Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja · Hiroshima Shokonsha (historic name in use until 1939) · Mizukusa Reisha (original 1868/69 name)
About
The shrine stands within the precincts of Hiroshima Castle, in the centre of a city whose modern story has been shaped by both tragedy and renewal. As a Gokoku Jinja, a shrine for the protection of the nation, it enshrines the souls of those from the former Hiroshima Han and the wider region who lost their lives in service of their country.
The shrine was first founded in 1869, the opening year of the Meiji period, in the district of Futabanosato in Hiroshima, in mourning for those of the domain who had fallen in the Boshin War. It was relocated in 1934 to the site of what is now the Hiroshima Municipal Stadium and renamed Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine in 1939.
In 1945 the shrine was destroyed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. It was rebuilt in 1965 within Hiroshima Castle, the new sanctuary raised through the gifts of the citizens themselves, who had carried both their losses and their hopes forward into the post-war years.
Today Hiroshima Gokoku is among the most beloved shrines in the city for hatsumode, the first prayers of the New Year, and shichi-go-san, the autumn observance for children of three, five, and seven. The shrine continues to serve the people of Hiroshima as a place of quiet remembrance and seasonal renewal.
History
The shrine was first raised in the twelfth month of Meiji 1 (early January 1869 by the Gregorian calendar) at Futabanosato, to mourn seventy-eight men of the Hiroshima domain who fell in the Boshin War, and it was renamed as it grew, becoming Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine in 1939 after a 1934 move to the old western parade ground. On the morning of 6 August 1945 the atomic bomb detonated almost directly above the shrine and burned every building to the ground. A small temporary sanctuary carried its worship forward until, in the autumn of 1956, a new shrine was raised on its present site within the ruins of Hiroshima Castle, built through the gifts of the citizens of Hiroshima.
Significance
The shrine today enshrines the spirits of some ninety-two thousand men and women from Hiroshima who died in service to their country across the modern era, a number that includes roughly ten thousand mobilised students and members of the Women's Volunteer Corps who were killed by the atomic bomb while engaged in wartime labour. Alongside this remembrance, Hiroshima Gokoku is counted among the city's best-loved shrines for hatsumode, the first prayers of the New Year, and for shichi-go-san, the autumn blessing of children.
Architecture
Postwar Shinto shrine architecture, rebuilt 1956 within the grounds of Hiroshima Castle
Visiting
Daily worship
| Shrine office (prayer reception, goshuin, omamori) | 09:00 to 16:30 |
Hours
Hours not listed.
Contact
Engage with Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
Through the four pathways
Seva सेवा — Service
Offer your time and skills here. The following opportunities are open at Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine:
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Sādhana साधना — Practice
Learn the worship and practice associated with Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine:
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Sandhāna सन्धान — Wisdom
Unite with the wisdom of this tradition:
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Sādhya साध्य — Giving
Support this sacred place according to your means:
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All giving flows directly to Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine. Adisthan does not take a commission.
Festivals & Events
- Nov
Shichi-Go-San
15 November 2026 · annual
The autumn rite of thanksgiving for children aged three, five, and seven, one of the shrine's most beloved family observances.
- Jan
Hatsumode
1 January 2027 · annual
The first shrine visit of the New Year; Hiroshima Gokoku is among the most visited shrines in the city for the year's opening prayers.
- May
Manto Mitama Matsuri
28 May 2027 · annual
A lantern festival held over the final Friday through Sunday of May, when around two thousand lanterns are lit for the shrine's enshrined spirits and the grounds fill with taiko drumming, dance, and kagura performance.
Gallery
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