Obihiro Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Obihiro Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary in the city of Obihiro on Hokkaido, built in the Shinmei-zukuri style characterized by straight lines and simple forms. The well-maintained grounds are surrounded by large trees including Japanese elms and katsura trees, and feature several small buildings, stone lanterns, and water purification basins.
The shrine was built in its present form in 1910, after pioneers from Shizuoka Prefecture began holding festival gatherings in 1881. The grounds were designated as a protected green space in 1974 to preserve the natural environment.
The shrine is dedicated to Ōkuni-mitama no mikoto, Ōkuninushi no mikoto, and Sukunabikona no mikoto, deities honored by the local community for prosperity and protection. Visitors can observe traditional elements like the torii gate at the entrance, water purification basins, and ema wish plaques that reflect the spiritual life practiced here.
The shrine is accessible daily with no entrance fee and can be reached with a short walk of about seven minutes from Obihiro JR Station after taking a bus. The clean, well-kept paths and shaded forest make the grounds pleasant to explore year-round, especially on warm days.
The shrine served as the inspiration for the Great Ezo Shrine in the manga Silver Spoon, attracting many fans of the series to visit the grounds. The flower-shaped purification basins are ranked among the finest of their kind in Japan.
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