Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine

Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine was founded in 1868, when 78 Hiroshima feudal lords who died in the Boshin War were enshrined at Mizukusa Reisha Shrine in Futaba Village. In 1934, it was moved to the west side of the old Hiroshima Municipal Baseball Stadium, but was later destroyed by the atomic bomb and rebuilt in 1956 at its current site on the site of Hiroshima Castle. In 1993, the main hall and worship hall were rebuilt as part of a project to commemorate the enthronement of the Emperor, and in June 2009, all other facilities were renovated and reborn as part of a project to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the shrine's founding. The shrine is one of the most popular shrines in the Chugoku region, with 600,000 visitors on the first three days of the New Year. It is also known for being visited by the local professional baseball team, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, every year to pray for victory.