Ashiribetsu Jinja

Quick facts

Address

2-1-3-1 Hiraoka 2-jo, Kiyota-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

Spiritual entities

Amaterasu Ōmikami (天照大御神) · Inari (稲荷大神)

About this place

Ashiribetsu Jinja stands in Kiyota-ku, Sapporo; its name is read Ashiribetsu. Its deities are Amaterasu, Oyamatsumi and Ukanomitama. In 1874 Nagaoka Shigeharu made a small shrine in a corner of the land he had cleared, and worshipped there morning and evening. In September 1885 a shrine in the steep gasshō style was built on the east side of the Atsubetsu river, and prayer was offered for abundant harvests and the safety of the district’s people. In April 1917 the main hall was moved to the present site, and in September 1930 the shrine received official recognition. A religious corporation was established in August 1946, and a new hall was built and completed on 5 September 1970. The annual festival is 12 September, with the eve festival on 11 September. No benefit that may be prayed for is stated.

Origin and history

In 1874 Nagaoka Shigeharu made a small shrine in a corner of the land he had cleared, and worshipped there morning and evening.

In September 1885 a shrine in the steep gasshō style was built on the east side of the Atsubetsu river, and prayer was offered for abundant harvests and the safety of the district’s people. In April 1917 the main hall was moved to the present site.

It received official recognition in September 1930, a religious corporation was established in August 1946, and a new hall was completed on 5 September 1970.

What it is locally associated with

• Origin

  A small shrine in a corner of cleared land

  In 1874 Nagaoka Shigeharu made a small shrine in a corner of the land he had cleared, and worshipped there morning and evening.

  documented history

• Origin

  A gasshō-style shrine and its prayer

  In September 1885 a shrine in the steep gasshō style was built east of the Atsubetsu river, with prayer for abundant harvests and the safety of the district’s people.

  documented history

• What people do here

  Moved in 1917

  In April 1917 the main hall was moved to the present site, and official recognition followed in September 1930.

  documented history

This shrine begins with one man’s daily round. In 1874 Nagaoka Shigeharu made a small shrine in a corner of the land he had cleared and worshipped there morning and evening — a corner of his own ground, and a habit kept twice a day. Sapporo’s shrines begin with the state, with an army company, with 240 households or five, with a confraternity. This is the only one that begins with a private routine.

The name is read Ashiribetsu. The modern ward written with the same characters is read Atsubetsu, but the shrine keeps the older reading, and uses it of itself.

Where it stands no longer matches what it is called. It bears the name Atsubetsu and its address is Hiraoka in Kiyota-ku, the result of the main hall being moved in April 1917 — the same shape as Kamiteine Jinja, which stands in Nishino. Two shrines in this region carry a name that has outlived its geography.

The shrine built in 1885 was in the steep gasshō style, and what was prayed for there was abundant harvests and the safety of the district’s people. The page names no benefit, so this page carries no tag for what may be prayed for.

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Sources

1. 厚別神社 — 北海道神社庁札幌支部 (accessed 2026-08-16)