Miyagi Gokoku Shrine

Miyagiken Gokoku Shrine was established in 1904 on the site of the former main enclosure of Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle), by the will of Emperor Meiji. The shrine honours the spirits of over 56,000 individuals from Miyagi Prefecture and surrounding areas who gave their lives in service to the nation. 

Originally founded as a Shōkonsha (a shrine for the spirits of the war dead), it was designated a Gokoku Shrine - a shrine protecting the nation - by the Minister of Home Affairs in 1939. The shrine buildings were destroyed in the 1945 Sendai air raid but were later rebuilt, overcoming the postwar difficulties.

Today, the shrine continues to serve as a sacred site of remembrance for the fallen, not only from Miyagi but also from parts of Fukushima, Niigata, and Yamagata Prefectures - areas formerly under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Army’s 2nd Division. It holds Special Status under the Association of Shinto Shrines.

The Main Hall (Honden) of the shrine has exceptional historical and spiritual significance. It was formerly the main sanctuary of Kazenomiyā, one of the outer shrines of Ise Grand Shrine. After the 1953 ritual reconstruction at Ise, this sacred building was transferred to Miyagiken Gokoku Shrine in 1955 - marking the first such transfer to the Tōhoku region. Built in the Yuitsu-Shinmei-zukuri architectural style, the structure was relocated as-is, with only the original thatched roof replaced by copper plating. It remains one of the most culturally prized buildings in both Sendai and Miyagi.

In 2004, the shrine commemorated its 100th anniversary with the opening of the Eirei Kenshōkan (Hall of Reverence for the Spirits of the Fallen). This memorial museum displays portraits, farewell letters, and personal items of the fallen, offering insight into their lives and sacrifices. The exhibits trace Japan’s modern military history - from the Boshin War to postwar Asia - preserving the memory of the fallen and passing their legacy on to future generations.