Hokkaido Shrine

Established in 1869 to enshrine three deities credited with guiding the island's early settlers, and it sits within Maruyama Park in central Sapporo surrounded by dense forest. About 1,400 cherry trees and 250 plum trees make it one of Hokkaido's most popular blossom-viewing spots during Golden Week. Ezo squirrels and foxes move through the grounds year-round, and the forest gives the whole place a quieter, more removed quality than shrines in the city center. The June Sapporo Festival centered here is the biggest of the year, and the shrine is also busy at New Year and during Shichi-Go-San in November.