瑞穗白川神社

Shirakawa Shinto Shrine

March 30th, 2024

Last updated June 18th, 2026

Originally established in February 1933 as Baiko-sha (拔子社) at the foot of Langtoushan (狼頭山), just north of present-day Fuyuan Elementary School in Ruisui, Hualien. It was renamed Shirakawa-jinja (白川神社) in 1937 under a the colonial era naming reforms of the early Kōminka movement (皇民化運動). In the post-war period the site reverted to private ownership, and a series of strong typhoons in the 1950s toppled the towering red-cypress torii. Years of neglect left the site little more than ruins, and nowadays only traces remain of the original shrine.

Stone Lantern at Shirakawa Shinto Shrine (瑞穗白川神社) — A stone lantern donated by Yokogawa Chōta. The first character of his name is faintly visible on the right side of the stand.

The most significant remaining relic is a stone lantern donated by Yokogawa Chōta (橫川長太), a Japanese tobacco farmer also known for reconstructing the Bazai Village Irrigation Canal (拔子庄圳). It can be seen near the former entrance to the shrine, partly submerged by debris flow. The visiting path, long stone stairs leading up the hillside, survives in decent condition, albeit heavily overgrown. Several stone lantern bases can be found on either side of the path, lost in the undergrowth.

Overgrown Steps at Shirakawa Shinto Shrine (瑞穗白川神社) — The overgrown visiting path leading up the hillside. If you look closely you can see the second flight of stairs in the background.

Stone Lantern Bases at Shirakawa Shinto Shrine (瑞穗白川神社) — At least three stone lantern bases obscured by the overgrowth next to the path.

Broken Remains of Shirakawa Shinto Shrine (瑞穗白川神社) — Another broken piece of a stone lantern along the path.

The Long Path at Shirakawa Shinto Shrine (瑞穗白川神社) — Although the path isn’t maintained it is in surprisingly good condition.

The main hall was dismantled in the post-war era and replaced by a family tomb. This tomb was later emptied out, its remains relocated to a new site, after the family reportedly experienced a series of misfortunes. No trace remains of the sumo court reportedly located near the entrance to the shrine.

An Abandoned Tomb at the Former Shirakawa Shinto Shrine (瑞穗白川神社) — The family tomb that replaced the main hall.

A Closer Look at the Tomb at Shirakawa Shinto Shrine (瑞穗白川神社) — According to sources cited in this entry the family experience misfortune after occupying this tomb here, which is why the inscriptions have been defaced and the interior rudely bricked up.

The View From Shirakawa Shinto Shrine (瑞穗白川神社) — The view looking east from the former site of the shrine. The village can be seen in the distance with the Coastal Mountain Range (海岸山脈) beyond.

One additional relic exists, but it is no longer found on site. A single komainu (狛犬), found by a local archaeologist, spent years in the artifact museum at Dafu Elementary School before the school’s closure returned it to Fuyuan; it now stands at the Bazai Village Folk Culture Center (拔仔庄常民文化館) beside Fuyuan Station.