Shinto shrine
Minatogawa Jinja
湊川神社（みなとがわじんじゃ）
Chūō Ward, Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture
A shrine in central Kobe whose principal kami is Kusunoki Masashige, a warrior of the Nanboku-chō period. Affectionately called "Nankō-san", it also enshrines his son Masatsura and members of his clan as accompanying kami.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Enshrined kami: Kusunoki Masashige (accompanying kami: Kusunoki Masatsura and other members of the clan who died loyally at the Battle of Minatogawa)
History and things to know
According to the official guide, Masashige took his own life at this place in the Battle of Minatogawa in Engen 1 (1336); his grave mound was protected by local people, and in the Edo period Tokugawa Mitsukuni erected a grave monument. At the end of the Edo period many activists came to pay their respects, and following an instruction from Emperor Meiji in Meiji 1, the shrine was founded in Meiji 5 (1872). The place of his death and the grave monument are national Historic Sites, and the buildings, rebuilt after the war, contain ceiling paintings.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Before you visit
Opening hours, access, areas open to visitors, and events can change. Please check the latest guidance from the shrine or temple itself before you go.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 湊川神社「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
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