須々岐水神社, Shinto shrine in Japan
Susuki Mizu Jinja shrine, also known as Haku-gu Taisha, is a small Shinto sanctuary in Matsumoto located about two kilometers east of Matsumoto Castle near the Haku-gawa river. Simple buildings with thatched roofs and wooden walls surround shrine grounds that feature old stone statues and nine stored festival boats standing about five meters tall.
The sanctuary was dedicated to a water deity and is documented in records dating back to 867 AD, showing its long importance to the local community. Its simple architecture and veneration of the nearby river preserve an ancient connection between people and nature that has been passed down through generations.
The shrine is dedicated to the water deity Haku-gawa Okami and reflects the community's deep connection to the nearby river. The annual boat festival celebration shows how neighborhoods come together to pull nine elaborately decorated boats in a lively procession to the shrine while praying collectively for harvest and prosperity.
The shrine is about twenty minutes by taxi from Matsumoto Station or approximately seven kilometers by car from the city center. There is no parking available on site, so arriving by bus or taxi is recommended with a short walk to reach the sanctuary.
The sanctuary houses nine elaborately carved and painted festival boats about five meters tall, crafted by local artisans featuring scenes of traditional craftsmanship. These boats are used only during the May festival when they are pulled along a five-hundred-meter path in a visual display of the community's shared hopes and traditions.
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