Uesugi Shrine (Japanese: 上杉神社) is located in Yonezawa (米沢) City, Yamagata (山形) Prefecture, Japan. Uesugi Shrine enshrines Uesugi Kenshin (上杉謙信), one of the most powerful warriors of the civil wars of the 15th and 16th centuries.
Uesugi Kenshin (1530 – 1578) was one of the most powerful daimyōs of the Sengoku period (戦国時代), known as the ‘Dragon of Echigo’ (越後の龍).
There is a tourist center inside the park, which sells souvenirs related to Yonezawa and Uesugi Kenshin. You can also have a cup of hot green tea here.
Besides his prowess on the battlefield, Uesugi Kenshin is also regarded as an extremely skillful administrator who fostered the growth of local industries and trade and his rule saw a marked rise in the standard of living of Echigo (越後国).
Uesugi Kenshin believed in Bishamonten (毘沙門天), the Buddhist god of war. In fact, many of his followers and others also believed him to be the Avatar of Bishamonten, and called Kenshin the ‘God of War’.
Uesugi Shrine was built on the grounds of the former Yonezawa Castle (米沢城), but the main structures had long gone, only ruins left.
Uesugi Shrine is believed to bring good luck, academic success and thriving business thanks to Uesugi Kenshin’s lingering spiritual energy.
