Search for Syonan Jinja, the Shinto Shrine

Today, Alex gathered L, CK and me to search for Syonan Jinja, a Shinto Shrine built by the Japanese during WWII to commemorate the Japanese soldiers who died in the war. It was unfortunately destroyed by them when they surrendered but the ruins were still apparent in the forest of MacRitchie.

Here is CK and A trekking through Lornie Trail with Sime Golf Course on the left and MacRitchie Reservoir on the right.

A said that this used to be a bridge leading to the Shrine. Now that its in ruins we have to take the longer trail.

An antique looking bridge railing along the same path.
 

Along Sime track, we saw a structure near the path and we realised that it is a super old toilet with a simple hole inside each cubicle which lead to the swamp below. I shamelessly decided to take a leak in it.

And so, we started the journey into the forest to seek the forgotten shrine. The terrain wasn’t what I thought before this. Wading through swamps and bashing through rattans.

We passed by this two square buildings which might be some kind of sentry posts?


A look at the interior. 


After some heroic bashing from our muscle man, we finally reach a tall 4m wall and this is the legendary Syonan Jinja! The wall was covered with an unknown species of Syngonium, which was interesting since there is supposed to be only one species in Singapore, Syngonium podophyllum. Update: Appears that it is S. podophyllum after all.

 
There are supposed to be a flight of stairs leading up the shrine but CK decided to grab a hanging vine and pulled himself up. And I followed soon after.

 
The shrine basically looked just like any other part of the forest except for the ocassional concrete/granite structures laying here and there.


CK pointed out to me this climber which looks like a Tinospora sp. Probably Tinsopora macrocarpa since it is the only species in the same genus. Check for another new plant, critically endangered too! Update: Seems like this is a Piper… got the wrong ID.

 
Walking around the area, we found the stairs which led to some weird circular structures.

And a ‘bath-tub’ with tadpoles and other weird insects inside. This was said to be a purification tub for washing before entering the shrine.

 
A group picture. From the left to right, CK, L, me and A.

And more steps to the base of the shrine, with a model posing. =)

A, our navigator, found a much easier path back to civilisation. We passed by another similar two houses.


I finally got the chance to see a stink horn fungus. Two, in fact. Their smelly odour attract flies and other insects for pollination.

A bunch of impressive fruits from a fallen rattan tree.

A shag but satisfying trip again!

More information about Syonan Jinja:

1. Singapore Paranormal Investigators: A 20 page account from the SPIs about the place, both historic and supernatural.
2. Heritage Trails: Some historical background of the shrine
3. Two guys search for Syonan Jinja: Photo gallery two guys search for the shrine