Biei Shrine (美瑛神社) is the main shrine of the town of Biei. It is located at 4 Chome-1-1 Higashimachi in the town of Biei, Kamikawa District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Biei Shrine |
Biei Shrine details
Winter
Biei Shrine is a place steeped in history and cultural significance. Originally established over a century ago, the shrine offers visitors a glimpse into the region’s past, along with stunning views and tranquil surroundings. Here's a closer look at its fascinating history and the journey that led to its current location.
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| Biei Shrine - Biei town, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Biei Shrine's story begins in April of 1896 when 27 households from the Kumano group in Wakayama settled in the area that would later become the town of Biei. Just a year later, in 1897, Shiro Kinoshita, a local resident who had returned to his hometown to bring his parents back, received a sacred spirit from the Kumano Sitsugami Shrine in Wakayama. This divine energy, associated with the deity "Ietsu-no-Mikoto," was enshrined at Biei, marking the birth of the Biei Shrine. A small temporary shrine was erected at the base of a large oak tree on the land.
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| The Nachi Biei Fire Festival is held here every July 24 |
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| Biei Shrine's main Torii gate |
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| 美瑛神社 |
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| Biei Shrine's inner Torii gate |
In the following years, the shrine moved several times. Initially, it was relocated to the "Maruyama Hilltop / Ikigamori" area in the town. Then, in 1907, during the Meiji period, a new shrine building was constructed in the old Nishimachi area, where it was renamed "Biei Shrine" after the village itself.
Biei Shrine's Main Hall
The shrine continued to grow in significance over the decades. In 1916, it received official recognition and permission to be established as a shrine. Just a decade later, in 1926, it was officially designated as a shrine that was eligible to receive offerings of sacred food and ceremonial gifts.
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| Monument to the late Gitaro Tanaka |
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| Biei Shrine's chozuya |
Biei Shrine's importance continued to rise, and in 1930, it was officially elevated to the status of a "village shrine." In 1953, it became a religious corporation, marking another milestone in its development. In the following decades, several significant renovations and additions took place.
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| Prayer boards or ema displayed in Biei Shrine |
In 1968, a new shrine building was constructed, and in 1980, a new office building for the shrine was completed, along with a new torii gate. These upgrades helped accommodate the increasing number of visitors and ensured that the shrine's historical significance was preserved for future generations. A pivotal moment in Biei Shrine’s history came in 1995 when the shrine was relocated from its original location in Nishimachi 1-chome to its current site in Higashimachi 4-chome. The move, accompanied by a "Transference Ceremony," allowed the shrine to expand and improve its facilities, including the construction of new buildings and areas for worshippers.
Biei Shrine's komainu
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| Biei Shrine's komainu |
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| Biei Shrine's ungyo |
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| Biei Shrine's agyo |
In 1996, to celebrate its 100th anniversary, Biei Shrine launched a commemorative campaign. A special "Centennial Celebration Festival" was held in the autumn of 1997, drawing visitors from near and far. Several projects were completed as part of the celebrations, including the addition of a new corridor, a mikoshi hall, a stage for performances, a new shrine name plaque, and even a second torii gate. A commemorative monument was also erected to mark the milestone.
Today, Biei Shrine stands as a serene and sacred site, welcoming visitors from all walks of life. Its beautiful grounds, which include lush trees, traditional architecture, and tranquil walking paths, offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It houses the deities Amaterasu Omikami, Izanagi no Kami, Izanami no Kami, Ketsumiko no Kami, and Okuninushi no Kami. It also currently serves more than 4,200 households.
Team Nicerio visits Biei Shrine
My family and I visited Biei Shrine for the first time last March 21, 2023, during our Vernal Equinox Road Trip. It was my 505th day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. During our visit, we did our family tradition of paying respects, offering prayers, and making a wish. What I like about the shrine is that it is easily accessible as it is located along Route 966. It also offers free parking, so it was very convenient to visit it.
Biei Shrine Admission Fee
It’s FREE to enter and explore the grounds of Biei Shrine. However, if you plan to take advantage of the goshuin or omamori, you should bring cash with you.
Biei Shrine Operating Hours
Biei Shrine grounds are open 24/7. However, the shrine office is only open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Why visit Biei Shrine?
As you walk through the grounds of this century-old shrine, you can reflect on its rich history, which mirrors the growth and transformation of the town itself. The shrine’s long-standing presence in Biei is a testament to the enduring connection between the people and their cultural heritage.
Getting to Biei Shrine
From Sapporo City
To reach Biei Shrine from Sapporo Station, follow these steps:
Take a JR Train to Asahikawa Station
- Start by boarding a JR limited express train from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station. This journey takes about 1.5 hours.
Transfer to the JR Furano Line at Asahikawa Station
- At Asahikawa Station, transfer to the JR Furano Line and take a local train bound for Biei Station, which is about a 30-minute ride.
Arrive at Biei Station and Travel to Biei Shrine
- From Biei Station, Biei Shrine is a short distance away, so you can reach it by taxi in about 5 minutes or enjoy a 15–20 minute walk.
With this route, you’ll be able to reach Biei Shrine easily and enjoy its peaceful, scenic surroundings in Biei.
From Asahikawa City
To get to Biei Shrine from Asahikawa City, follow these steps:
Take the JR Furano Line from Asahikawa Station
- From Asahikawa Station, board a local JR Furano Line train heading to Biei Station. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
Arrive at Biei Station and Travel to Biei Shrine
- Once you arrive at Biei Station, you can either take a taxi to Biei Shrine, which takes about 5 minutes or walk there, which takes around 15–20 minutes.
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