Numata Shrine - Hokkaido

Numata Shrine (沼田神社) is the main shrine of the town of Numata. It is located at 5 Chome-1 Kita 1 Jo in the town of Numata in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Numata Shrine

Numata Shrine details

Numata Shrine has a rich history dating back to when its founder, Mr. Kisaburo Numata, recruited 18 immigrants from his hometown in Toyama Prefecture and enshrined the branch spirits of Ise Jingu in a bamboo mushroom hut in the Tappu wilderness in 1892.

Numata Shrine - Numata Town, Hokkaido Prefecture

After the reclamation business progressed, Kaiken Commission Co., Ltd., where the shrine was originally located, moved to Numata Takadai in 1903. At the same time, a new shrine was built and became Toryu Shrine. The shrine was later moved to the Numata city area in 1908 and promoted to village shrine in 1945 before eventually becoming Numata Shrine in 1932.

沼田神社

Numata Shrine's main torii gate

The secondary and tertiary torii gates as seen from the main torii gate

Numata Shrine's chozuya

Now, the shrine stands in its current location since 1932 and has a beautiful design of the Shinmei-zukuri architectural style. The shrine’s total area covers 38 tsubos and serves 1,300 households in the area.

Numata Shrine Main Hall

Numata Shrine enshrines four deities: Ebisu Shrine Amaterasu Omikami, Hachiman Omikami, Okuninushi Omikami, and Sukunahikona Omikami. Every year, the shrine celebrates its annual holiday on September 10th.

Numata Shrine komainu

Numata Shrine a-gyo komainu

Numata Shrine un-gyo komainu

Monuments in Numata Shrine Grounds

Over the years, the shrine has undergone various changes and renovations, including the construction of Kaitakusha Sayaden as the 100-year project to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the shrine in 1994. In 2014, the shrine celebrated the 120th anniversary of its founding. The shrine also holds events such as planting 65 cherry tree seedlings in 2004 and 80 Japanese pine seedlings during the first year of the Reiwa era.

Team Nicerio visits Numata Shrine

My family and I visited Numata Shrine for the first time last September 10, 2022, as part of our September 9-11 Road Trip. It was my 313th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. I included the shrine as part of our “travel tradition, " meaning that my daughter and I visited it to pay respects, offer prayers, and make a wish.

Numata Shrine Fees

It’s FREE to enter and explore the grounds of Numata Shrine. There is also a small parking area where visitors can park for FREE.

Numata Shrine Operating Hours:

Numata Shrine is open from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Why visit Numata Shrine?

There is not much to do in Numata Shrine but if you are collecting goshuin and planning to visit all the main shrines of each municipality of Hokkaido Prefecture, you should not miss Numata Shrine.

Getting to Numata Shrine

 

From Asahikawa Station, board the Hakodate Line (Local Ishikari-Numata) and board down at Ishikari-Numata Station. From there, walk for about 400 meters to reach Numata Shrine. 

Travel time: 52 minutes

Fare:1130 yen

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