Nagoya Shrine Visit Report 2025 Mizuho No.19 Tsugata Shrine
A Quiet Local Shrine Protecting Its Sacred Boundaries — Tsugada Shrine (Nagoya, Mizuho Ward)
Tsugada Shrine stands quietly within a residential district in Mizuho Ward, Nagoya. It is not a grand sanctuary with vast grounds, but rather a mid-sized local shrine that has lived side by side with the daily life and prayers of its community for centuries.
During my visit, there was a clearly displayed “No Photography” sign inside the sacred area. This policy is unusual but not unheard of, and is increasingly adopted by smaller shrines that aim to protect:
- the sanctity and privacy of the deity
- the purity of the ritual space
- the privacy of local parishioners
- the prevention of image misuse
Because the shrine requests visitors not to photograph within its grounds, this article shows only two images: the approach from outside and the shrine’s wooden plaque. The inner grounds are described only through words. There were 10–15 impressive stone lanterns inside the precinct, and it is truly unfortunate that they cannot be shown here.
Approach — What Can Be Seen Before the Sacred Boundary
The approach from the residential road leads into a pocket of deep shade, with a quiet torii gate marking the threshold of the sacred space. From this point onward, photography is prohibited, preserving the silence and dignity of the shrine.
History of Tsugada Shrine
The exact founding year of Tsugada Shrine is unknown. Historical clues suggest that the shrine took shape as the surrounding settlements developed between the medieval and early modern periods. The current form of the precinct reflects centuries of local worship and gradual rebuilding.
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| AD 1200–1500 | Formation of a medieval village; the shrine is believed to have been founded in this period |
| AD 1600–1800 | Area develops alongside the growth of Nagoya Castle town |
| AD 1900–2000 | Current shrine layout stabilizes; local worship continues |
| AD 2000–Present | Stronger focus on preserving sanctity, including the “No Photography” policy |
Deities of Tsugada Shrine
| Deity | Description |
|---|---|
| Susanoo-no-Mikoto | Primary deity; protector against epidemics and guardian of water and agriculture |
| Kushinada-hime | Goddess associated with marriage, harmony, and childbirth |
| Onamuchi-no-Mikoto | Known as Ōkuninushi; deity of nation-building and regional protection |
| Kotoshironushi | Associated with prosperity and commerce; identified with Ebisu |
A Sacred Space Preserved by Silence
Stepping through the torii, the air changes immediately. The lined stone lanterns—10 to 15 in total—shape a solemn path that cannot be photographed but is deeply memorable. Though modest in size, the shrine carries a strong boundary between the ordinary and the sacred, a tension that quietly protects the space.
Final Impression
Tsugada Shrine is not a tourist destination but a local guardian that has quietly supported its community for centuries. The “No Photography” policy does not limit the experience; instead, it strengthens the invisible presence of the sacred. What cannot be shown through images is precisely what gives this shrine its unique atmosphere.