Honbetsu Shrine (本別神社)
is the main shrine of the town of Honbetsu. It is located at 5-1 Asahimachi in
the town of Honbetsu, Nakagawa District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Honbetsu Shrine |
Honbetsu Shrine Details
Honbetsu Shrine, located in Honbetsu Town,
Hokkaido, is a historic Shinto shrine that has been at the heart of the
local community for over a century. Serving approximately 4,000 households,
the shrine enshrines multiple deities, including Amaterasu Omikami, Wakaukame
no Mikoto, Okuninushi no Mikoto, Sukunahikona no Mikoto, and
the three creation gods from the merged Nakamura Shrine: Amenominakanushi,
Takamimusubi, and Kamimusubi. Visitors can also collect goshuin,
making the visit both spiritual and memorable.
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| Honbetsu Shrine - Honbetsu town, Hokkaido Prefecture |
A Rich Historical Timeline
The origins of Honbetsu Shrine trace back to 1896,
when development work began in the Honbetsu area. In 1897, a shrine
pillar was erected on the mountainside northeast of the current shrine,
enshrining Amaterasu Omikami as the protector deity of the
region—marking the shrine’s founding.
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| Honbetsu Shrine's torii gate |
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| Honbetsu Shrine grounds |
By 1901, the main shrine building
was constructed, and Wakaukame no Mikoto was enshrined. A decade later,
in 1911, the shrine grounds were formally established, with Okuninushi
no Mikoto and Sukunahikona no Mikoto enshrined, followed by the
construction of the worship hall in 1912.
Honbetsu Shrine's Main Hall
On November 27, 1918, permission was granted to
establish Honbetsu as a separate Japanese shrine. In 1928, to
commemorate the enthronement of the Emperor, the current main shrine building
was erected at the foot of the mountain behind the earlier 1912 structure. By 1930,
Honbetsu Shrine had been ranked as a Gosha Shrine, and between 1931 and
the early 1940s, important features such as the main and second torii gates,
stone lanterns, mikoshi (portable shrine), and sacred implements were
donated by the local community.
Honbetsu Shrine grounds
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| Honbetsu Shrine's sumo stage |
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| Honbetsu Shrine's chozuya |
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| Honbetsu Shrine's chozubachi |
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| Honbetsu Town Memorial Monument |
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| Tokachi Oyama Shrine |
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| The shrine grounds as seen from the main hall |
Modern Developments and Celebrations
The shrine underwent several renovations and expansions in
the post-war era:
- 1954
– The shrine office was rebuilt (392 m²).
- 1957
– Afforestation efforts began as part of the 60th-anniversary project.
- 1968
– Shrine office expanded.
- 1974
– Following the closure of Nakamura Shrine, the three creation gods
were enshrined at Honbetsu Shrine.
- 1977
– Roof replaced with copper sheets for the 80th anniversary.
- 1987
– Fourth staircase rebuilt with granite for the 90th anniversary.
- 1995
– Shrine office and assembly hall rebuilt (992 m²) for the 100th
anniversary.
- 1997
– A grand 100th-anniversary festival was held.
Honbetsu Shrine's komainu pair
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| Honbetsu Shrine's komainu pair |
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| Honbetsu Shrine's ungyo |
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| Honbetsu Shrine's agyo |
The Nakamura Shrine, founded in 1900, merged with Honbetsu
Shrine in 1973, enshrining Amenominakanushi, Takamimusubi, and
Kamimusubi, further enriching the shrine’s spiritual significance.
Honbetsu Shrine at Present
Today, Honbetsu Shrine offers visitors a peaceful
setting to explore Hokkaido’s spiritual and cultural heritage. The beautifully
maintained grounds, historic architecture, and century-long traditions
make it a must-visit for travelers, history enthusiasts, and those seeking
spiritual reflection. Don’t forget to collect a goshuin as a meaningful
keepsake of your visit.
Team Nicerio visits Honbetsu Shrine
My family and I visited Honbetsu 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
to pay our respects and offer prayers.
Honbetsu Shrine’s Admission Fee
It’s FREE to enter and explore Honbetsu Shrine grounds.
However, please bring cash if you want to avail of its goshuin.
Honbetsu Shrine’s Operating Hours
Honbetsu Shrine grounds are open 24/7. The shrine office is
open from 9AM to 5 PM.
Why visit Honbetsu Shrine?
With a history spanning over a century, the shrine offers
beautifully maintained grounds, traditional Shinto architecture, and a
peaceful atmosphere perfect for reflection. Visitors can admire the main
shrine, torii gates, stone lanterns, and sacred implements, all of which
reflect the deep-rooted traditions of the local community.
The shrine also provides goshuin (shrine stamps),
allowing visitors to take home a unique cultural keepsake.
Getting to Honbetsu Shrine
From Obihiro Station, proceed to Platform 7 of the Obihiro Eki Bus Terminal and take Bus #17 (Obihiro–Rikubetsu Line) operated by Tokachi Bus.
Get off at the Honbetsu Kita 2-chome bus stop, then walk about 500 meters to reach Honbetsu Shrine.
Travel time: 1 hour and 49 minutes
Fare: 1,350 yen
Ratings
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.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Honbetsu Shrine")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Honbetsu Shrine")
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