Sanko-jinja Shrine

In short

A shrine situated on Sanadayama, a hill to the southeast of Osaka Castle, formerly called Himeyama-jinja Shrine. In 1908 (Meiji 41), it changed its name to Sanko-jinja Shrine, and it enshrines three gods: Amaterasu Omikami, Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, and Susanoo no Mikoto. Long known as a god offering protection against palsy, it is a shrine with ties to Sanada Yukimura (Nobushige), on a site considered to have been part of the Sanada-maru fortification during the Siege of Osaka.

• ​Sanada's Secret Tunnel​​: Beneath the main shrine building lie the remains of what legend says was an underground escape route that Yukimura dug from Osaka Castle to this spot. There is also a theory that they are the remnants of a trench dug by the army of Maeda Toshitsune, who attacked the Sanada-maru
• ​Statue of Sanada Yukimura​​: Beside the secret tunnel, a bronze statue of Yukimura holding his commander's baton high to direct his troops in battle was erected on May 5, 1987 (Showa 62)
• ​Single-Pillared Torii Gate​​: The pillar of the Otorii (grand gate) of which only one pillar remained after the fires of war. It was preserved after the war as a prayer for peace so that war would never be repeated

History and Highlights

​Sanko-jinja Shrine​ is a shrine situated on Sanadayama, a hill to the southeast of Osaka Castle. In ancient times, it was called Himeyama-jinja Shrine. It is traditionally said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Hanzei. In 1908 (Meiji 41), it merged with Sanko-gu, an auxiliary shrine on its grounds whose deity had been divided and transferred from Sanko-gu in Rikuzen Province, and changed its name to Sanko-jinja Shrine. The enshrined deities are the three gods Amaterasu Omikami, Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, and Susanoo no Mikoto.

From long ago, it has been known as a god offering protection against palsy (apoplexy), and a grand prayer festival for protection against palsy is held every year for seven days starting on June 1. The auxiliary shrine dedicated to Takenouchi no Sukune is venerated as Jurojin, one of the Osaka Seven Lucky Gods. The shrine pavilions were completely destroyed by an air raid on June 1, 1945 (Showa 20), but through the efforts of parishioners and devotees after the war, they were restored to their current appearance.

This site is considered to have been part of the Sanada-maru fortification during the Siege of Osaka, and the shrine is known for its ties to Sanada Yukimura (Nobushige).

Sights and Experiences

• ​Sanada's Secret Tunnel​​: Legend has it that during the Siege of Osaka, Sanada Yukimura built a fort here and excavated an underground escape route leading all the way from Osaka Castle. Its remains lie beneath the main shrine building, and the entrance is normally closed with an iron gate. There is also a theory that it was not an escape tunnel from Osaka Castle, but rather the remnants of a trench dug by the army of Maeda Toshitsune, who attacked the Sanada-maru.
• ​Statue of Sanada Yukimura​​: Beside the secret tunnel stands a bronze statue of Yukimura holding his commander's baton high to direct his troops in battle, erected on May 5, 1987 (Showa 62). The pedestal incorporates the "Sanada-ishi" stone, transported from Chokoku-ji Temple, the family temple of the Sanada clan located in Ueda, Shinshu.
• ​Single-Pillared Torii Gate​​: This is the remaining single pillar of the Otorii (grand gate) after being damaged by war fires. It was preserved after the war as a prayer for peace so that war would never be repeated.

Tips for Visitors

The shrine is located inside Saishoyama Park. It is about a 5-minute walk from Tamatsukuri Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line, and about a 2-minute walk from Tamatsukuri Station on the Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line. The shrine grounds are famous for cherry blossoms and are bustling with hanami visitors in early April. The Sanada Festival is held on the first Sunday of November. It is also recommended to retrace the battlefields of the Siege of Osaka together with Osaka Castle, located about 1.6 km to the north.