Nagoya Shrine Visit Report 2025 Mizuho No.11 Fuji Hachiman Shrine
Fujihachiman Shrine — Guardian of Courage and Blessings of Nature
Located in Kando-cho, Mizuho Ward, Nagoya, Fujihachiman Shrine enshrines Emperor Ōjin, the deity of valor, and Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji and natural blessings. It is a rare shrine that combines the “martial protection” of Hachiman faith with the “grace of nature” rooted in the Asama tradition. Within the same grounds stand the Tsushima Shrine and Akiba Shrine, where prayers for protection from epidemics and fire prevention continue to this day.
On October 29, 2025, I visited this sacred site. The shrine was bathed in gentle autumn light, with golden ginkgo leaves swaying in the breeze—a scene that carried the quiet dignity of centuries.
Deities Enshrined
| Shrine | Main Deity | Divine Blessings |
|---|---|---|
| Fujihachiman Shrine | Emperor Ōjin Konohanasakuya-hime |
National protection, victory in battle, safe childbirth, fire prevention, and prosperity of crops |
| Tsushima Shrine | Takehayasusa-no-Ō-no-Mikoto | Purification, exorcism, protection from plagues |
| Akiba Shrine | Kagutsuchi-no-Kami | Fire prevention, household safety |
Historical Timeline
| Year (AD) | Event |
|---|---|
| 1200–1300 | Believed to have been founded with deities transferred from Usa Hachiman Shrine and Asama Shrine. Exact founding year unknown. |
| 1826 | Fujigongen and Hachiman Shrine merged and relocated to the current site, according to local tradition. |
| 1868 | Following the Meiji-era separation of Shinto and Buddhism, reorganized as a local guardian shrine. |
| 1930–Present | Despite urbanization, annual festivals and traditions have continued, sustaining its role as the spiritual center of the community. |
Atmosphere of the Shrine
Passing through the torii gate, visitors find the main hall straight ahead, with Tsushima and Akiba Shrines to the left. Two guardian komainu statues protect the grounds, while a towering ginkgo sacred tree stands east of the hall. Within the precincts rests a Jizō statue, likely influenced by the neighboring temple—a rare sight that reflects Japan’s syncretic tradition of Shinto-Buddhist coexistence.
During my visit, local worshippers quietly paid their respects, reminding me how deeply these rituals remain woven into daily life.
The Spread of Hachiman Faith
Hachiman worship centers around Emperor Ōjin, the divine protector of warriors and the nation. The head shrine is Usa Jingu in Oita Prefecture, alongside Iwashimizu Hachimangu in Kyoto and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura—collectively known as Japan’s three great Hachiman shrines.
Japan is home to approximately 80,000 Shinto shrines, of which around 25,000 belong to the Hachiman tradition, making it the nation’s second-largest Shinto faith after Inari. Hachiman remains a symbol of courage, discipline, and enduring protection throughout Japan’s history.
Conclusion
Fujihachiman Shrine stands as a rare place where the martial spirit of Hachiman and the life-giving blessings of Mount Fuji’s deity are worshipped together. For centuries, it has protected this region as a quiet guardian of faith and nature.
I am visiting and documenting accessible shrines among Japan’s approximately 80,000 sacred sites, introducing their history and spirit through JapanStones.shop.
Stone lanterns, originally introduced to Japanese gardens through the art of tea ceremony, have come to represent tranquility and harmony. Today, they are admired worldwide as symbols of spiritual serenity in garden design.
Standing within the calm grounds of Fujihachiman Shrine, surrounded by stone and trees, I felt that a Japanese garden is, in essence, a prayer itself. I hope this inspires your own garden and sense of peace.