Minatogawa Shrine, Shinto shrine in Chūō-ku, Japan
Minatogawa is a shrine in Chūō-ku that spreads over grounds with stone lanterns and a stone lion-dog lining the path to the assembly building. The grounds also hold a museum where objects from earlier times are displayed.
The shrine was founded in 1872 by imperial order and recalls a 14th-century battle that took place in this area. Its creation falls within a period of political upheaval and social reorganization across the country.
The name Minatogawa connects to the memory of a samurai whose reputation remains strong in the region and who receives special devotion here. Visitors today still see weapons and handwritten scrolls that tell of this era and are carefully kept in the museum.
The grounds lie just minutes from Kobe Station and are easy to reach on foot. The museum closes on Thursdays, otherwise opening in the morning and remaining accessible until late afternoon.
The collection holds a bellyband that once belonged to a warrior and as a personal item creates a rare connection to the person. Such textiles seldom survive the centuries and offer a window into the clothing of that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
