Tucked-away behind residential buildings, the Takeyama Zuigo Inari Shrine is, in itself, not going to capture anyone’s attention for long. But for visitors passing by, enroute to the Yamadera Jyosan Residence and especially the Zozan Imperial Wartime Tunnels, passing through the torii gates and climbing up to the shrine affords a view over Matsushiro and appreciate of the extent of the tunnels underneath the town.
Said to stretch all the way to the mountains that border the town, the tunnels were an intensive feat of engineering that cost the lives of many. While the shrine itself is unremarkable, it is a suitable place to reflect on what occurred in Matsushiro and further appreciation of the tremendous effort and sacrifice of so many.