Jinguashi Shrine (Gold Shrine) Introduction
Jinguashi Shrine was established on March 2, 1898, during the Meiji era (31st year). At that time, the mining operator Tanaka Nagahira (Tanaka Group) recognized that as the Jinguashi mining business began, bandits frequently roamed the area, causing unrest among the workers. To stabilize their spirits, a shrine was constructed at the eastern end of Jinguashi Mountain. On April 8, 1936, the Taiwan Mining Co. invested in the renovation of the shrine to make Jinguashi Shrine a center of faith for miners and the only recreational area in the mining district. After the renovation, the shrine was completed on July 15, 1937. The shrine primarily worships three deities: Ōkuninushi, Kanayama-hiko, and Sarutahiko. During the Japanese rule, a grand mountain god festival was held every summer on July 15. The original shrine included the main hall, worship hall, purification pavilion, and a pathway leading up with three torii gates, five flagpoles, and a bronze cow at the entrance. Unfortunately, the shrine’s structures were damaged after the war, and now only two torii gates, several stone lanterns, and the foundations and pillars of the shrine remain. Visitors can also enjoy the beauty of Datou Meiren Mountain (Keelung Mountain) and Teapot Mountain from this site, and by continuing along the shrine’s path, they can reach the historical site of the Four Mines and the geological park.
