Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine
Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine, established in 1445, is a historic shrine located at the foot of Mount Hakodate. It was moved from Motomachi to its current location in Yachigashira, and the current main hall was rebuilt. One of the highlights of the shrine is the beautiful view of the sea and the torii gate, which can be seen when you look back after climbing the stairs. The shrine’s chozuya (water basin) often has seasonal flowers floating, and there is also a weeping cherry tree in the grounds that adds a charming touch to the atmosphere throughout the year.
Details
| Location | Yachigashira-cho 2-5, Hakodate, Hokkaido |
| Access | Take the tram from JR Hakodate Station to Yachigashira Station, then walk 15 minutes |
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Website | Hakodate Hachimangu Official Site |
My Visit
On a sunny afternoon in late April, I visited Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine. From the final stop of the tram, Yachigashira, it’s a 15-minute walk. As I passed through the impressive torii gate and continued further, I encountered a long set of stairs. Climbing them while feeling exhausted, I turned around and was greeted by a stunning view of the deep blue sea! In the shrine grounds, I admired the weeping cherry blossoms, the flowers floating in the chozuya (water basin), and thought how beautiful the autumn foliage on Mount Hakodate must be. Unfortunately, the famous rice cakes were sold out. The goshuin (temple seal) had no set price, so I paid 500 yen.