創建
於明永曆十六年(1662)之後，主祀開臺聖王，乃因明鄭亡後，民眾對鄭成功感念依舊，彰頌其驅荷復臺，開疆擴土，稱以開山王廟，之後曾擴地重修但不久傾塌。清同治十三年(1874)，沈葆楨因牡丹社事件來臺籌防，奏請專祠賜謚，遂改開山王廟為「延平郡王祠」，並列春、秋祀典。清光緒二十一年(1895)，日本人據臺後，為宣揚鄭成功忠君愛國的精神，並以鄭成功的日本血緣關係，強調華夷之辨，改建為「開山神社」。民國五十二年(1963)重建，並核定中樞祭典於四月二十九日。
History
The shrine has been dedicated to Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga, “the Sagely King Who Conquered Taiwan”) since 1662, the 16th year of Emperor Yongli’s reign. It was named as Kaishanwang Temple (“Temple of the Pioneering King”) by worshippers of Koxinga, widely considered a hero who rid Taiwan of Dutch occupation, while extending the territories. An effort was made to restore the shrine at an expanded site, but the results did not last long. In 1874 (the 13th year of Emperor Tongzi’s reign), Shen Baozhen, a Qing official, was appointed to organize Taiwan’s defense system in the aftermath of the Mudan Incident, who suggested that a shrine be erected and a posthumous name awarded to this heroic figure. The Qing authorities then announced that Koxinga should be commemorated twice a year, in spring and autumn and the “Koxinga Shrine” converted from Kaishanwang Temple at the request of Shen. In 1895, (the 21st year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign) Japanese rulers gave the shrine a Japanese name, “Kaisan Jinja”, not only to underscore Koxinga’s loyalty, patriotism and Japanese heritage, but also to differentiate Chinese from other less civilized ethnic groups. In 1963, after Japan’s defeat in World War II, the shrine was restored by the Chinese nationalist government, with national memorial services for Koxinga held every April 29th.