonobe Shrine a-gyo

Horonobe Shrine un-gyo

Horonobe Shrine komainu

In 1935, the status of Horonobe Shrine became a Mukakusha, or unranked shrine. It was set to be elevated to a village shrine in 1944 but with the ongoing war and shifting priorities, it didn’t push through.

Horonobe Shrine Main Hall



At present, Horonobe Shrine has a total shrine area of 56 meters square. It currently serves 700 households.

Team Nicerio visits Horonobe Shrine


My family and I visited Horonobe Shrine for the first time last August 13, 2022, which was my 41st weekend here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. It was one of the destinations that we visited on the 2nd day of our 5-day Drive Up North Road Trip During our visit, my daughter and I paid our respects and offered prayers which is what we always do whenever we visit a shrine for the first time.

Horonobe Shrine Entrance Fee

It’s FREE to enter and explore the Horonobe Shrine grounds.

Horonobe Shrine Operating Hours

The shrine services are available from 9 AM to 5 PM. However, the shrine grounds are open 24/7.

Why visit Horonobe Shrine?

Horonobe Shrine is the main shrine of the town of Horonobe. It is where most locals go to offer prayers for safety and health. You are welcome to pay respects and offer your intentions.

Getting to Horonobe Shrine

 

Board the JR Soya Main Line going to Wakkanai Station and then board down at Horonobe Station. From there, walk for about 10 minutes to reach the shrine.

If you’re coming from Rumoi City, ride the Engan Bus going to Toyotomi Station. Board down at Horonobe Station bus stop. You can check out the timetable and fare matrix from the Engan Bus website by clicking this LINK.

Travel time: 3 hours and 40 minutes

Rating:

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall Rating


Comments

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

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park - Cavite

Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Cavite

10 Things to Do in Otaru City

Jose Rizal Shrine in Calamba - Laguna

10 More Things to Do in Asahikawa City

Japan Diaries 4: Day 387

First Filipino Family to Visit All 179 Municipalities of Hokkaido: A Memorable Adventure

Japan Diaries 4: Week 56

Iwao Onsen Attamaru - Hokkaido