Hachioji Shrine Visit Report — Murakumocho, Showa Ward, Nagoya, Japan
To introduce Japan’s stone culture to an international audience through japanstones.shop, I regularly visit and document shrines in Nagoya.
On January 30, 2026, I visited Hachioji Shrine, located in a residential area of Murakumocho, Showa Ward. Although the precinct is small, it preserves a dense concentration of stone elements, including a stone water basin, stone steps, a rounded-stone retaining platform, and stone bases supporting small shrines.
Overview
| Name | Hachioji Shrine |
|---|---|
| Location | Murakumocho, Showa Ward, Nagoya, Japan |
| Founded | Unknown |
| Enshrined deity | Unknown (multiple theories) |
| Access | Walking distance from Aratamabashi Station (Tsurumai Line) |
| Notes | An elementary school stands directly in front of the shrine. The shrine has a strong local character and is often described as a guardian presence watching over the neighborhood, children, and the school. |
Photographs of the Shrine Grounds
Below are photographs taken on site, arranged to convey the key features of the precinct. Captions are placed beneath each photograph.
Photo 1: Main Shrine Building
Photo 2: Stone Chozubachi (Water Basin)
Photo 3: Jizo Shelter
Photo 4: Interior of the Jizo Shelter
Photo 5: Small Shrine within the Grounds
Highlights of the Stonework
- Stone steps and railings: Even at this small scale, stone clearly defines the symbolic ascent into the shrine.
- Rounded-stone retaining platform: Built without sharp edges, allowing the natural forms of the stones to remain visible, giving a gentle impression suited to a residential setting.
- Stone water basin: Large and visually prominent, with the “水清” inscription leaving a strong impression.
- Stone base of the small shrine: An easily understood example of the combination of wood and stone as structural elements within the precinct.
- Notably absent: There are no stone lanterns and no komainu guardian-dog statues visible within the precinct. This absence makes the remaining stone features—especially the chozubachi, steps, and Jizo shelter—stand out even more clearly.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1844 | A reference to a shrine dedicated to Hachioji appears in the Gokiso Village section of Owari-shi, listed among local village shrines. |
| 1873 | The predecessor of Gokiso Elementary School (Soun School) is established. |
| circa 1910s | According to local accounts, the shrine was temporarily moved to Gokiso Hachimangu and later rebuilt around the end of the Meiji period at the request of villagers. |
| 1933 | Murakumo Elementary School becomes independent as a branch school, marking a stage in the area’s development. |
| 1945 | Local tradition holds that although surrounding areas were destroyed by air raids during World War II, this shrine survived without being burned. |
Enshrined Deity
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Publicly confirmed information | The enshrined deity is officially recorded as unknown. |
| Interpretations in personal records | Based on the name “Hachioji,” some suggest a connection to the worship of eight deities; this remains speculative. |
| Editorial policy | This article records the deity as “Unknown (multiple theories)” and avoids definitive attribution. |
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Written on: 2026-02-04 (JST)