Murakami Shrine in Nagoya – Hidden Shinto Spot with Historic Trees and Local Culture

16/10/2025

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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Huge camphor tree

Nagoya’s Minami Ward isn’t really a tourist destination. If anything, Kasadera Kannon is one of the few notable spots, but most of the area is residential. Still, walking around can be enjoyable. On this day, as I was strolling along, I suddenly saw a huge tree in front of me—that was Murakami Shrine.

It’s a small shrine, but for some reason, there’s an explanation written in English. According to the sign, the camphor tree is over 1,000 years old. Being part of a shrine, the area is well maintained and has a sacred atmosphere. This tree has likely been protected by the local community for over a millennium. I hope it will continue to be carefully protected for the next 1,000 years as well.

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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.