Obihiro Shrine - Hokkaido

Obihiro Shrine (帯廣神社) is the main shrine of Obihiro City. It is located at 1-1 Higashi 3-jo Minami 2-chome, Obihiro City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Obihiro Shrine

Obihiro Shrine Details

Obihiro Shrine is one of the most important cultural and spiritual landmarks in Tokachi, Hokkaido. With a history that began in the late 19th century, the shrine continues to be a place of worship, tradition, and celebration for both locals and visitors.

Obihiro Shrine - Obihiro City, Hokkaido Prefecture

History of Obihiro Shrine

The story of Obihiro Shrine started in 1883 when Yoda Benzo from Matsuzaki in Shizuoka Prefecture, together with the Bansei-sha group, settled in the area known as Oberiberi, which later became Obihiro. In 1885, the community held its first Tenno Festival, which marked the beginning of what would eventually become Obihiro Shrine.

Obihiro Shrine's torii gate

Obihiro Shrine's info board

帯廣神社

In 1909, a proposal was made to build a permanent shrine. After discussions within the community, it was decided that the shrine would be built at its present location. A temporary shrine was constructed in 1910, and on September 24 of the same year, a sacred spirit was transferred from Sapporo Shrine, now known as Hokkaido Shrine. Since then, September 24 has been celebrated annually as the shrine’s festival day.

Obihiro Shrine's Main Hall

Recognition of the shrine grew over time. It was designated a non-ranking shrine in 1911, promoted to a local shrine in 1918, and elevated to a prefectural shrine in 1930. In 1936, during an imperial visit, offerings were made at the shrine. Later milestones include the 50th anniversary celebration in 1960 and its designation as a special shrine in 1976. 

Obihiro Shrine's chozuya

Obihiro Shrine's chozubachi

In 1977, the Obihiro Shrine Construction Support Association was created to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the shrine. New shrine buildings were completed in 1979, followed by the renovation of the shrine office in 1980. These developments ensured that the shrine remained a central spiritual and cultural site for the region.

Obihiro Shrine Grounds

Obihiro Shrine's inner gate

Obihiro Shrine's sacred tree

The Shichigosan Taiko Drum of Obihiro Shrine

Obihiro Shrine's ema

One of the wishes in the ema caught my eye...

Loyalty Monument

Kitchen Knife Mound

Monument commemorating the promotion of a local shrine

A gazebo inside the shrine grounds

Obihiro Shrine's Green Pond

Deities Enshrined

Obihiro Shrine is dedicated to three deities:

• Okunitama-no-kami – deity of national land and prosperity
• Onamuchi-no-kami – deity of nation-building and medicine
• Sukunahiko-no-kami – deity of healing, medicine, and knowledge

These deities symbolize protection, good health, and growth for the community.

Obihiro Shrine Today

At present, Obihiro Shrine serves as a spiritual home for around 51,000 households in the Tokachi region. The shrine grounds provide a peaceful atmosphere where visitors can enjoy seasonal beauty, participate in traditional rituals, and take part in the vibrant annual festival.

Obihiro Shrine's komainu pair

Obihiro Shrine's komainu pair

Obihiro Shrine's un-gyo

Obihiro Shrine's a-gyo

The highlight of the year is the annual festival every September 24, which draws locals and tourists to witness cultural performances, sacred ceremonies, and lively celebrations that showcase the enduring traditions of Obihiro.

Team Nicerio visits Obihiro Shrine

My family and I visited Obihiro Shrine for the first time on November 3, 2023, the opening day of our three-day Culture Day Road Trip. This marked my 732nd day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. As part of our Hokkaido 179 travel goal, we made it a point to visit the main shrine of every municipality we explored for the first time. During our visit, we offered prayers and paid our respects, taking a moment to connect with the local culture and spiritual traditions.

Obihiro Shrine Admission Fee

It’s FREE to enter and explore Obihiro Shrine grounds. However, it is highly recommended that you bring cash if you want to avail of the shrine’s goshuin.

Obihiro Shrine’s Operating Hours

Obihiro Shrine grounds are open 24/7. However, the shrine office is open from 9 AM to 5PM.

Why visit Obihiro Shrine?

A visit to Obihiro Shrine offers more than just a cultural experience. It is a chance to explore the deep history of Tokachi, discover traditional Japanese spirituality, and enjoy moments of reflection in a serene setting. Whether you visit to pray for good fortune, to attend the festival, or to simply appreciate the peaceful surroundings, Obihiro Shrine remains an essential destination for anyone exploring Obihiro.

Getting to Obihiro Shrine

 

There are several ways to reach Obihiro Shrine from Obihiro Station. These are what I'm familiar with:

Option 1: From Obihiro Station, proceed to the Ekikita 11-chome bus stop. Take Bus #11 (Obihiro–Rikubetsu Line) bound for Makubetsu, Ikeda, or Rikubetsu via Honbetsu and Ashoro operated by the Tokachi Bus Company. Alight at the Higashi 4-jo 6-chome bus stop, then walk approximately 450 meters to reach Obihiro Shrine.

Travel time: 15 minutes

Fare: 220 yen

Option 2: From Obihiro Station, proceed to the Ekikita 11-chome bus stop. Board Bus #41 (Otofuke Line) bound for Otofuke or Sakuragaoka via Kino Agricultural Cooperative, Yanagimachi Housing Complex, and Otofuke Town Hall, operated by the Tokachi Bus Company. Alight at the Nishi 2-jo 1-chome bus stop, then walk approximately 700 meters to reach Obihiro Shrine.

Travel time: 18 minutes

Fare:  180 yen

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