Minatogawa Shrine is located to the north of Kobe Station. This Shrine deifies KUSUNOKI Masashige, who was a general in the 14th century and supported Emperor GODAIGO at that time.
Minatogawa Shrine was built in 1872. Actually, many shrines in Japan have a couple of hundred years of history. Some shrines even have a thousand years of history. So, this shrine is rather new.

The Front Gate of Minatogawa Shrine, shown in the top picture, is very gorgeous. Maybe the reason for this gorgeous gate is because the Minatogawa Shrine was built according to the wish of Emperor Meiji.

Before crossing the Front Gate, you can see another gate. This the gate for the tomb of KUSUNOKI Masashige.

The tomb of KUSUNOKI Masashige was built in 1692 by TOKUGAWA Mitsukuni. TOKUGAWA Mitsukuni was a vice-shogun. TOKUGAWA Mitsukuni compiled the "History of Greater Japan", and he respected KUSUNOKI Masashige because of his loyalty to the Emperor.

Based on this fact, the statue of TOKUGAWA Mitsukuni was just beside the tomb of KUSUNOKI Masashige.

After passing the Front Gate, there is a "Torii", Guard Frame. Then, you will find the Main Hall. The Main Hall was rebuilt in 1952 after the World War II.

Beside the Main Hall, there is the place where KUSUNOKI Masashige died.

At the end of the Kamakura Age, KUSUNOKI Masashige and ASHIKAGA-NO Takauji both supported Emperor GODAIGO. Soon after the fall of the Kamakura Bakufu, ASHIKAGA-NO Takauji left to support the Emperor and the battle between KUSUNOKI Masashige and ASHIKAGA-NO Takauji started.

Once ASHIKAGA-NO Takauji escaped to Kyushu, but finally KUSUNOKI Masashige was beaten by ASHIKAGA-NO Takauji and died at this place on May 25th, 1336.

After this victory, ASHIKAGA-NO Takauji opened Muromachi Bakufu.
This place is a part of history in Japan.

How to get there
Minatogawa Shrine is located to the north of Kobe Station. It is just a two minute walk from the station.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Former Foreign Settlement
"Meriken Hatoba" Harbor
Kitano Area