Makkari Shrine (真狩神社) is the main shrine of the village of Makkari. It is located at 79 Yashiro in the village of Makkari in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
 |
| Makkari Shrine |
Makkari Shrine Details
Makkari Shrine offers a glimpse into the village’s spiritual roots and cultural heritage. Founded in 1896, the shrine has evolved from a small temporary structure into a revered site, playing an important role in the community's traditions and ceremonies.
 |
| Makkari Shrine - Makkari village, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Makkari Shrine’s history dates back to 1896 when early immigrants to the area gathered to establish a shrine to enshrine Hachiman, the guardian deity of their hometown. Initially, small shrines were built by these settlers in various locations around the village. However, Makkari Village’s Mayor at the time, Abe Yusada, raised concerns about the legality of these scattered shrines. He argued that such practices violated divine authority and that all the local shrines should be combined into one central shrine. After discussions among the villagers, they agreed to build a unified shrine that would serve as the main guardian deity for the entire village.
 |
| 真狩神社 |
 |
| Makkari Shrine's main torii gate |
 |
| Mt. Yotei as seen from Makkari Shrine's Main Torii Gate |
 |
| Makkari Shrine's inner torii gate |
After receiving permission on September 12, 1906, the shrine was officially established as an unranked shrine, and its construction began. By November 1909, the shrine building was completed. Over the years, it continued to evolve: in 1918, the shrine underwent renovations, including the addition of a new office. In 1919, Makkari Shrine was designated as a village shrine, and by 1920, it was recognized as a shrine that offers sacred offerings. The shrine was officially recognized as a religious corporation in 1946, and further renovations to the building and office occurred in 1955 and 1969, respectively.
Makkari Shrine's Main Hall
Makkari Shrine is not only a place of worship but also a center of local cultural traditions. One of the most important cultural assets associated with the shrine is "Kagura Urayasu Mai", a traditional performing arts dance that was designated as a local cultural asset in 1974. The dance is currently preserved and performed by students from Makkari Agricultural High School, keeping the village's cultural heritage alive for future generations.
 |
| Makkari Shrine chozuya |
 |
| Makkari Shrine Loyalty Monument |
In addition to the Kagura Urayasu Mai, the Akasaka Natsu Procession is another significant ritual associated with the shrine. Established in September 1959 under the guidance of Katsumi Watanabe, a police officer at the Makkari Substation, the procession has been preserved by the Makkari Village Youth Council. This vibrant event is a testament to the village’s ongoing connection to its spiritual and cultural roots.
Makkari Shrine's Komainu
 |
| Makkari Shrine's komainu |
 |
| Makkari Shrine's un-gyo |
 |
| Makkari Shrine's a-gyo |
Today, Makkari Shrine houses the following deities; Hondawake no Mikoto, Onamuchi no Mikoto, Sukunahikona no Mikoto, Oyamatsumi no Mikoto, Uga no Mitama no Mikoto, and Sugawara no Michizane. It also currently serves 730 households.
Team Nicerio visits Makkari Shrine
On April 1, 2023, my family and I visited Makkari Shrine for the first time during our 3-Day 2023 Birthday Road Trip. It marked my 516th day in Japan as an ALT with the JET Programme. As part of our #Hokkaido179 travel goals and our family’s travel tradition, we made sure to include the shrine in our itinerary while in the village. During our visit, we paid our respects and offered prayers to the village's deity. Before leaving, we followed our customary tradition of making three wishes, a ritual we always perform when visiting a sacred place for the first time.
Makkari Shrine Admission Fee
It’s FREE to enter and explore Makkari Shrine grounds. However, make sure to bring cash if you plan to avail of the shrine’s unique goshuin stamp.
Makkari Shrine Operating Hours
Makkari Shrine grounds are open 24/7 but the shrine office is open from 9 AM to 4 PM. Plan your trip accordingly if you want to avail yourself of its goshuin stamp as you can get it at Rusutsu Shrine.
Why visit Makkari Shrine?
Today, Makkari Shrine stands as a tranquil and sacred space, offering visitors not only a chance to connect with the divine but also an opportunity to experience the village’s rich cultural history. Whether you are interested in the shrine's fascinating history, its role in local traditions, or its stunning natural surroundings, Makkari Shrine is a must-visit destination for those exploring the spiritual and cultural heart of Makkari Village. Heads up, Makkari Shrine's goshuin can be availed at Rusutsu Shrine.
Getting to Makkari Shrine
There are several ways to reach Makkari Roadside Station, but this is the route I’m familiar with:
From Sapporo Station, walk to the Sapporo Ekimae bus stop and take the JR Hokkaido Bus on the Sapporo - Otaru route via Maruyama. Get off at the Otaru Eki Mae Bus Terminal.
From there, walk to Otaru Station and board the Local Kutchan train on the Hokkaido Line, operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company. Alight at Kutchan Station.
Next, walk to the nearby Kutchan Eki Mae bus stop and take the Rusutsu Kutchan Line bus bound for Rusutsu Resort, operated by the Donan Bus Company. Get off at the Kamiyashiro (かみやしろ) bus stop.
From the bus stop, Makkari Shrine is an 800-meter walk away.
Travel time: 3 hours and 40 minutes
Fare: 2,560 yen
Ratings
 |
| Crowd |
 |
| Cleanliness |
 |
| Overall rating |
Comments
Post a Comment