| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | 011-3822-6756 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the southern part of Hakodate city near the base of Mt. Hakodate. For public transport, it is a 12 minute walk uphill from Yachigashira tram station (seven stops from Hakodate tram station). If driving there is a small parking spot. 〒040-0046 Hokkaido, Hakodate, Yachigashiracho, 1-2 Myoshinji |
Gagyusanmyoshin Temple is a Buddhist temple tucked up in the hills of Mt. Hakodate. It is a large temple and being up on the slopes of Mt. Hakodate, has views overlooking the residential area of Hakodate. It is also on the way to the Hekketsu-hi Monument, which is a short walk away. The temple was founded by Wakamatsu Niizumi, who was born in 1915. As a child he had difficulty with his eyesight and his mother often prayed that he would be able to see. At the age of seven, he could finally open his eyes. From this experience, he devoted his life to the Buddhist faith.
He was a priest in Hakodate City, and in the spring of 1946, the temple was founded. For those practicing the Buddhist faith, there is a special red stamp that can be received on arrival. Throughout the temple and on the grounds, there are various statues and memorials. Each has their own special significance. There is a bell tower, with the large bell being rung at 6:30 and at 18:00 everyday. Throughout the year there are various events held. The most interesting being the ‘Yuan Dynasty Visit’ which is the New Year’s first prayer meeting. This festival sees brave souls pouring water over themselves in the cold winter weather. For other festivals, read below.
| January | Yuan Dynasty Visit New Year's first prayer meeting |
| February | Cold training Star Festival Setsubun Religious Party |
| March | Higankai |
| April | Spring festival |
| July | Ranbonkai Summer Vacation training dojo Mizuko Kyokai |
| September | Higankai |
| October | Autumn festival |
| November | Daikokutenjin festival |
| December | Boil up, Joya no Kane |
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0138-22-2637 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located at the central Hakodate. It is a 7 minute walk east from Matsukaze Cho tram station. Head east and the temple is on the corner of Isaribidori. It is by Omori Beach 22-6 Omoricho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0034 |
By the shores of Ōmori Beach there is a Shinto Shrine called Daimoriinari Shrine. The year of its founding is unknown due to the great fires in Hakodate. However, there is a map from the Kanbun Era dated back to the 1600’s with the name of the temple on it so the temple is estimated to be around 350 years old. The guardian stone lion dogs guarding the temple are incredibly old and are worth a look. After a large fire in 1890, it moved to its present location in 1943. The entrance used to face the ocean, but now it faces towards the city.
Inside the grounds there are various monuments and shrines honoring certain individuals. Prayers can be performed by the priest here can be booked in advance. The priest will bless everything from wife safety to business prosperity and anniversaries. Gifts and amulets can be bought inside. These bring good luck and protection. Throughout the year there are various events and festivals that are held at the temple. For more information on the dates read below.
| 1st of every month | New moon festival |
| 10th of every month | Monthly festival |
| January 1st | Year end festival |
| February 3rd | Setsubun festival |
| 1st day of the lunar month of February | Hatsuuma festival |
| June 30th | Oharae ceremony |
| September 9th - 11th | Evening palace festival |
| October 15th | Shichigosan |
| November 23rd | Niiname festival |
| December 31st | Nightfall festival |
| Admission | Free |
| Contact | 011-3823-5067 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Hakodate. It is a 6 minute walk south east from from Matsukaze-cho tram station. It's also a 3 minute walk from Omori beach. 20-5 Omoricho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0034 |
Daikanji is one of the many Buddhist temples that can be found throughout Hokkaido, Japan. This unassuming temple is also the residence of the monks here. The temple is easy to miss as it is on a residential street, and has the appearance of a large house. Once through the main gate, there is a small courtyard off of the main entrance. The small Jizo Statues are here draped in red cloth. Japanese people believe that red is the color to defend against evil and this has not changed since ancient times.
