Makubetsu Shrine - Hokkaido

Makubetsu Shrine (幕別神社) is the main shrine of the town of Makubetsu. It is located at 148 Motomachi, Makubetsu, Nakagawa District, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Makubetsu Shrine

Makubetsu Shrine Details

Autumn

Makubetsu Shrine stands as a cherished spiritual landmark that has witnessed more than a century of local history and devotion. Established in 1900, the shrine began as a small structure known as Hachiman-sama, built by pioneering families who had settled in the old Takeyama area.

Makubetsu Shrine - Makubetsu town, Hokkaido Prefecture

Growth Alongside Towaka Town

When the Nemuro Main Line opened in 1905, the town of Towaka flourished around the new station, prompting the relocation of the small shrine to serve the growing community. After several moves and developments, the shrine found its permanent home in 1907, with a formal shrine building completed in 1915. It was officially recognized by the Minister of Home Affairs in 1941 as Towaka Shrine—later renamed Makubetsu Shrine.

Makubetsu Shrine's torii gate

幕別神社

Spiritual Enrichment from Kyushu and Izumo

In 1942, two devoted volunteers brought sacred branches from Usa Hachiman Shrine in Kyushu and Izumo Taisha Shrine, further enriching Makubetsu Shrine’s spiritual heritage. The shrine later joined the Association of Shinto Shrines in 1951, briefly became independent, and rejoined the association in 1997, where it remains to this day.

Makubetsu Shrine Main Hall

Makubetsu Shrine Grounds

Makubetsu Shrine's chozuya

Makubetsu Shrine's chozubachi

Inari Shrine (稲荷神社)

Monument to the Names of the War Dead (L) and Monument of Loyal Spirits (R)

忠魂碑

Deities and Community Role

Today, Makubetsu Shrine enshrines Hondawake no Mikoto and Onamuchi no Mikoto, deities revered for their blessings of strength, harmony, and good fortune. Although it remains an unranked shrine, it continues to serve approximately 1,000 local households, preserving its role as a symbol of unity, faith, and tradition in the community.

Makubetsu Shrine's komainu pair

Makubetsu Shrine's komainu pair

Makubetsu Shrine's agyo

Makubetsu Shrine's ungyo

Team Nicerio visits Makubetsu Shrine

My family and I visited Makubetsu 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 Makubetsu Shrine was a must-see. It was our first shrine stop of the day, where we respectfully paid our respects and offered prayers, immersing ourselves in the local culture and spiritual atmosphere.

Makubetsu Shrine grounds in August

We visited in autumn, which allowed us to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage throughout the grounds of Makubetsu Shrine.

Makubetsu Shrine Admission Fee

It’s FREE to enter and explore Makubetsu Shrine grounds.

Makubetsu Shrine Operating Hours

The Makubetsu Shrine grounds are open 24/7, allowing visitors to explore freely at any time. However, since the passing of the shrine’s priest, there is currently no one staffing the shrine office, so official operating hours are unclear at this time.

Why visit Makubetsu Shrine?

Makubetsu Shrine offers visitors a unique glimpse into Hokkaido’s local history and spiritual heritage. Founded over a century ago, the shrine has been a central place of worship and community gathering, reflecting the traditions and growth of Makubetsu town. Visitors can admire the serene shrine grounds, experience Shinto rituals, and pay respects to the deities Hondawake no Mikoto and Onamuchi no Mikoto, who are revered for blessings of harmony, strength, and good fortune.

Getting to Makubetsu Shrine

Makubetsu Shrine is around 400 meters away from Makubetsu Station.

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