If you look to your left, you’ll see the striking A-frame of the Izumo Taishakyo Mission - it’s not every day you stumble upon a Japanese Shinto shrine right here in downtown Honolulu. The shape itself, inspired by Japan’s ancient Izumo-taisha shrine, kind of looks as if a classic pagoda decided to take a holiday in Hawaii and found it too nice to ever leave.
Built in the 1920s, this place has seen just about everything. It first opened in 1906 through the work of Rev. Katsuyoshi Miyao, serving Hawaii’s growing Japanese community. By the 1940s, Izumo Taishakyo had branches all across the islands. But in December 1941... well, everything changed. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the shrine was shut down, and the city even seized the property. The priest and his family were sent to the mainland, like so many other Japanese Americans during the war. Only decades of legal wrangling and some serious local perseverance brought it back into community hands in the early 1960s.
Take a moment to spot the replica of the Hiroshima Peace Bell - a sobering reminder of what peace really means, especially with the annual commemoration for Hiroshima’s bombing held right here. The restoration after the return in 1968 wasn’t cheap - $170,000, which is about $1.5 million today. That entire amount was raised by everyday folks in Hawaii. That’s some real community spirit.
Soak in the crisp lines, the bright colors, and think on how this little oasis manages to celebrate its traditions while weathering the storms of history. When you’re ready to move on, Foster Botanical Garden is just 6 minutes away heading southeast.
