Matsuri Guide

Name in Japanese and English

• 北海道神宮例祭（札幌まつり） (Hokkaidō-jingū reisai / Sapporo matsuri)
• Hokkaidō-jingū Shrine Reitaisai ("Sapporo Matsuri")

History

The Hokkaidō-jingū Reitaisai (北海道神宮例祭, Hokkaidō-jingū reisai) is the grand matsuri of the Hokkaidō-jingū Shrine (北海道神宮, Hokkaidō-jingū) in Sapporo (札幌, Sapporo). Locals very often call it "Sapporo Matsuri" (札幌まつり, Sapporo matsuri) and consider it one of the strongest markers of the beginning of summer in the city.

The modern origin of the festival is directly linked to the Meiji (明治, Meiji) era: in Meiji 5 (明治5年, Meiji go-nen, 1872), the day of the reitaisai (例祭, reisai) festival executive was fixed to June 15. Shortly after, the idea of "bringing out" the deity into the city took shape: the mikoshi procession mikoshi togyō (神輿渡御, mikoshi togyō) started at the end of the 19th century (often dated to 1878), and gradually became the most spectacular image of the festival.

Today, the Reitaisai spans three days and combines a highly ritual dimension (ceremonies, offerings hōnō (奉納, hōnō)) and a very popular dimension: stalls roten (露店, roten) at Hokkaidō-jingū, and a large festival area also at Nakajima Kōen (中島公園, Nakajima Kōen). The years 2020–2021 were marked by restrictions (even cancellations of the "festival" part), before a gradual resumption in the early 2020s.

Place and date of the event

• Place: Hokkaidō-jingū Shrine (北海道神宮, Hokkaidō-jingū) in Maruyama Kōen (円山公園, Maruyama Kōen) + festival zone at Nakajima Kōen (中島公園, Nakajima Kōen). The urban passage of the procession also involves the Tongū (頓宮, Tongū, "rest house" shrine) depending on the edition.
• Address:
  北海道神宮: 〒064-8505 北海道札幌市中央区宮ヶ丘474 (Hokkaidō-jingū) / Transliteration: 474 Miyagaoka, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 064-8505.
  中島公園: 〒064-0931 北海道札幌市中央区中島公園1 (Nakajima Kōen) / Transliteration: 1 Nakajima-kōen, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 064-0931.
• Access:
  北海道神宮: subway 円山公園駅 (Maruyama-Kōen-eki, Tōzai Line (東西線)) → approx. 15 min on foot (through Maruyama Kōen). Bus possible to 神宮前 (Jingū-mae) depending on the route.
  中島公園: subway 中島公園駅 (Nakajima-Kōen-eki, Nanboku Line (南北線)) in the immediate vicinity.
• Date: June 14, 15, and 16 (every year). In practice: 宵宮祭 (yoimiya-sai) on the 14th, 例祭 (reisai) on the 15th, 神輿渡御 (mikoshi togyō) on the 16th.
  

Sequence

The festival spreads over 3 days and alternates formal ceremonies at the shrine and a major public moment in the city. People come for protection and prosperity (wishes, thanks), but also for the atmosphere: stalls, entertainment, and an entire city switching to "matsuri mode."

June 14: the 宵宮祭 (yoimiya-sai) opens the period, with 奉納行事 (hōnō gyōji) (arts offered to the kami) and a crowd that grows significantly in the evening. June 15: the 例祭 (reisai) is the ritual heart (main ceremony) and the most "shrine-focused" day.

June 16: time for the spectacular highlight, the 神輿渡御 (mikoshi togyō): mikoshi (神輿, mikoshi) and floats dashi (山車, dashi) parade with a large procession in period costumes. This is the "postcard" moment of the festival, ideal if you want to see the collective energy and the very urban side of "Sapporo Matsuri."

Practical advice

Photos

For the procession, aim for places where the crowd densifies (major intersections, stop zones, entertainment points). A zoom lens is perfect for capturing faces and details of the mikoshi (神輿, mikoshi) and dashi (山車, dashi), and a wide-angle is used to show the volume of the parade. At the shrine, the late afternoon light in Maruyama Kōen (円山公園, Maruyama Kōen) is often the most flattering.

Weather

Mid-June in Sapporo can be mild during the day but still cool in the evening. The best strategy: layers (t-shirt + light jacket) and a compact windbreaker. A small shower is possible: provide simple protection for your equipment.

Transport

Avoid cars around the sites: between the crowds and possible traffic restrictions (交通規制, kōtsū kisei) the subway is much simpler. To go between 北海道神宮 and 中島公園, rely on the Tōzai (東西線) line + transfer to the Nanboku (南北線) line or a taxi ride if you want to save time.

Visitor tips

If you mainly want to see the grand procession, prioritize the 16th and find a spot where the parade "displays" itself (stop/presentation). For the stall atmosphere, the evenings of the 14th and 15th are very lively. An essential word when weaving through the crowd: すみません (sumimasen).

To bring

Cash (stalls), power bank, water, a small towel, and a light jacket for the evening. If you are heading to Nakajima Kōen, allow a bit more time for subway exits during peak hours.

Sources & References

• Hokkaidō-jingū: Sapporo Matsuri (Reitaisai) Official Guide

  Official page: 3-day principle, names of rites (Yoimiya-sai, Reisai, Togyō) and historical landmarks (Meiji 5/1872).

• Sapporo Tourist Association: Hokkaidō-jingū Reitaisai (Sapporo Matsuri) (Event)

  Official tourism event sheet: dates (including 2026), summary of highlights and description of the parade on the 16th.

• Sapporo Tourist Association: Hokkaidō-jingū (Tourist Spot) / Sapporo Matsuri Overview

  Historical context and clear explanation of the 3 days (14–16) and the tradition of mikoshi togyō.

• Sapporo Tourist Association: Notice of Hokkaidō-jingū Reitaisai (Sapporo Matsuri) (2025)

  Practical announcement (2025 edition): locations, typical schedules (Yoimiya-sai/Reisai/Togyō) and site reminders.

• Sapporo City Data (PDF): Origin of Sapporo Matsuri (Meiji era decision)

  Historical document (PDF): fixing the reitaisai in 1872 and contextual elements on the implementation.