Ashoro Shrine (足寄神社)
is the main shrine of the town of Ashoro. It is located at 12-2 Satomigaoka in
the town of Ashoro, Ashoro District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Ashoro Shrine |
Ashoro Shrine Details
Ashoro Shrine stands as a timeless symbol of faith, history,
and community. With origins dating back to 1902, the shrine has long
served as the guardian of the Ashoro-Ota region and remains a spiritual center
for locals and visitors alike.
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| Ashoro Shrine - Ashoro town, Hokkaido Prefecture |
A Brief History of Ashoro Shrine
The story of Ashoro Shrine began in 1902 when a
shrine pillar was first erected to protect the Ashoro-Ota region. A few years
later, in 1909, a worship hall was constructed, followed by the main
shrine building in 1931, along with improvements to the surrounding
grounds.
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| 足寄神社 |
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| Ashoro Shrine's torii gate |
Official permission for the shrine’s establishment was
granted on February 19, 1935, and it received village shrine status on September
10, 1941. Later that year, on December 3, 1941, Ashoro Shrine was
designated as a site for offering sacred food and offerings.
Ashoro Shrine's Main Hall
Following the merger of towns and villages in 1955,
Ashoro Shrine was officially recognized as a unified religious institution.
That same year, Homudawake no Mikoto was enshrined as the main deity.
The shrine underwent major reconstruction, which was completed on October
16, 1980, and in 1992, a special ceremony was held to celebrate its 90th
anniversary.
Ashoro Shrine grounds
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| Ashoro Shrine's chozuya |
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| Ashoro Shrine's chozubachi |
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| Monument for the 60th anniversary of the shrine |
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| The inner torii gate as seen from the bottom step of the shrine |
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| The main torii gate as seen from the top step of the shrine |
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| Ashoro Shrine's inner torii gate |
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| Kimigayo |
Deities Enshrined
Today, Ashoro Shrine enshrines five revered deities:
- Amaterasu
Omikami – the sun goddess and central figure of the Shinto faith
- Okunitama
no Kami – the deity of land and nation
- Onamuchi
no Kami – a god of creation and medicine
- Sukunahikona
no Kami – the deity of healing and wisdom
- Hondawake
no Mikoto – associated with leadership and
protection
Ashoro Shrine komainu pairs
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| Ashoro Shrine komainu pair 1 |
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| Ashoro Shrine komainu pair 2 |
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| Ashoro Shrine komainu pair 3 |
These deities continue to bless and guide the approximately 3,700
households that the shrine serves today.
A Place of Peace and Tradition
Surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature, Ashoro Shrine
offers visitors a serene atmosphere ideal for prayer, reflection, and cultural
appreciation. The traditional wooden architecture and well-maintained grounds
reflect the enduring spirit of the Ashoro community.
Team Nicerio visits Ashoro Shrine
My family and I visited Ashoro Shrine for the first
time on November 5, 2023, the third day of our three-day Culture Day
Road Trip. This visit also marked my 734th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. As part of our Hokkaido 179 travel goal, we make it a
point to visit a main shrine in each municipality we explore for the first
time, so Ashoro Shrine was a must-see. During our visit, we made sure to do our
family tradition of offering prayers and making a wish. I’m happy to share that
one of those wishes was already granted. What is that if you’d ask? To be
renewed as an ALT under the JET Programme until my 5th year.
Ashoro Shrine Admission Fee
It’s FREE to enter and explore Ashoro Shrine grounds.
However, if you plan to avail yourself of its goshuin for your collection, please bring
cash.
Ashoro Shrine Operating Hours
Ashoro Shrine grounds are open 24/7. However, the shrine
office is open only from 9AM to 5 PM.
Why Visit Ashoro Shrine?
Ashoro Shrine is not only a place of worship but also a
living monument to the town’s rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the
sacred grounds, enjoy the peaceful scenery, and learn about local traditions
that have shaped the Tokachi region for more than a century. It is an ideal
destination for travelers seeking both spiritual connection and a deeper
understanding of rural Hokkaido’s history.
Getting to Ashoro Shrine
From Obihiro Station, head out and go to Platform 7 of the Obihiro Eki Bus Terminal. Once there, board Bus #17 Obihiro Rikubetsu Line operated by Tokachi Bus Company.
Board down at Ashoro Nokyo Mae bus stop. Once there, walk for about 1 kilometer to reach the shrine.
Travel time: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Fare: 1,730 yen
Ratings
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| Crowd |
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| Cleanliness |
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| Cleanliness |
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