Nagoya, Japan Shrine Visit Report 2026 Showa No.20 Hachidai Ryuohsha
Hachidai Ryuohsha (Gokiso) — A Small Hilltop Shrine for the “Dragon of the Pond”
On 2026-02-16, I visited Hachidai Ryuohsha in Gokiso, Showa Ward, Nagoya City.
The red-painted torii gate and fence are the key landmarks, and the shrine appears like a “small boundary” within a quiet residential area.
The Legend of Ryukoji-ga-ike Pond
It is said that a pond called “Ryukoji-ga-ike” once existed in this area, and that the surroundings of this shrine may have been part of the pond.
There is a legend that a dragon lived in Ryukoji-ga-ike. The story goes that, out of fear of what might happen when the pond disappeared due to land reclamation (a desire to avoid a curse), a shrine was built here to enshrine the deity.
Even though the pond is no longer visible today, the place name and this shrine felt as if they still hold the “memory of water.”
Ryukoji Temple still stands next to this shrine today.
Photos
Photo 2: In front of the torii gate, at the top of the stairs on the right.
Photo 3: The sanctuary is visible behind the protective building. An angle that makes the structure easy to understand.
Photo 4: The front of the worship space. Tools and fittings are arranged within a small space.
Photo 5: The stone pillar marker. The carved inscription reads “Hachidai Ryuohsha.”
Photo 6: A stone water basin. Traces of red paint remain, visually echoing the shrine’s red elements.
History Timeline (AD)
| Year (AD) | Event |
|---|---|
| 1533 | (Local context) Ryukoji Temple, which also gave the pond its name, is said to have been founded during the Sengoku period. |
| 1916 | Ryukoji-ga-ike Pond was filled in, and Hachidai Ryuohsha is said to have been built in the same year. |
Enshrined Deity
| Category | Name | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Main deity | Hachidai Ryuoh (Eight Great Dragon Kings) | A local narrative remains that this enshrines the “master of the pond (a dragon).” In Japan, dragon deities are often worshipped in connection with rain and water. |
| Note (Eight Dragon Kings) | Eight Dragon Kings | Nanda / Upananda / Sagara / Vasuki / Takshaka / Anavatapta / Manasvin / Utpala (spellings vary by source) |
Highlights I Noticed On Site (Short Notes)
- The red torii gate and fence: The color stands out clearly against the residential streetscape, making the “boundary” easy to recognize.
- A design with elevation: The shrine sits above a stone retaining structure, and even in a small site, the “power of the terrain” comes through.
- Stone elements: A stone name marker pillar and a stone water basin (or water vessel) show stone as a practical material used in worship.
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Written on: 2026-02-16 (JST)