海山神社殘蹟

Why was this Shinto shrine built facing an unusual direction? We’re standing here at the 海山神社遺跡, the remnants of the once-grand Haishan Shrine. You see, this shrine, dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, wasn’t placed here haphazardly. The placement of Shinto shrines often holds a deeper meaning. The Haishan Shrine, built in 1938, was intentionally positioned facing south. This was a strategic decision, meant to provide spiritual protection to the Zhonghe and Banqiao areas to the north. Sadly, like many structures from that era, the Haishan Shrine fell into disrepair after World War II and was eventually demolished. Today, only fragments of its foundation remain, whispering tales of a time when this site bustled with rituals and ceremonies. The shrine’s memory lives on, though, recognized as a historical site by the city of New Taipei.