We visited Sanno Shrine during our time in Nagasaki, and it was one of the most quietly powerful places we experienced. The shrine itself is small and peaceful, nestled on a hillside just a short walk from the more well-known Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. But what makes this shrine truly memorable is its deep connection to the events of August 9, 1945.
Sanno Shrine was just 800 meters from the hypocenter of the atomic bomb. Miraculously, parts of it survived—including the now-famous one-legged torii gate, which stands proudly at the entrance. The other side of the gate was blown away by the blast, yet one pillar remained upright. It’s become a powerful symbol of resilience, and seeing it in person was unexpectedly emotional.
Walking around the grounds, there’s a quiet reverence to the place. You can still see other remnants of the bombing, like the shattered camphor trees—which were charred but miraculously regrew. Their trunks are still visibly scarred, yet full of life. There are also memorial markers and bilingual signs that explain the shrine’s story and its survival.
Despite the tragedy associated with the site, the atmosphere is peaceful. It’s not overly crowded or commercialized, which gave us time and space to reflect. The contrast between the destruction that once occurred here and the serene, living shrine that stands today makes the visit incredibly meaningful.
If you’re in Nagasaki, Sanno Shrine is absolutely worth a visit—not just as a historical site, but as a quiet place of remembrance and resilience.
There’s a preschool next door. The children play on the grounds and bring life to the place.
I was accosted by an overly friendly cat who insisted I take a seat and enjoy life.
I have no idea why there are rocks in one of the trees, with a light so you can see them.
you should go here! to observe how japan solve the problem of broken things not by throw them away but make them a sightseeing. apart from that, the shrine have a very nice cat wandering around and waiting for people to pet his stomach
A modest little shrine tucked away in a residential area next ti a daycare/preschool. The story of the two surviving Camphor trees was quite amazing, though there is nothing much else to do in the area, so it may not be worth taking a detour for it, as it is about 20 minutes walk from Urakami Cathedral or Peace Park. Come here if you're seeing the one legged torii gate, otherwise consider if it is worth it or not.
Spectacular that half of the Torii gate survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. It is a must stop if you are interested in the history of the city and want to visit locations that survived the blast. It's free to walk here and the side streets are filled with scenic locations that are part of Nagasaki's unique neighborhood's.
