Shrine Precincts
1. Main shrine
The current main hall was built in 1941, which was built in one of the representative architectural styles of shrines, Nagarezukuri. Although it does not have gorgeous decorations, it is a building with a solemn atmosphere where craftsmanship passed down from its predecessors was poured into it.
2. Yutaka-inari Shrine
The background of the its enshrinement in unknown, but has been long worshiped warmly by the local Yunokawa citizens in favor of their food, clothing and housing. The “Inari” of Inari shrine comes from Ine-naru meaning “growth of rice”. “Naru” is a term meaning hope production and development given from the great nature. Its divinity favors business prosperity, huge harvest of the five grains, production development and charm against fire and accidents.
3. Hiyoshi Shrine
In the early Meiji period (otherwise said to be before Meiji), the Kounoike of Osaka came to Hokkaido with 50 pioneers to begin development. They built a branch shrine of the Hiyoshi Taisha of Hieizan in Otsu of Shiga prefecture at current 4-chome Hiyoshi-cho Hakodate city. Since the Sangyo (Industrial) road was widened, the shrine was moved into Yukura Shrine where it now stands.
4. Sacred tree
The sacred tree of Yukura Shrine is the oldest Japanese yew tree in Yunokawa, said t be aged approximately 370 years. This tree is a preserved tree of Hakodate city. Also in the shrines premises are Japanese elm, Gingko, Japanese black pine, Acer mono and Chabohiba (Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea), all preserved trees of the city.
5.Nadeusagi Shinto
"The enshrined deity Onamuchi-no-kami (Okuninushi) and hares have a divine connection, in the myth “Hare of Inaba”, a sinful wounded hare is graced by the great god, and retrieves its health as well as its conscience. Ever since, hares are perceived to be holy beasts bringing good news.
In memory of the “Hare of Inaba” and in wish for visitors to graced widely by the deity’s divine virtues, the statue was installed in 2014 to commemorate the 360th anniversary of the shrine."
6. Yunokawa Onsen Birthplace Monument
Yunokawa onsen is famous throughout japan and is one of the 3 major hot spring villages of Hokkaido. From ancient times people have loved it as a famous hot spring, its origin starts from a lore known in Yukura Shrine. Details are as written in Pedigree. During the Hakodate War, Takeaki Enomoto of the Old shogunate army used this hot springs for curing sick and wounded soldiers as well as for himself. The etymology of Yunokawa comes from the Ainu term “Yupetsu”. “Yu” meaning “hot water”, “petsu” meaning “river”. Thus forms the Japanese name “Yunokawa” meaning “hot water river”. Back then, hot springs were seeping out from where the monument now stands. The spring consists of Sodium calcium chlorides and has a soft moist feeling. It has positive effects for nerve pains, rheumatism, stiff shoulder, backache and gastroenteropathy. The monument was made in 1947 by the Yunokawa club to commemorate the birth of Yunokawa Onsen.
7. Temari Rabbit
The round shape of "Temari" has the meaning that everything fits in a circle, a relationship is born, and you can live a bouncy life. Depending on the region, the culture of giving it on special occasions such as weddings and seasonal festivals has been handed down. This "Temari Usagi" was created as a new auspicious item with the motif of "Temari" and "Rabbit" so that everyone who visits can feel "Hare".
8.Bamboo Grove and White Rabbit
Bamboo has been used since ancient times in Shinto rituals to create a clean sanctuary and as a tool for exorcism during the year-end susubari ceremony. In Shinto, it is considered one of the pure plants along with Sakaki because of its green and straight growth.Please spend a healing time in this mysterious atmosphere where the divine beast "Rabbit" is expressed with white gravel.
9. Good luck gavel
A gavel associated to the shrine’s deity Onamuchi-no-kami (commonly known as Daikoku-sama) favoring good luck and better fortune, wishes fulfillment, health and longevity and physical sturdiness.
10. Monument in memory of martyrs from Yunokawa.
A stone monument in memory of the local martyrs of national affairs during the Japanese-Sino War and the Japanese-Russo War. The Imperial Hometown Soldiers Associotion Yunokawa village branch, made by voluteers in the old Yunokawa village, built this monument in 1911. The symbols “忠魂” (read Chukon) was written by the former 7th Asahikawa division commander and later Field Marshal Yusaku Uehara. In 1955 it was moved into the Shrine, and now worships the 342 spirits of war dead until the Great East Asia War (commonly referred to as WW2) and the deceased of the service association established from the branch.
