What other travelers are saying about Hokumon Shrine
Hokumon Shrine is a must-visit spot in Wakkanai, known as the northernmost manned shrine in Japan. Its beautiful facade, featuring traditional Shinto architectural elements, makes it a serene and picturesque destination. Visitors can also obtain a goshuin here, a unique and meaningful keepsake for shrine-goers and travelers.
One of the best features of Hokumon Shrine is its location. If you walk behind the shrine and follow the path, you can climb to Wakkanai Park, where more stunning views await. The path offers a quiet and peaceful route that leads to a vantage point overlooking the city. From here, you can enjoy a good view of the port, making it an ideal spot for photography or simply soaking in the tranquil surroundings.
Hokumon Shrine perfectly combines cultural, spiritual, and scenic elements, making it a highly recommended stop for those exploring Wakkanai. Whether you’re visiting for the goshuin, the views, or the peaceful ambiance, this shrine offers a unique experience at the edge of Japan’s northernmost city.
On Sept 17, 2025, my wife and I walked past it twice to and from the Wakkanai Park. The place was very quiet. We didn’t see any cars parked nearby or any other people.
A famous northern shrine which I felt nicely paired up with Mashikeitsukushima Shrine further south as the charms here are cute little crabs which pairs up nicely with the prawn shaped charms at the other shrine. An important spot in Wakkanai to drop by!
Quiet place, on the way up to Wakkanai Park. The shrine itself is pretty standard, but once climb beyond the shrine, one will be able to enjoy the spectacular view of Wakkanai Port and the city.
The most northern manned shrine. You can buy omamori charms. Very quiet and peaceful place.
Hokumon Shrine is the northernmost shrine in Japan with a resident Shinto priest. Located on a hill overlooking Wakkanai Port, it offers visitors both spiritual significance and scenic views of the city and harbor. The shrine's location at Japan's northern edge makes it a special pilgrimage destination for those collecting goshuin stamps marked as the northernmost in the country.
One of the most distinctive features is the guardian dog (komainu) statues. The lion statue on the left has a small child sitting at its feet, and it is said that those who visit will be blessed with children. The shrine also features beautiful cherry trees that make it especially picturesque in spring, and it serves as the starting point for a walking trail leading up to Wakkanai Park.
Hokumon Shrine offers local omikuji called "Ezo Mikuji", themed after Hokkaido specialties, in the form of a cute papier-mâché crab known as "I-Kani mo Ii Mikuji". These unique fortune slips are written in Hokkaido dialect and cost 400 yen. They're part of a series found at only 12 shrines throughout Hokkaido, each with different designs reflecting local culture.
The shrine is easily accessible by foot or bus from JR Wakkanai Station. It's approximately a 10-15 minute walk from the station. Alternatively, you can take a bus and get off at the "Jinja-mae" (Shrine-mae) bus stop, which is just a 3-minute walk from the shrine. Parking is available with about 20 spaces near the main hall in summer and 10 spaces year-round in front of the shrine office.
