Taiwan Grand Shrine

Originally, the plan was to construct the shrine at Yuanshan Park (圓山公園, now part of Taipei Expo Park); however, Nogi's successor Kodama Gentarō and chief planner Gotō Shinpei decided to move it across the Keelung River to Jiantan Mountain (劍潭山) for the site's higher elevation.

The vantage point would allow the shrine to overlook the entire city, making it symbolic for the Japanese Empire's colonial power.

[1][2] The construction lasted between 1900 and 1901, and the completed shrine was dedicated to Yoshihisa and the Kaitaku Sanjin (開拓三神, Three Kami Deities of Pioneering).

[1] On April 12, 1923, Crown Prince Hirohito, who would become Emperor Shōwa three years later, embarked on a two-week tour of Taiwan.

In preparation for his visit to the shrine, Chokushi Road (勅使街道, Chokushi kaidō, present-day Chungshan North Road) was created leading up to the shrine from the city, with the Meiji Bridge (明治橋) crossing the Keelung River.

A painting of Taiwan Grand Shrine during Japanese colonial rule . At the bottom of the painting is the Keelung River and in the lower-right corner the Meiji Bridge is partially visible.
Taiwan Grand Shrine Map (1920s) records the location of each object and detailed information.