The shrine maiden in a bright hakama sashayed through the corridors of the Hokkaido Jingu

Shrine maiden walking at the Hokkaido Jingu Shrine — Shrine maiden of Hokkaido Shrine

Although the shrine enshrines a deity not seen in the Kanto region, the precincts of the Hokkaido Jingu Shrine in Sapporo are not particularly different from those of shrines built in the Kanto region. The main shrine is the same Shinmei-zukuri style as the Ise Jingu Shrine, and the surrounding corridors look familiar. The shrine maidens walking around are no different. That's because this is a shrine belonging to the Association of Shinto Shrines. Even though the shrine is located in Hokkaido, which clearly became Japanese territory in the Meiji era, it is no different from shrines in the Tokyo area.

That is right. The Hokkaido Jingu Shrine is not that old, having been founded in the Meiji era. This makes one wonder what kind of religious facilities were used to practice the faith that existed before the shrine was built. Yes, the beliefs of the Ainu people. I wondered where the sacred places of the Ainu people were, but could not think of any specific places. They may have believed in something beyond human power as kamui, and performed various rituals, but they may not have built religious facilities that would last for generations to come. Or maybe I just don't know about them.

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