What other travelers are saying about Susaki Shrine, Nagoya
A quaint, quiet, local shrine that is a retreat from the busy city center. The 12 zodiac animals are on display, along with a special mini torii gate that children (and adults) crawl through the center.
As a local neighborhood shrine, they host different festivals for the community. Such a great way to witness and experience the cultural on a more personal and intimate level.
Susaki Shrine is located on a promontory extending into the Horikawa River, giving it a waterside position that appears to float during high tide. The shrine specifically protects seafarers and merchants, reflecting Nagoya's maritime history. It is smaller and less crowded than major tourist shrines like Atsuta Jingu, maintaining a local neighborhood character.
15 to 20 minutes is sufficient to see the main hall, torii gate, and grounds. Visitors wanting to purchase amulets, write ema wishes, or take photographs should allow 30 minutes.
No, admission is free. Optional purchases like amulets, fortunes, ema plaques, and shrine stamps cost between 300 and 1,000 yen.
Early April for cherry blossoms along the river, or January 1-3 for New Year celebrations. Weekday mornings have fewer visitors. The shrine is open year-round, though the office for purchasing items operates during daytime hours only.
The shrine has minimal facilities due to its compact size. Public restrooms are not available on the grounds. Parking is extremely limited, with no dedicated shrine parking lot. Visitors should use nearby coin parking or public transportation. The closest convenience stores and public facilities are a short walk away in the surrounding neighborhood.
I loved this shrine. The caretakers here were so nice. It was really well cared for and was nice to explore. I loved crawling through the small shrine. It was fun. I also got the shrine stamp for my shrine book.
January 21, 2026
This shrine is located in Sakae 1-chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya.
It is a former village shrine. It was founded in 800 AD, but is not listed in the Engishikisha (Engishiki Shrine). Although it is located in the heart of Nagoya, at the time of its founding, it was built on Susaki, as its name suggests, bordering the sea.
As can be seen from the sign in the shrine grounds, this area was a strategic location, home to the remains of a port, castle, and the Gofunakata residence, and was also a base for water transportation.
The west and south of the shrine grounds are low-lying, and it is assumed that the sea once stretched out before it. The grounds are on a slight elevation, with significant undulations. The lush forest creates a spacious space that defies the urban feel. With many sights to see, this shrine attracts many visitors.
