2-Hour Hokkaidō Shrine Tour in Sapporo with Shintoism Insights
About This Tour
Join this guided visit to Hokkaidō Shrine in Sapporo and learn about Shintoism through the history, customs, and daily practices connected to the shrine. Walk t...
Duration: 2 Hours · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Not included · Transport: Not included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · City: Sapporo · Languages: English
Know before you go: In case you wish to be picked up at your hotel, you will need to pay the public transportation fee for the guide.
About Sapporo
Sapporo
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What's Included
- English-speaking Sapporo tour guide
Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
Itinerary
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1Day 01
Hokkaidō Shrine Visit and Introduction to Shintoism
Meet your tour guide, who will begin by explaining Shintoism and the history of Hokkaidō Shrine, including the frontier spirit of Hokkaido at the second gate. This is the shrine's most famous gate and is thought of as a sacred power place. The guide will continue explaining as you walk along the front approach, which is 300 meters long, toward the front yard of the main shrine building. You will then purify yourselves by washing your hands at Temizuya, a Shinto water ablution pavilion, before prayer. After that, proceed to the main building, where you will also learn how to pray in front of the gods. After prayer, move to the shop selling amulets, Ema (votive picture tablet), and Omikuji (written fortune). The guide will explain their meaning and introduce daily life related to Shintoism and traditional customs. For example, parents take their children to a shrine to pray for their health and happiness when they reach 3, 5, and 7 years old in a ritual called Shichi-Go-San. People also take a baby to a shrine when the baby reaches 100 days old to pray for the baby's happiness. Many people visit Hokkaidō Shrine to obtain divine blessings. Tour ends.
Meeting Point
Meeting point: Maruyama-Kōen Subway Station · Tour start: 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-8505, Japan — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
