By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported
In Hsinchu, there is a striking red torii gate and a pathway built along the slope. This is the entrance and approach to the "Jūhachi-ji Shrine" from the Japanese colonial period. "Jūhachi-ji" is the former name of Wufeng Township, a transliteration from the Atayal language Spazy, referring to five mountain peaks as well as a place of worship.
The Jūhachi-ji Trail is somewhat overgrown with wild grass, rarely visited by people, and the tranquil environment bathed in gentle sunlight gives off a mystical aura as if it were the entrance to a divine realm. (Photo / IG: chien_lan)
The Jūhachi-ji Shrine was constructed in 1927, primarily enshrining Amaterasu, Emperor Meiji, and Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa. Due to wartime chaos and subsequent destruction, the original shrine buildings such as the shrine hall and stone lanterns, which were located behind Wufeng Elementary School, no longer exist. Only the torii gate and remnants of the approach remain. Walking up the steps along the path, there is a platform on the right side that was originally used for ritual purification by washing hands before worship. The path has over 300 steps leading up to the playground of Wufeng Elementary School.
The name of Wufeng Township is generally believed to originate from Wuzhi Mountain. (Photography / Tseng Chin-fa)
Wufeng Township is home to high mountains over 3,000 meters tall, populated mainly by the Atayal and Saisiyat tribes, along with a small number of Hakka people and post-war immigrants. The township includes the former residences of Zhang Xueliang and Sanmao. Daku Village is the liveliest settlement in the entire township. Aside from the ruins of the Jūhachi-ji Shrine, it also hosts the annual...2small Saisiyat Pas-ta'ai (Ritual of the Short People) festival,10and large Saisiyat Pas-ta'ai festival once every few years, along with leisure farms such as the cherry blossom destination Cherry Forest and Mountain Homes.
Also located in Daku Village, Wufeng Township, the Mountain Homes Forest Farm is not only a cherry blossom viewing spot but also offers stunning views such as sunrises, sea of clouds, and the Milky Way. (Photo / IG: vivian06041)
Due to years of neglect, the Jūhachi-ji torii gate has deteriorated. Wufeng Township applied for a renovation plan aiming to improve the shrine landscape. However, following the Tainan Comfort Women Memorial incident, some argue that the torii gate represents Japanese ideology and should not be beautified with public funds but rather demolished. Nonetheless, these structures have been listed as assets of the township office. Regarding the shared historical facts and differing opinions, careful negotiations are underway to find the most appropriate resolution.
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