Suwa taisha

Suwa taisha is a shrine complex in Chino, Suwa and Shimosuwa in Nagano Prefecture, made up of four separate buildings. The site splits into an upper and a lower group, located on opposite sides of Lake Suwa and linked by walking trails and roads.

The shrine appears in the Kojiki, Japan's oldest historical text from the 8th century, which documents its foundation in honor of the deity Takeminakata. Over the centuries, its influence grew beyond Nagano and led to the creation of more than 10,000 related shrines across the country.

The name comes from the worship of the deity Takeminakata, who according to mythology fled to this location and established a sanctuary here. Visitors today see red torii gates and wooden buildings that reflect the regional architecture of Nagano, and the site draws worshippers from across the prefecture.

The upper shrine group can be reached from JR Kami-Suwa Station by bus in roughly 50 minutes or by taxi in 15 minutes. The paths connecting the four buildings are open to the public and can be visited throughout the year, though sturdy footwear helps when walking between locations.

During the Onbashira Festival, participants transport 200-year-old fir trees weighing up to 10 tons using only human power. The trees are then erected at the corners of the shrine, a ritual that takes place every six years and draws thousands of spectators.