Chiayi Shinto Shrine

^{Kagi Jinja}

The Chiayi Shrine was established in 1915 during the Japanese colonial period and was one of Chiayi’s most significant religious structures at the time. It was dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa.
After the war, most of the shrine’s main structures were dismantled. Today, only remnants such as stone lanterns, foundation bases, and the stairway of the approach remain. Located within Chiayi Park, these remains serve as valuable witnesses to the city’s historical past.

Adjacent to the Chiayi Shrine ruins is “Showa 18 J18,” formerly known as the Chiayi City Historical Relics Museum. Originally built in 1943 (Showa 18), the building served as the shrine’s purification hall and administrative office during the Japanese colonial period.
The purification hall (saikan) was used by Shinto priests to cleanse and prepare themselves before conducting rituals, while the administrative office (shamusho) handled the shrine’s day-to-day operations.
The building was designated as a Chiayi City historic site in 1998 and was opened to the public in 2001 as the Historical Relics Museum, showcasing the cultural and historical heritage of Chiayi.

In 2019, Showa 18 J18 was transformed into a multi-functional cultural space that combines heritage exhibitions, a café with light refreshments, and kimono experiences. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture amid the scent of hinoki wood, while gaining a deeper appreciation of Chiayi’s history and culture.