Nagoya Shrine Visit Report 2025 Mizuho No.23 Uchihama Shrine
Uchihama Shrine — A Small Sanctuary Preserved in a Corner of Mizuhoku
Located quietly at the edge of Uchihama Park in Mizuhoku, Nagoya, Uchihama Shrine is a compact yet historically rich local shrine.
I visited the shrine on December 10, and despite being surrounded by houses and modern residential streets, this small stone-built sanctuary preserves a sense of time and memory that contrast beautifully with its urban environment.
A Shrine That Stands in a Park Corner
Approaching the shrine feels like stepping into a small pocket of the past. A stone torii stands at the narrow entrance path, followed by weathered stone pillars and a simple fenced boundary. Despite its small scale, the composition creates a peaceful and intimate atmosphere rarely found in larger, busier shrines.
A Century of Trials Recorded in Stone
A stone monument within the grounds quietly records the difficult history this shrine has endured. Interpreted in Western years, its timeline is as follows:
| Year (AD) | Event |
|---|---|
| 1937 | Shrine relocated to its current site |
| 1945 | Damaged in wartime air raids |
| 1948 | Reconstruction of the shrine building |
| 1959 | Severe flood damage during the Isewan Typhoon |
Within just two decades, the shrine endured both war destruction and a major natural disaster. Yet it continued to be protected and rebuilt by local residents, becoming a symbol of community resilience. The stone monument, worn by wind and rain, stands today as a quiet testament to these hardships.
Enshrined Deities
| Deity | Description |
|---|---|
| Amaterasu Omikami | The central deity of Japanese mythology, associated with light, order, and life. Worshipped for blessings of safety, harmony, and prosperity. |
| Atsuta no Okami | The deity connected to the sacred Kusanagi sword, revered for protection, maritime safety, and regional well-being. |
Complete Stone Elements in a Compact Space
Although small in overall scale, Uchihama Shrine includes every essential stone feature of a traditional shrine: a torii gate, stone lanterns, komainu guardians, and a carved stone chozubachi for purification. These elements are arranged in a tight but well-balanced layout, giving the impression of a complete shrine condensed thoughtfully into a limited space.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Torii | A small stone torii marking the entrance. |
| Stone Lanterns | Weathered lanterns preserving traces of earlier decades. |
| Komainu | Softly shaped guardian dogs typical of regional stonework. |
| Chozubachi | A traditional carved stone water basin, still maintained with modern fittings. |
A Sanctuary That Lives Within the Local Community
Even with its modest scale, Uchihama Shrine carries layers of local history — from wetland origins to wartime destruction, from postwar reconstruction to the floods of the Isewan Typhoon. Every stone structure on the grounds reflects the determination of the community that preserved it.
I am currently visiting shrines across Mizuhoku Ward, where my office and warehouse are located. Large and famous shrines certainly have their appeal, but I find myself especially drawn to the quiet presence and familiarity of smaller neighborhood shrines.