Nagoya Shrine Visit Report 2025 Mizuho No.31 Tsugatacho Yama jinja
Yama Shrine (Tsugatacho) — A Small Shrine Defined by Stone
In Tsugatacho, Mizuho Ward (Nagoya), there is a small shrine space where the essentials remain: a stone torii gate, two stone lanterns, and a single stele. There is no prominent name plaque or shrine sign that explains the origin, and the overall layout is simple. This is not a place to over-interpret. It is best recorded as it is—quiet, compact, and unmistakably a boundary for prayer.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Yama Shrine (Tsugatacho) |
| Location | Tsugatacho 3-chome, Mizuho Ward, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan |
| Year founded | Unknown |
| Enshrined deity | Unknown |
What can be seen on site
The shrine grounds are minimal, but clearly structured. The stone elements do most of the work, defining where the sacred space begins and how it is held.
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Stone torii | A granite torii that marks the boundary immediately. There is no long approach; the transition from street to shrine space happens in a few steps. |
| Stone lanterns (2) | Two tall lanterns stand within the compact grounds. Their role feels practical as well as symbolic: they help “hold” the space even when little else remains. |
| Stone stele | A single stele is the strongest clue here. It carries the inscription “Tateyama Daigongen”. |
| Komainu | None were found at the entrance or in front of the inner area. |
The key clue: the “Tateyama Daigongen” stele
The year founded and the enshrined deity remain unknown. However, the presence of a stele reading Tateyama Daigongen suggests that Tateyama belief (mountain faith linked to Mt. Tateyama) had reached this neighborhood at some point. In other words, even when the shrine’s original details cannot be confirmed, the stone record indicates a clear direction of faith.
Where Tateyama is: the Northern Alps (Hida Mountains) in Toyama
Mt. Tateyama belongs to the mountain region commonly called the Japanese Northern Alps, also known as the Hida Mountains. From this shrine area (Tsugatacho, Mizuho Ward), the straight-line distance to the Tateyama area is roughly 170–180 km. By road, the travel distance typically becomes about 250–280 km, and driving time often lands in the 3–4 hour range, depending on route and traffic.
A short note on Tateyama belief
Tateyama belief is a form of Japanese mountain faith. In medieval and early modern contexts, Tateyama was often discussed through a syncretic (Shinto-Buddhist) framework and expressed with titles such as “Daigongen.” Some explanations link the Tateyama Gongen to Izanagi on the Shinto side, and to Amida on the Buddhist side. For this shrine, those connections are best treated as interpretive context: the stele points toward Tateyama faith, while the shrine’s own founding story and enshrined deity remain unknown.
How to approach this shrine (a practical tone)
With few elements on site, it is better not to force a grand narrative. A brief visit is enough: bow at the torii, offer a short prayer, and record what can actually be verified—torii, lanterns, and the stele.
Postscript: finishing a Mizuho Ward shrine walk
This entry is one record from a local shrine walk around Mizuho Ward, where my office and warehouse are located. I visited and documented these shrines between October and December 2025, fitting them between store operations. In 2026, I plan to continue next door in Tenpaku Ward, visiting shrines and introducing them with photos.
Conclusion
Yama Shrine (Tsugatacho) is not the kind of shrine that offers a full set of clear explanations. Much remains unknown. Still, the fact that the grounds are held together by a torii, two lanterns, and the Tateyama Daigongen stele shows that this has remained a defined place for prayer.
No need to speak too loudly here. A short visit, a quiet bow, and leaving the space as you found it—that distance fits this shrine.