Shinkai sansha-jinja

Shinkai Sansha Shrine is a historic shrine in Saku, Nagano, featuring simple wooden structures with curved roofs built in traditional Japanese style. The grounds include several buildings, including a notable three-story pagoda from the Muromachi period designated as an Important Cultural Property, as well as several ancient trees such as a cedar believed to be over a thousand years old and an even older zelkova tree.

The shrine was founded many centuries ago and received support from powerful warlords including the Genji, Ashikaga, and Takeda clans, reflecting its religious and political importance. During the early Meiji era, the three-story pagoda faced destruction by government order, but local officials preserved it by arguing it was a treasure house rather than a temple structure.

The shrine honors Okunobiki-no-mikoto and other local deities, serving the community for centuries as a place of worship and prayer. The tradition of leaving small offerings like coins and flowers continues among regular visitors, showing how people maintain their spiritual connection to this sacred space.

The shrine is easily accessible by car or taxi from nearby stations and offers parking on site, making it convenient for visitors with vehicles. Entry is free, the shrine opens early in the morning and closes in the late afternoon, allowing visitors to explore freely during opening hours.

A local legend connects the nearby Yoshiike Pond with spiritual power, as told in a story of a monk said to have written sacred characters on paper that mysteriously appeared. In recent years, fans of a popular anime film have visited the site after the movie mentioned it as a special place, creating a modern link to ancient traditions.