Jinguashi Shrine (Gold Mine Shrine) Introduction
Jinguashi Shrine was established on March 2, 1898, during the Meiji period (31st year). It was built by the mining operator Tanaka Chōbei (Tanaka Group) in response to the frequent occurrence of bandit activity when the Jinguashi mining business began, which caused unrest among its workers. To stabilize their minds, a shrine was constructed at the eastern end of Jinguashi Mountain. On April 8, 1936, the Taiwan Mining Company invested in the reconstruction of the shrine to make Jinguashi Shrine a center of faith for mining workers and the only park in the mining area, planting ornamental plants and setting up resting places. The renovated shrine was completed on July 15, 1937. Jinguashi Shrine enshrines three deities: Ōkuninushi, Kanayama-hiko, and Sarutahiko. During the Japanese colonial period, a grand mountain god festival was held every summer on July 15. The original construction of the shrine included the main hall, worship hall, purification fountain, and a stone pathway leading up to the shrine with three torii gates, five flagpoles, and a bronze cow at the entrance. Unfortunately, the shrine was damaged after the war, and today only two torii gates, several stone lanterns, and the foundation and beams of the shrine remain. Visitors can also enjoy the views of Mount Dadu (Keelung Mountain) and Teapot Mountain from here, and by following the shrine trail, they can reach the historical site of the four mines and the geological park.
