Complete Guide to Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine | History, Blessings, Annual Festival, and Access Information
Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine, located in Sakuragaoka, Kuriyama-cho, Yubari-gun, Hokkaido, is a historic shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of learning. The annual festival, held every September, boasts the largest number of stalls in Hokkaido and attracts many worshippers. This article provides a detailed overview of Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine, from its history and annual events to its blessings and access methods.
What is Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine?
Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine is located at 2-32 Sakuragaoka, Kuriyama-cho, Yubari-gun, Hokkaido, and enshrines a divided spirit of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. With Sugawara no Michizane as its enshrined deity, it is known for its diverse blessings, including academic success and passing exams.
Located approximately 11 minutes on foot from Kuriyama Station, it is a center of faith for local residents and a popular tourist spot. The shrine grounds are surrounded by nature that changes with the seasons, creating a peaceful environment for worship.
About the enshrined deity: Sugawara no Michizane
Sugawara no Michizane was a scholar and politician of the Heian period, known for his outstanding learning and sincere character. He is enshrined as the god of learning at Tenmangu shrines throughout Japan, and attracts fervent devotion from students and those praying for academic success.
At Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine, Sugawara no Michizane is revered as the enshrined deity, and it is believed that he bestows a wide range of blessings, including not only academic success but also good fortune, family safety, and protection from evil.
History of Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine
The beginning of faith in the pioneering era
The history of Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine dates back to the pioneering era of Hokkaido. It is said to have begun when seven or eight pioneering families, scattered along the Yubari River, erected an altar in the forest and formed a small shrine for worship.
In 1888 (Meiji 21), the number of settlers from Toyama and Miyagi prefectures increased, and full-scale development progressed. At that time, the area was called “Uenbetsubuto” in the Ainu language, but the name “Kuriyama” (Chestnut Mountain) became established due to the abundance of chestnut trees growing there.
Founding in the Meiji Era
In 1891 (Meiji 24), with the number of houses increasing to 30, volunteers initiated the construction of a small shrine called “Kuriyama Shrine.” At this time, a divided spirit of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine was enshrined, and the shrine was officially founded with Sugawara no Michizane as the main deity.
In 1893 (Meiji 26), the railway opened, and along with the development of Kuriyama, the shrine also increased in importance as a spiritual pillar of the region.
Development during the Taisho and Showa Eras
In 1925 (Taisho 14), the main shrine building and worship hall were extensively constructed, giving the shrine a proper appearance. In 1929 (Showa 4), it was elevated to the status of a village shrine, recognizing its prestige within the region.
In 1952 (Showa 27), it was renamed “Kuriyama Tenmangu” based on the Religious Corporations Law, becoming its current name.
Completion of the Current Shrine Buildings
In 1968 (Showa 43), to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Hokkaido, a plan was made to relocate the shrine to its current site. In 1969 (Showa 44), the new main shrine building, worship hall, and shrine office were completed, resulting in its current form.
With the construction of these new shrine buildings, the shrine was able to accommodate more worshippers, and it continues to attract local devotion as a representative shrine of Kuriyama Town.
Benefits of Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine
At Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine, you can receive various blessings through the divine virtues of Sugawara no Michizane.
Academic Success and Passing Exams
As the shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning, the most representative blessing is academic success and passing exams. During exam season, many students and their parents visit the shrine to pray for success in their desired schools.
Exorcism and Good Fortune Prayer
Prayers for exorcism during unlucky years and for good fortune are also offered. Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine accepts reservations for exorcism by phone (0123-72-1370) or through its website, and you can receive a respectful prayer.
Family Safety Prayer
Prayers for family safety, wishing for the health and peaceful lives of family members, are also popular. Families can be seen visiting the shrine together during the New Year and other significant life events.
Traffic Safety
You can receive prayers for traffic safety when purchasing a new car or obtaining a driver’s license. Many people visit to pray for safe driving and accident-free driving.
Prayer for Safe Childbirth and Fertility
Prayers for safe childbirth and fertility are also important blessings received at Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine. Couples praying for the birth of a new life and pregnant women praying for a safe delivery visit the shrine.
First Shrine Visit and Shichi-Go-San Ceremony
The shrine also performs the first shrine visit to pray for the healthy growth of a baby and the Shichi-Go-San ceremony to celebrate a child’s growth. These are important milestone ceremonies for families and are used by many.
Prayer for Recovery from Illness and Removal of Bad Luck
You can also receive prayers for recovery from illness and prayers to remove bad luck and attract good fortune.
Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine Annual Festival (Autumn Festival)
The Largest Festival in Hokkaido with a Line of Stalls
The Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine Annual Festival is the largest event in Kuriyama Town, held annually for three days from September 24th to 26th. The festival’s most distinctive feature is the sheer scale of its stalls.
Every year, over 200, sometimes more than 300, stalls line the streets, making it one of the largest in Hokkaido. The sight of stalls stretching for over a kilometer is breathtaking, and the usually quiet town of Kuriyama becomes incredibly lively during this period.
Highlights of the Annual Festival
During the festival, traditional Shinto rituals are performed, and various events are held. Many people visit not only from the local area but also from neighboring cities and towns, making it a beloved autumn tradition.
