The Backpack Adventures

Hokumon Shrine ( 北門神社 )   is the northernmost manned shrine in  Japan . It is l ocated at 1 Chome 1-21 Central, Wakkanai City in Hokkaido Prefecture,   Japan . Hokumon Shrine Hokumon Shrine details ( WINTER ) Hokumon Shrine was established in 1785 (Tenmei 5) by Denbei Murayama who was a contractor of the Matsumae domain that was stationed in Soya.  He built a small shrine and enshrined the deity Amaterasu Omikam i there as the guardian deity of the north gate and named this shrine Soya Ojingu .  Hokumon Shrine - Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture In 1897, the shrine was relocated to its current location. The deities Takemikazuchi and Kotoshironushi were also enshrined there.  The path going up to Hokumon Shrine The second torii of Hokumon Shrine . The first one is located along Soya Sunset Road Hokumon Shrine un-gyō komainu Hokumon Shrine a-gyō komainu One of the mini-shrines inside the Hokumon Shrine grounds Google translates this to Loyalty Soul Monument Another mini-shrine on

Shingonji ( 真言寺 ) is temple #27 on the Hokkaido 33 Kannon Pilgrimage , located at 5-11-21 Central, Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture. Shingonji  ( 真言寺 ) Shingonji details ( WINTER ) Shingonji was established in Taisho 7 (1918). It was formerly the Wakkanai branch of the Daishikyo Church under Toyama Kaisou Ito Satoshi . Shingonji - Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture It was bought by Eio Koni in 1954 and was renamed Shingonji , making it the northernmost Daishi Shingonji. It is also said that this temple was where the name Wakkanai was born. Presently, Nyoirin Kanzeon Bosatsu is enshrined in the temple.  Welcome to Shingonji Shingonji is temple #27 of the Hokkaido 33 Kannon Pilgrimage I got to visit Shingonji for the first time last March 21, 2022 . It was my 140th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme . It was winter season when I visited so naturally the hill behind the temple was covered with snow. This made the vermilion color of the temple stand out adding beauty t

Wakkanai Fukuko Market  ( 稚内副港市場)  is a place in Wakkanai City that specializes in newly caught and preserved seafood.  It is l ocated at 1-6-28 Minato, Wakkanai City in Hokkaido Prefecture,   Japan . Wakkanai Fukuko Market Wakkanai Fukuko Market details Wakkanai Fukuko Market opened to the public in 2007. It became popular for its wide variety of seafood products. Locals and tourists would usually come here to buy omiyage or souvenirs whenever they would go travel back home or visit friends in other prefectures.  Wakkanai Fukuko Market - Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture Aside from seafood products, Wakkanai Fukuko Market doubles as a tourist destination as it houses the Wakkanai Karafuto Museum on its second floor and a nostalgic Showa-era shopping street reproduction on the ground floor of its exhibit area.  The Wakkanai Fukuko Market is connected to the  Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall This is the main entrance to the Wakkanai Fukuko Market At the far end of the market are