Konpira shrine at Endoji shopping street

13/10/2025

When visiting temples or shrines in Japan, please remember that these are sacred places. Any behavior that shows disrespect — such as touching sacred objects, entering restricted areas, or making noise — can be seen as both culturally offensive and legally punishable under Japanese law (Article 188 of the Penal Code).

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Small shrine loved by locals

Endoji Shopping Street is a must-visit strolling spot when you come to Nagoya. It has the nostalgic feel of a local shopping street that grew and revived after World War II. As you walk through this shopping street, you’ll likely notice a small shrine. It might remind you of the kind of small shrine you’ve seen in anime.

It’s called Konpira Shrine. I believe the main shrine is in Kagawa Prefecture. This shrine is dedicated to Ōkuninushi, a legendary deity, and there are branches all over Japan. It was relocated to this spot in 1859, so it’s likely been cherished by the local people for a long time.

There’s also an explanation in English. I learned about other deities besides Okuninushi for the first time. These are legendary figures that many Japanese people might not be familiar with.

The purifying water was left standing still, and there was a bottle of alcohol sanitizer placed there. It seems that purification is now done using the alcohol sanitizer instead.

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I’ve compiled a list of Nagoya’s places that I’ve personally visited. Is Nagoya boring? Not at all! While it has developed as an industrial city, it also hides interesting places full of history and culture. Use this guide to explore Nagoya and discover its hidden gems.