Houtong Shrine Introduction
The Hō-tō Shrine was established in 1934 during the Japanese colonial period, founded by Li Jianxing and four others as part of the "Ruizhan Mining Co., Ltd. Public Service Group." During the Japanese occupation, Hō-tō was the leading coal mine in Taiwan for several consecutive years, playing a crucial role in providing fuel for Taiwan's industrial development, resulting in a population increase. In the late Showa period, during World War II, the Japanese government promoted assimilation policies, leading to the establishment of the Hō-tō Shrine as part of the Japaneseization movement. Walking along the "Hō-tō 100 Steps" pathway to the shrine, visitors experience a strong sense of Japanese culture, creating an illusion of a time swap to Japan. The word "奉獻" (dedication) is clearly visible on the torii, reflecting the historical weight of the site.
