Yukura Shrine: A Hakodate Power Spot at the Birthplace of Yunokawa Hot Spring (Hokkaido)

In the famous Yunokawa hot spring district of Hakodate, Hokkaido, sits Yukura Shrine. Legend holds that in 1453 a woodcutter, grateful for healing his illness in a hot spring he had found, built a small shrine, and the site is known as the birthplace of Yunokawa hot spring. It was later established as a formal shrine, with records placing its founding in 1617. Enshrining Onamuchi-no-Kami and Sukunahikona-no-Kami, it is one of the finest power spots in Hakodate, offering wide-ranging blessings such as business prosperity, good harvests, health, and matchmaking. The stroking rabbit, said to grant wishes when stroked, is beloved by worshippers.

Highlights

• Stroking Rabbit: A rabbit statue regarded as a messenger of Okuninushi. Different wishes are said to be granted depending on where you stroke, and it is known as a rare rabbit-linked shrine in Hokkaido.
• Monument to the Hot Spring Birthplace: A storied site conveying the roots of Yunokawa hot spring, also a starting point for strolling the spa town.
• Splendid Halls: The dignified, history-laden halls give off a pure and serene air.
• Charming Fortunes and Amulets: A rich selection of rabbit-motif goods, popular as souvenirs of a trip.

Enjoying the Seasons

The New Year bustles with local first-visit worshippers, lively with people praying for the year's fortune alongside the hot springs. From spring to autumn, visiting together with a stroll through the spa town is pleasant. Staying at an inn in Yunokawa and worshipping in the clear morning air is also recommended. It is perfect for a stop at the close of Hakodate sightseeing to give thanks for a safe trip.

Access & Basic Information

• Location: 2-chome 28-1 Yunokawacho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
• Access (tram): About 1 minute on foot from the Yunokawa stop on the Hakodate Tram
• Access (car): About 10 minutes by car from Hakodate Airport, or about 15 minutes from JR Hakodate Station
• Parking: Free parking for worshippers (about 80 spaces)
• Hours: Grounds open all day (shrine office open during the daytime)
• Admission: Free

Practical Travel Notes

• Right by the tram stop, it is easy to combine with a stroll through Yunokawa hot spring and with Hakodate sightseeing.
• The stroking rabbit is said to have different spots to stroke for different wishes, so check the on-site guidance before praying.
• With free parking available, a visit by car is also convenient.
• Rabbit-motif amulets and fortunes are popular, and as a rare rabbit-linked shrine in Hokkaido it makes a welcome travel keepsake.
• Worshipping after a soak in Yunokawa hot spring lets you make your wish feeling cleansed in body and mind.

A Quick Tip

Right by the tram stop, it is easy to combine with Hakodate sightseeing and Yunokawa hot spring. The stroking rabbit has different spots to stroke for different wishes, so check the explanation before praying. Worshipping after a soak in Yunokawa hot spring lets you make your wish feeling cleansed in body and mind. The rabbit-motif amulets are also welcomed as travel souvenirs.

📚 Sources

The information in this article is organized from the history handed down at Yukura Shrine, on-site signboards, and tourism details for the city of Hakodate. History tied to Yunokawa Onsen and information on goshuin and rites can be confirmed through the shrine and local public information. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please always confirm with official sources before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 30 minutes for a visit and a look around the grounds, or half a day combined with a Yunokawa Onsen stroll.
• What to bring: Small change is handy for amulets and a goshuin.
• Getting around: As it stands in the Yunokawa Onsen area, access by tram or bus is convenient.
• Suggested route: After praying at the worship hall, quietly tour the grounds and combine it with a walk around Yunokawa Onsen.
• A note on worship: This is a place of local faith rooted in a hot-spring town, so worship calmly and quietly.