Taoyuan Shinto Shrine 桃園神社

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Taoyuan Shinto Shrine (also known as the Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine, or Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine and Cultural Park 桃園忠烈暨神社文化園區) is a former Japanese Shinto Shrine that has recently been renovated and refurbished in Taoyuan. It is said to be the best-kept Shinto Shrine outside of Japan. It is like getting a taste of Japan without having to leave the country.  

Brief Historical Background:
The Taoyuan Shinto Shrine was built on Hutou Mountain in 1938 during the Japanese era in Taiwan. The purpose of the shrine was to help promote the Shinto Religion within the Japanese Empire. The Shrine is mainly made from unpainted and unvarnished cypress and cedar wood. 
The shrine is comprised of three main sections: the main stairway at the base of the hill leads to the first section with green areas, stone lanterns, and a Torii gate. 
The second section includes the main entrance and surrounding walls. The third section includes the main worship hall which was used for Shinto worship but is now used to remember ROC military veterans. 
Taiwan was once home to hundreds of Shinto Shrines during the Japanese era. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, many of these shrines were either destroyed or converted into Martyr's Shrines, so it is rare for a Shinto Shrine such as this one to still stand so complete and undefiled. 
After the ROC took control of Taiwan, it was renamed the Taoyuan Martyr's Shrine in 1950. 
In the 1907's after the ROC and Japan broke off official relations, plans were made to remove monuments of Japan's past colonial rule. Like many other former Shinto Shrines in Taiwan, plans were made for the Taoyuan Martyr's Shrine to be converted into a modern Chinese-style building. However, many local prominent figures advocated for the preservation of the historical wood building, and eventually, the Taoyuan City Government agreed. 
In 1986, a restoration project began which was completed in 1987. Further improvements were made in 1995.
The area is very popular, especially on weekends and holidays. Most of the visitors are local Taiwanese, but the site also attracts many Japanese tourists. ​

For an in-depth look at the history of the site, check out this blog by Josh Ellis. I highly recommend checking out his two-part blog on the shrine before you try to write a blog or give a tour of the area so you don't sound like a doofus. 
​
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM

Price:
Free

Where to stay:
Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).  
We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).  
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Activities in Taoyuan:
Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

How to get there:
By Car: From central Taoyuan City, take Chenggong Road north up toward Hutou Mountain. The Shinto Shrine is on the side of the road before it goes up the mountain. There is a small paid parking lot next to the temple. If the parking lot is full, there is parking on the side of the road on Chenggong Road or at the hospital nearby. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search  Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. 
By Scooter: From central Taoyuan City, take Chenggong Road north up toward Hutou Mountain. The Shinto Shrine is on the side of the road before it goes up the mountain. There is a small paid parking lot next to the temple. If the parking lot is full, there is parking on the side of the road on Chenggong Road. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options.
By Bus: From Taoyuan TRA Station, you can take bus 213 to Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine bus station. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 
​
Map:
Check out the map below:

Our Journey: 

Ever since I first heard about the pristinely intact Shinto Shrine in Taoyuan, I wanted to go see it. Unfortunately, I found out about it after my visit to Taoyuan Confucius Temple; I had no idea that it was just next door. I was also surprised to see the crowds of people here on the weekend (I visited on a Saturday). It really is like visiting Japan without leaving Taiwan. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the residents of Taoyuan for preserving this shrine in its current state.

As I travelled along the foothills around Hutou Mountain, I saw a few other temples, such as Hongshan Temple pictued above (桃園宏善寺) which is a Budhist temple. There are lots of temples up on the hills around Hutou Mountain that you can go explore. You can also check out Hutou Park which has great views of the area. 

Taoyuan Confucius Temple 桃園孔子廟

When I first came to Hutou Mountain, I visited Taoyuan Confucius Temple which is near the Shinto Shrine. Taoyuan Confucius Temple is Taiwan's newest Confucius Temple, built in 1989. Besides being a ceremonial and worship area for local students and teachers, it also has beautiful gardens and great views of Taoyuan City. There is also a large children's park right next to it. It is a great place to relax if you are in Taoyuan...(read more)​

Just in case you miss the turnoff to the Shinto Shrine, there are lots of brown signs painting the way. 

These are the remaining steps to the Shinto Shrine. The originally walkway used to extend beyond this road down to the Nankan River. 

"This is a route often taken by worshippers. A picture of Minowa Hachi-man Shrine was placed at the starting point of the Omotesando Hills. A graveled path leads up the stairs to the shrine temple in order to remove the dirt and mud underneath the feet to keep the body clean for worshipping."

There is also a stone here at the entrance with the words "Taoyuan County Martyrs' Shrine 桃園縣忠烈祠"

When I visited, there were lots of people and lots of fancy colorful carp fish. The reason for this is that they were celebrating the annual "Carp Streamer Festival." In Japan, the most iconic symbol of Boys' Day, celebrated on May 5th, is the carp streamer (koinobori). These streamers depict the story of a carp swimming upstream, overcoming obstacles, and eventually leaping over the Dragon Gate to become a dragon. This tale symbolizes bravery, strength, and growth, qualities that are celebrated in boys during this festival.

I happened to visit the Shinto Shrine at the right time. I'm sure they will have a similar festival again next May. 

At the front of the stairs here you can see a map of the shrine. 

More colorful carp fish streamers.

Also as part of the carp fish festival, there was a holiday flea market selling all kinds of treats and trinkets.

Here is a man that was selling bread.

Another woman was selling trinkets.

Another woman was selling art and cards.

Another man here was selling more trinkets.

This woman was selling bracelets. 

The flea market took up the entire grassy area on the first level. 

Here you can see a view of the giant carp with the Shinto Shrine behind.

The concrete Torii gate here was built after a renovation in the 1980s. Originally there were five Torii gates which have all been destroyed.

The front gate here also tells you the opening times which are ​Tuesday to Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM.

There is also a very useful guide map on the second level. 

This is the purification fountain (手水舍) to purify worshippers before entering the shrine. It involves using a ladle to wash both hands and the mouth before entering. It is still usable for visitors today.

On the steps up to the third level, there were many old ladies waiting to take selfies and blocking the way. Also you will notice two stone lions on either side which were also added in the 1980s. 

Here at the entrance to the main shrine, I was told that photo taking was not allowed inside. For a better look of the inside, you can check out Josh Ellis' blog here or go there in person and see. I am guessing they really police the people here on holidays.  

View looking down from the main shrine. You will notice a bronze horse here which is also a must-have for Shinto shrines, acting as a steed for the gods of the shrine. 

To the east you will find a wooden building that looks old but actually it is just a bathroom that was built in the 1980s. 

To the west on the second level you will see the administration office which has now been converted into a visitor's center. This building acted as an office building for the management of the shrine.

There are coffee tables and rest areas behind the administration building. 

There are also two large stone lanterns nearby.

Behind the administrative building was kind of a fun cosplay area where you can write on these wooden sticks and dress up in Japanese clothing. 

A girl cosplaying next to one of the old office buildings. 

Another office building here has been converted into a coffee shop.

More carp fish looking down the main stairs.

There is a small parking lot very close to the shrine that can fill up quickly.

They also made the parking lot payment kiosk to look like traditional Japanese woodwork too.

You can see more photos of the area above. 

​There are many other activities available in Taoyuan such as Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Batting Cages, Glamping, Go Karting, peach and fruit picking, and more on Klook here, or KKday here. 

Check out our full guide to Taoyuan here.

You can also check out our full guide to Taiwan here. ​

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