2024.10.2
Celebrate the New Year in Otaru! Recommended shrines in Otaru for your first visit of the year
Otaru is dotted with many shrines, and is bustling with people making their first shrine visit of the New Year.
Hatsumode: The first visit to a shrine or temple in the new year. It is done to express gratitude for the previous year and pray for peace, health, and happiness in the new year.
■ Ryugu Shrine
Founded in 1876 by Hokkaido Colonization Commissioner Enomoto Takeaki to enshrine Emperor Kanmu, the shrine is well-known throughout the country for its blessings for good fortune and career advancement.
Located just a five minute walk from JR Otaru Station, the shrine is crowded with many people who come to pray and buy fortune slips. On New Year’s Day, the shrine hosts a lion dance performance, amazake (sweet sake) and red and white mochi (rice cakes), and is a great way to celebrate the New Year.
Address
3-22-11 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido
Google Map
Website
■ Suitengu Shrine
Suitengu Shrine is a historic shrine that was founded over 150 years ago, and its main hall and worship hall are designated as Otaru City Historical Buildings. Located close to Sakaimachi Shopping Street, a popular tourist spot in Otaru, many worshippers come to pray for marital harmony, success in love, and fertility. On clear days, you can get a panoramic view of Otaru’s cityscape, and in spring it is a beautiful shrine surrounded by cherry blossoms.
Address
3-1 Aioicho, Otaru, Hokkaido
Google Map
Website
https://hokkaidojinjacho.jp/水天宮-2/
■ Sumiyoshi Shrine
Sumiyoshi Shrine is the largest shrine in Otaru. Every July, many Otaru residents and tourists visit the Sumiyoshi Shrine Summer Festival. Many events are held throughout the year, and the shrine is famous as a power spot in Otaru. The “Joyasai” festival is held on the night of New Year’s Eve (December 31st), and the “Year-end Festival” is held from the morning of New Year’s Day.
Address
2-5 Suminoe, Otaru, Hokkaido
Google Map
Website
http://www.otarusumiyoshijinja.or.jp/
■ Tenguyama Shrine
Tenguyama Shrine is a shrine located at the top of Otaru Tenguyama and can be easily reached by ropeway. A large Tengu mask called “Hana-nade Tengu” is enshrined here, and it is said that if you stroke its nose, your wishes will come true. The ropeway starts operating early on New Year’s Day, and the shrine is crowded with many people as they watch the first sunrise of the year from the observation deck at the top of the mountain.
Address
Tenguyama, Otaru, Hokkaido
Google Map
Website
https://tenguyama.ckk.chuo-bus.co.jp/smr-power/
★Recommended information
In recent years, there has been a boom in goshuin stamps, and more and more tourists are carrying around goshuin stamp books that are a little different from the traditional goshuin stamp books, and are stylish and cute. It might be fun to visit shrines in tourist spots and enjoy collecting goshuin stamps.