A shrine with a deep connection to the Heritage of Salmon. Feel the depth of history in its cultural relics.

Dedicated in the late eighteenth century, this first shrine in Nemuro region is said to have been built by Hidaya Kyubei, who established a salmon fishery.

The shrine is dedicated to three deities: the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, also enshrined in Ise Grand Shrine; Kotohira-no-Okami, the guardian of fishermen; and Ichikishima-hime, the goddess of water.

Since its founding, the people of Shibetsu have come here to pray for safety and success at sea.

The shrine has many artifacts in which the history of Shibetsu can be felt.

One of its treasures is the “Tenpo Stone Lantern,” Shibetsu’s oldest stone structure. Its inscription, marking the date of dedication in 1842, speaks to us directly from the Tokugawa Era.

During the Tenpo Era (), a four-clawed anchor anchor is said to have been caught in a fisherman’s net, and offered to the shrine. It can be seen in a folding screen painting which depicts Shibetsu at the end of the shogunal era. The screen is originally from the Tokugawa-period Shibetsu guardhouse.[

Since then, industry has grown on land and sea, and ship traffic has increased. As a result, the anchor is revered as "Ikari Benzaiten." The anchor remains enshrined here, praying for the success of the fishing industry.

The shrine has many other items embodying Japan’s development since the middle of the Tokugawa Era.

When you visit Shibetsu shrine, as you bow and clap, feel its deep connection to the town’s fishing heritage, and Japan’s past.

And find your own future! One of Japan’s customs is mikuji, small fortunes that are given at shrines and temples. There is also a tradition of pilgrims collecting shuin, stamps from shrines and temples featuring beautiful calligraphy. Both can be bought at the shrine’s office.