Nagoya Shrine Visit Report 2025 Mizuho No.6 Murakami Shrine
On October 23, 2025, I visited Murakami Jinja, a small Shinto shrine located in Mizuho-ku, Nagoya. Standing quietly on the remains of an ancient burial mound known as the Odoriyama Kofun, this modest shrine left a lasting impression through its granite torii gate, stone steps, and calm presence.
🏛 Murakami Jinja — Basic Information
| Name | Murakami Jinja (村上神社) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-3-2 Murakamichō, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan |
| Deity | Atsuta Ōkami — the guardian deity of the famous Atsuta Shrine |
| Founded | Around 1868 (early Meiji period) |
| Former Shrine Rank | 15th grade (village shrine class) |
| Annual Festival | October 15 (or the second Sunday of October) |
| Location Type | Built atop the Odoriyama Kofun (constructed in the late 5th century) |
| Features | A quiet local shrine nestled in a residential area, with a granite structure harmonizing with the shape of the ancient mound. |
⛩️ The Torii and Stone Steps — Following the Shape of the Ancient Mound
The front torii gate is made of pale gray granite. On both sides of the approach, low retaining walls are constructed with river stones and cut granite blocks, softening the height difference of the mound. The lower layer uses rounded natural stones, while the upper layer uses cut stones, reflecting traditional local masonry techniques.
The stone steps are hand-carved, with anti-slip grooves carefully chiseled into each tread. The balustrades along both sides appear to be relatively recent additions, suggesting that local residents have continued maintaining the shrine with care.
💧 The Chōzubachi — A Natural Stone Basin
The water basin (chōzubachi) within the grounds is carved from a single natural granite boulder. The surface retains its rough natural texture, giving it a quiet dignity shaped by age. Water flows gently through a bamboo pipe, filling the basin with a soft sound that blends with the surrounding stillness.
Black river pebbles are spread around its base, creating a simple yet balanced composition. The combination of raw stone and water exemplifies the serene character of this small shrine.
🦁 The Komainu and Main Hall — Guardians of a Local Faith
Two komainu (guardian lion-dogs) stand before the main hall, sculpted in polished white granite. Although the dedication year is faint and difficult to read, their modern proportions suggest they were installed in the late 20th century. The care shown in their maintenance reflects the devotion of the local community.
The compact main hall stands on the raised mound, with stone steps and retaining walls arranged to follow the terrain, preserving harmony between structure and landscape.
🕰 Murakami Jinja — Historical Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 450 AD (Late Kofun Period) | The Odoriyama Kofun (a 40m-wide burial mound) was built on the site where Murakami Jinja now stands. |
| 1666 | Samurai Murakami Jihee of the Owari Domain developed this area, naming it “Murakami Shinden,” which became the origin of the town’s name. |
| 1830–1844 | A small shrine called Magosha (Manoshinnyo Tenman Jizaitenjin) was enshrined on the hill. |
| 1869 | The Magosha Shrine was relocated. On its former site, Atsuta Ōkami was enshrined under the name “Atsuta-sha,” the predecessor of Murakami Jinja. |
| Early 1900s | The shrine came to be called “Murakami Jinja,” serving as a guardian shrine for the local community. |
| 1980–1990s (estimated) | Granite torii gate, komainu statues, and chōzubachi were restored, forming the present layout. |
🪨 Stone Craftsmanship and Cultural Context
Murakami Jinja is a small shrine built atop an ancient mound, yet it reflects a long local tradition of stone craftsmanship. Each element—from the torii to the basin—shows how the people of Nagoya’s Mizuho area have preserved their connection with stone across generations. Though modest in scale, it conveys the quiet memory of a community’s prayers through enduring granite.
🪔 Closing Statement — The Quiet Prayer in Stone
Murakami Jinja is among the smallest shrines in Nagoya, but its location on a burial mound and its hand-carved granite structures tell a story of enduring faith and craftsmanship. In this silent space, the stones themselves seem to breathe, carrying the weight of centuries of prayer.
Japan has approximately 88,000 Shinto shrines, each preserving the spirit of its land and the prayers of its people. Murakami Jinja, though humble, stands as one of them—a quiet testament to how faith and stone continue to coexist in daily life.