Sanno Shrine
Sanno Shrine
Sanno Shrine is one of the 11 most famous shrines in Nagasaki City. The shrine is located in a quiet neighborhood just outside downtown Nagasaki. If you visit the shrine, you can see the unique one legged torii gate, a remnant of the atomic bomb explosion. During the bombing, one side of this gate was destroyed, yet the other half survived and remains standing today. It is an important piece of the city’s unfortunate history.
At the entrance, there are two very huge camphor trees that act as guardians of the shrine. These trees were burned by the explosion of the atomic bombing, however they have since been revived and now provide shade for many visitors.
Like other Shinto shrines, the shrine also has an area dedicated to prayer and a charity-box. You can put some money in the box and pray for yourself and your family. When you visit, make sure to grab a seal on your way out. If you collect all 11 seals from the 11 famous shrines of Nagasaki, you will be able to exchange them and 500 yen for a lucky charm.