There are a wide variety of stalls, including food stalls, game booths, and haunted houses, offering something for everyone from children to adults. ### Information on the 2025 Annual Festival
The 2025 Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine Annual Festival is scheduled to be held for three days, from Wednesday, September 24th to Friday, September 26th. Detailed times and events will be updated regularly on the official Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine website, so those planning to attend are advised to check in advance.
Information on Goshuin (Shrine Seals)
Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine offers Goshuin. Goshuin are popular among visitors as proof of worship and as a memento of their shrine visits.
Goshuin are available at the shrine office from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can bring your own Goshuincho (seal book) or purchase one on-site.
Why not get a Goshuin as a memento of your visit and proof of your visit to Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine?
Other Services and Consultations
Naming Certificate Calligraphy Service
Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine offers a service to calligraph newborn babies, beautifully inscribing their names on naming certificates. This important milestone in a child’s life can be preserved with the calligraphy of a prestigious shrine.
Feng Shui Consultation
We also offer consultations on feng shui for those considering building a new home or renovating. You can receive advice based on traditional knowledge.
Shrine Q&A
The official website of Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine has a “Shrine Q&A” section that answers various questions about visiting the shrine and other matters related to the shrine. It’s recommended to check this section beforehand if you are visiting for the first time or want to learn about shrine customs.
Annual Events
Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine holds various annual events throughout the year.
Main Annual Events
- New Year’s Day Festival: The first Shinto ritual to welcome the new year
- Setsubun Festival: A ritual to ward off evil spirits through bean-throwing, etc.
- Grand Festival: The most important festival, held from September 24th to 26th
- Shichi-Go-San Festival: Celebrating children’s growth, mainly in November
- Year-End Purification Ceremony: Purifying and cleansing away the impurities of the year
These annual events are important opportunities to pass on the region’s traditional culture, and many worshippers visit.
Access Information
Location
32, Sakuragaoka 2-chome, Kuriyama-cho, Yubari-gun, Hokkaido 069-1501
Access by Train
Get off at Kuriyama Station on the JR Muroran Main Line, and it’s about an 11-minute walk. The route from the station to the shrine is relatively flat, and you can easily reach it on foot.
Access by Car
- Approximately 20 minutes from the Ebetsu-Higashi Interchange on the Hokkaido Expressway
- Approximately 20 minutes from the Iwamizawa Interchange on the Hokkaido Expressway
The shrine is easily accessible from both interchanges.
Parking
There is a parking lot for visitors on the shrine grounds. However, it gets very crowded during the annual festival, so we recommend using public transportation or arriving early.
Visiting Hours and Inquiries
Visiting Hours
While the shrine grounds are open 24 hours a day, the shrine office is only open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Those wishing to receive a Goshuin (shrine stamp) or perform various prayers should visit during these hours.
Inquiries
Phone Number: 0123-72-1370
Reservations for exorcism rituals and other consultations can be made by phone or through the official Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine website. Making a reservation in advance will allow you to receive prayers smoothly without waiting.
About Kuriyama Town
Kuriyama Town, where Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine is located, is a town rich in nature in the Sorachi region of Hokkaido. Agriculture is thriving, and it is particularly known for its production of onions and melons.
Besides Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine, the town also has tourist attractions such as the Kobayashi Sake Brewery’s sake brewery tour facility and Kurinoki Farm, which can be visited in conjunction with a visit to Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine.
Manners for Visiting Shrines
When visiting a shrine, it is important to observe basic manners.
How to Pass Through a Torii Gate
The torii gate is the entrance to the sacred area. Before passing through the torii gate, bow once, and since the center of the path is considered the path of the gods, walk along the sides.
Proper Hand-Washing Ritual
- Hold the ladle in your right hand and wash your left hand.
- Switch the ladle to your left hand and wash your right hand.
- Switch the ladle back to your right hand, receive water in your left hand, and rinse your mouth.
- Wash your left hand again.
- Hold the ladle upright, wash the handle, and return it to its original position.
Proper Worship Ritual
The general worship ritual at shrines is “two bows, two claps, one bow.”
- Bow deeply twice.
- Clap your hands twice at chest height.
- Finally, bow deeply once.
Summary
Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine is a historic shrine that has attracted the faith of the people of Kuriyama Town for over 130 years since its founding in the Meiji era. Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning, Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine is a reliable place to pray for various milestones in life, including academic success, passing exams, warding off evil, bringing good fortune, family safety, traffic safety, safe childbirth, fertility, first shrine visits for newborns, Shichi-Go-San (a traditional Japanese rite of passage for children), recovery from illness, and warding off bad luck.
The annual grand festival, held in late September, is particularly famous as the largest festival in Hokkaido, featuring over 200 stalls and attracting large crowds. While the shrine grounds are usually quiet and peaceful, during this time they become a vibrant and special place.
The shrine is easily accessible, located about 11 minutes on foot from Kuriyama Station and about 20 minutes from the Hokkaido Expressway interchange. When visiting Hokkaido, or when facing exams or other significant life milestones, why not visit Kuriyama Tenmangu Shrine?
The shrine offers services such as issuing Goshuin (temple/shrine seals), writing name certificates on behalf of the local community, and providing consultations on feng shui. As a shrine that supports the local people in various ways, it will undoubtedly continue to attract worshippers in the Kuriyama area.
