Okinawa｜Anryu Hachiman Shrine: A Historic Site Beside a Kindergarten

Anryu Hachiman Shrine, located next to a kindergarten, is the site of the historic Sugar Loaf Hill battlefield. A recent survey in Japan revealed that Niigata Prefecture has the highest number of shrines, with over 4,000, while Okinawa has the fewest, with only 16. This is closely tied to Okinawa's unique history and beliefs, which we won't delve into here. Among the shrines in Okinawa, Anryu Hachiman Shrine stands out as the only Hachiman Shrine among the Ryukyu Eight Shrines. It is relatively small in scale and is situated next to a kindergarten. The shrine's garden even features a slide for children. The shrine is dedicated to Hachiman God, which includes Emperor Ojin, Empress Jingu, and Tamayorihime-no-Mikoto. Historically, Hachiman God has been revered as the god of war and the ancestral deity of the emperor. According to legend, during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, King Sho Toku's fleet found a bell at sea during an expedition. Believing it was a gift from Hachiman God, he built the Hachiman Shrine to honor the deity. Additionally, he established Shinde Temple as a subsidiary temple, where the bell was hung. During World War II, this area became the Sugar Loaf Hill battlefield, the site of a fierce battle involving the U.S. Marine Corps. Anryu Hachiman Shrine was completely destroyed during the war and was only rebuilt afterward. Compared to the grandeur of shrines in other parts of Japan, Anryu Hachiman Shrine is modest and simple. Surrounded by urban high-rises, the shrine is fenced off with wooden barriers and warning signs about venomous snakes, highlighting the preserved natural ecosystem of the hill. 📍Address: 3 Chome-19-14 Asato, Naha, Okinawa 902-0067, Japan 🚗 Accessible by a 10-minute walk from Asato Station on the monorail.