Yachigashira Station is one of the terminus of the Hakodate City Tram. If you walk up the gentle slope of the main approach to Mount Hakodate from nearby Yachigashira Station, you will see a large torii gate and stone steps. At the end of the stone steps is Hakodate Hachiman Shrine, affectionately called "Hachiman-sama" by the locals.

Hakodate Hachiman Shrine is a historic shrine that was once classified as a Kokuhei-chusha (a medium-ranked Kokuheisha shrine that was enshrined by local officials when shrines were under national control) and is the only Beppyo shrine in Hakodate City (a shrine that is considered special due to its history or role among the shrines listed by the Association of Shinto Shrines). As the guardian deity of Hakodate, it watches over the city and its citizens from the foot of Mt. Hakodate.

Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine, located near a famous tourist spot

The former "Hakodate Hachiman Shrine" was located in what is now Motomachi. Remnants of the shrine can be seen among the famous tourist spots.

For example, Motoi-zaka and Motomachi Park. This area was home to the large Usukeshidate mansion, which was the inspiration for the construction of Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine. This mansion was box-shaped (rectangular), and is the origin of Hakodate's original name, Hakodate. The beginning of Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine was when Hondawake-no-mikoto (Emperor Ojin), also known as Yahata-no-kami, was enshrined in the southeast corner of this mansion as the god who would protect the buildings and land.

And let's not forget Hachimanzaka. This is a popular photo spot for tourists in Hakodate, but the name actually comes from "Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine." When "Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine" was built near the top of the hill, the slope in front of it became the main approach, and it came to be called Hachimanzaka.

The secret behind the beautiful shrine that creates a solemn atmosphere

After that, Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine was moved to its current location, which was expected to become bustling with more people coming and going in the future. It is located at the foot of Mount Hakodate, and it looks as if the shrine building is surrounded by the trees of the mountain. When they considered moving it to this location, did they already have such a large, flat piece of land?

When we spoke to Honma Hideki, the deputy chief priest of Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine and in charge of general affairs, he told us, "When the shrine was moved to its current location, many people worked hard to clear the foot of Mount Hakodate and create flat land." Of course, there were no heavy machinery in those days, so everything was done by hand. It was reportedly very hard work.

The current shrine building was completed in 1915 (Taisho 4) in a style known as the Shotei Hatto-zukuri style, and was designed by Ando Tokizo, who also designed Meiji Shrine and other buildings.

The rafter decorations, which are arranged in a neat line when viewed from the front, and the distinctive joinery design are unique in Japan. "Experts said that the tulips express the Hakodate character, which is a city that is a mix of Western culture," Homma told us. The combination of this intricate design and the lush green Mount Hakodate in the background creates a majestic atmosphere.

Search for colors scattered throughout the temple grounds

Hakodate Hachiman Shrine is a historic and solemn shrine, but it also has many photogenic spots.

One of these is the umbrella fortune slips that are lined up in a row in the middle of the temple grounds. They are colorful fortune slips in the shape of a Japanese umbrella, and they have a playful touch to them, with daikichi meaning fine weather and yoshi meaning cloudy.

In addition, there are many trees planted that bloom in the spring, such as camellias, cherry blossoms, and azaleas, as well as hydrangeas, ginkgo trees, and maples, so it is recommended to spend a relaxing and healing time looking at them. Many people come to worship during the flower water basin season, which is held several times a year.

Capture your memories of your visit in a goshuin stamp

Speaking of shrines, there's the goshuin stamp. At this shrine office, you can get two goshuin stamps, one for Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine and one for its subordinate shrine, Tsuruwaka Inari Shrine. They are not written in advance, but are hand-written one by one upon request. As the symbol of Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine is a dove, some writers will make the number eight into a dove shape. Tsuruwaka Inari Shrine is the god of Inari. The key feature is the symmetrical fox seal.

After we finished our prayers, Ohno kindly smiled and said, "The staff and shrine maidens at Hakodate Hachiman Shrine love to talk to us. If you have any questions about our shrine or Hakodate, please feel free to ask us."

The consideration for the worshippers and respect for the history of Hachiman Shrine can be seen in the handwritten goshuin stamps that are given to you once in a lifetime. Listening to the history told by the priests and shrine maidens will add a deeper meaning to your trip to Hakodate.

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Hakodate Hachiman Shrine
Address: 2-5 Yachigashira, Hakodate, Hokkaido
Access: 8 minutes on foot from Yachigashira Station on the Hakodate City Tram
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/hakodate_hachimangu/
*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.