History of Hokoku Shrine
Foundation on Nakanoshima
The history of Hokoku Shrine dates back to 1868 (Meiji 1). In April of that year, by order of Emperor Meiji, the establishment of a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi was instructed by the Osaka court, the predecessor of the present-day Osaka Prefectural Government.
At the time, however, Osaka Castle was under the control of the Ministry of War, making it impossible to establish the shrine within the castle grounds. Instead, the shrine was established on Nakanoshima in Kita Ward, near the present location of Osaka City Central Public Hall.
The shrine buildings were completed in 1879 (Meiji 12), followed by a ceremony marking the transfer of the sacred object to the new sanctuary.
Hokoku Shrine originally served as the Osaka branch shrine of Kyoto’s Toyokuni Shrine. In 1921 (Taisho 10), it became independent and was elevated to the status of a Prefectural Shrine. At that time, the reading “Hokoku” was adopted to distinguish the shrine from Kyoto’s “Toyokuni” Shrine.
Relocation to Osaka Castle
After Osaka City Hall was relocated to a site adjacent to the shrine in 1921, plans to move the shrine were considered from around 1935 because of proposed expansions to the city hall.
The relocation plan was temporarily suspended because of the effects of the Pacific War. After the war, Osaka City again requested that the shrine be moved. In 1956 (Showa 31), the relocation to the second bailey of Osaka Castle was formally decided.
In January 1961 (Showa 36), Hokoku Shrine was moved to its present location inside Osaka Castle. The former shrine buildings were relocated to Hattori Sumiyoshi Shrine in Toyonaka City.
Reconstruction of the Hideyoshi Statue
On April 17, 2007, a statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi was recreated by sculptor Shinya Nakamura.
The original statue had been lost in 1943 when it was surrendered for metal collection during the wartime metal shortage. The reconstruction restored the statue approximately 64 years after the original was lost.
The Deities of Hokoku Shrine
Hokoku Shrine enshrines the following three principal deities:
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyori
Toyotomi Hidenaga
Buildings and Features of the Shrine Grounds
Main Shrine Facilities
Main Torii Gate: The symbolic entrance to Hokoku Shrine.
Worship Hall: The central building where visitors offer prayers.
Main Sanctuary: The sacred building where the deities are enshrined.
Heiden: The offering hall used for Shinto rituals.
Special Shrines and Garden
Shiratama Shrine: A shrine dedicated to Ukanomitama-no-Kami. It was formerly known as Shiratama Inari Shrine.
Wakae Shrine: A shrine dedicated to Ukanomitama-no-Kami that was relocated from the grounds of the former Yodoya residence.
Tanabata Shrine: A shrine dedicated to Wakahirume-no-Mikoto and Ukanomitama-no-Kami.
Shuseki Garden: A dry landscape garden created by renowned Japanese garden designer Mirei Shigemori in 1972. Its name combines the “Hide” character from Hideyoshi with “Ishi,” meaning stone, reflecting its design as a stone garden.
Cultural Properties
Hokoku Shrine is associated with several historically significant cultural assets.
Special Historic Site
The Site of Osaka Castle is designated as a National Special Historic Site. The designated area is associated with Osaka City, the national government, and Hokoku Shrine.
Important Works of Art
The shrine preserves important works of art, including the colored portrait of Toyotomi Hideyoshi on paper and a Shingo inscription written by Toyotomi Hideyori.
Major Shrine Festival
Taiko Festival
The Taiko Festival is held every year on August 18, the anniversary of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s death.
The festival commemorates Hideyoshi and honors his historical legacy through special Shinto ceremonies. Hideyoshi died on August 18, 1598 (Keicho 3), according to the traditional lunar calendar.
Different Written Forms of the Shrine Name
The name of Hokoku Shrine appears in several written forms depending on the characters used.
豊国神社: The simplified-character form commonly used by Osaka City.
豐國神社: A historical form using traditional characters.
豊國神社: A mixed modern and traditional form used by the shrine itself.
Access to Hokoku Shrine
Hokoku Shrine is conveniently located within the Osaka Castle area and can be reached by several forms of public transportation.
JR Osaka Loop Line
Morinomiya Station is within walking distance of the shrine.
Osaka Metro
The nearest stations include Morinomiya Station on the Chuo Line and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line, Tanimachi 4-chome Station on the Chuo and Tanimachi Lines, and Osaka Business Park Station on the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.
Osaka City Bus
Baba-cho and Otemae bus stops are convenient for reaching the shrine.
Osaka Castle Road Train
Visitors can get off at the Sakuramon-mae stop, which is located close to the shrine.
A Shrine Connected to the Toyotomi Legacy
Hokoku Shrine offers visitors an opportunity to explore the history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Toyotomi family while visiting the historic grounds of Osaka Castle.
Its relocation from Nakanoshima to Osaka Castle, the reconstruction of Hideyoshi’s statue, and the shrine’s surviving traditions reflect its long and complex history.
Located within one of Osaka’s best-known historic sites, Hokoku Shrine provides a chance to combine a visit to Osaka Castle with an introduction to the people, events, and religious traditions connected with the Toyotomi era.