Due to babies also being vulnerable at a young age, parents dress them in red to keep them protected from danger and illness. This small temple is most easily accessed by car. There is no real parking here, though there is parking near the ocean which is only two blocks away, and not a far walk away. There are a couple of other temples in the area, so for those who have an interest in the Buddhist shrines, take a wander around plus enjoying the beachside.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-3822-0862 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located at the central Hokkaido. It is a 2 minute walk from Matsukaze Cho street car station. It is directly across from Hakodate Promote Hotel. 15-17 Matsukazechō, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0035 |
Kankanji is a large Buddhist temple in the central city of Hakodate. The temple is a short walk from many of the central hotels in the area and can be easily found off the main road. Throughout the year, (as with other temples of the same religious beliefs) special events and festivals are held. This temple is part of the Omotoyama Naritasan Shinshoji. There are eight other temples of the same sect and these can be found in Fukugawa (Tokyo), Kawagoe (Saitama), Sapporo (Hokkaido), Yokohama (Kanagawa), Osaka (Osaka), Nagoya (Aichi) and Fukui (Fukui prefecture).
The Founding Memorial Festival is on the 27th and 28th of July every year. Besides this festival, there are numerous events throughout the year. The main events can be seen on January 1, February 3 brings the Setsubun festival, March 20 (Vernal Equinox Day) Spring equinox memorial service, April 8 is the Flower Festival, June 15 is the Aoba Festival, September 18 (Autumn equinox day) Autumn equinox memorial service. The longest event is from October 1 to November 30 and sees the Shichigosan special prayer meeting. Trinkets, amulets, and beads can be bought at this temple.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8:00 - 18:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-3856-0572 http://www2.saijoji/homepage |
| Notes | Buddhist shrine, sightseeing spot, no parking (though can park across the street) |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Hakodate. It's across from Goryokaku Park on the west side. From Suginami-cho station it is a 13 minute walk north. 29-15 Goryokakucho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0001 |
Saijioji is a small Buddhist Temple in central Hakodate. It is directly across from Goryokaku Park, and is particularly beautiful in the spring as there are a couple of cherry blossoms in the courtyard area. There is also a small cafe next door making this a nice area to walk around. Being a Buddhist temple, you can find the various statues and motifs symbolizing the faith of this religion. There is a lovely little central shrine in the courtyard. It makes for a great photo opportunity.
Inside the temple itself they have the statues of the four widely revered Bodhisattva (Bosatsu in Japanese). Bodhisattva refers to anyone who has made a resolution to become a Buddha and has also received a confirmation or prediction from a living Buddha that this will be so. The four Bodhisattva include boundless compassion, wisdom, practice, and lastly patience and salvation from suffering. This is a nice spot to drop into and visit on your way to or from the Goryokaku Park nearby. And why not take a break at the cafe next door.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0136-45-2644 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple, the 9th temple on the 13 Buddha pilgrimage, car needed to get there |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Makkari near Mt. Yotei. It's a 10 minute drive from Rusutsu. From Sapporo [Sapporo (via Nakayama Pass) it takes 1 and half hours. Route 230 to Rusutsu, then Route 66 to Makkari. It is after the "Roadside Station Makkari Flower Center", opposite the "Makkari Post Office". 23 Toyamachi, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5802 |
Shingonin is a Buddhist temple that can be found in central Makkari. It is was constructed in 1917 with the building of the main hall, and was named ‘Shingonin’ at this time. The temple offers nice views of Mt. Yotei that rises up close by. Shingonin has services that can be reserved by the public. These include funeral services, a memorial service one year after the death of a loved one, gravestones and burial. They also offer memorial services for the death of a pet. Prayer services are also offered, for a consultation you need to contact the friendly staff or visit their website.
Prayer services include blessings for a healthy delivery of a baby, blessing for growth (100 days after a child is born), and traffic safety blessings. These blessings cost ¥5000 each. In Buddhism there are the “Thirteen Buddhas”. The thirteen Buddhas protect the deceased. There are 17 temples in Hokkaido that have sacred ground pertaining to the “Thirteen Buddhas”. There is a pilgrimage that can be taken by visiting these 17 temples. Shingonin is the 9th sacred temple on this pilgrimage. For access to the pilgrimage map, you can check here.
| February 1 | 10:00 start. Prayer for the year with the throwing of beans for good luck. |
| March 20 | 13:00 start. A day to thank the teachings of Kobo Daishi Kukai, who passed in March 21, 835. |
| July 15 | 13:00 start. A day to celebrate the birth of Kobo Daishi, who was born on June 15, 774. |
| August 16 | 14:30 start. Obon festival to remembrance of the dead. |
| November 20 | 12:00 lunch start. To thank Kobo Daishi teacher for his teachings. |
