In the Kuzuhara district of Odate City, there is a tragic tale passed down about the Matagi hunter “Teiroku” and his hunting dog “Shiro”; the Old Dog Shrine is where the loyal dog “Shiro” is enshrined.

To save “Teiroku,” who had been captured for hunting beyond the district’s borders while so engrossed in chasing his prey, “Shiro” made repeated trips through the snow—traveling more than ten ri—to his home to retrieve a “hunting permit.” However, he did not arrive in time, and “Teiroku” was executed.

Afterward, “Shiro” refused to eat and died as if following in Teiroku’s footsteps; the villagers, mourning his loss, built a shrine to enshrine “Shiro.”

At this Old Dog Shrine, items from the story—such as the “hunting permit”—are still preserved today.

A more detailed account of the story can be found on the Odate City website: https://www.city.odate.lg.jp/city/kankou/highlight/shrine/rouken

As a shrine dedicated to a dog—a rarity even on a national scale—it is a popular destination for people who currently own pets or have owned them in the past.

*Please note that the hiking trail is unpaved (no asphalt, etc.) and features exposed tree roots. Additionally, there is a risk of encountering wild animals such as bears, so please exercise extreme caution.