Kumano jinja

The Largest Shrine in the Kiso Region
Three-Bay Flowing Karahafu Style
National Route 19 runs from Shiojiri through Kiso to Nakatsugawa in Gifu Prefecture.
Kaida Kogen, where Kumano Shrine stands, is located west of Kiso-Fukushima along the route to Takayama in Gifu Prefecture.
This highland, surrounded by mountains, is known for its deep green and scattered buckwheat fields.
Kumano Shrine is situated in a flat area surrounded by trees, with the shrine grove primarily consisting of cedar trees, creating a bright environment with sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Around the main shrine, there are three small wooden subsidiary shrines that seem to protect the main shrine. At the entrance, there is a Ryoubu torii with supporting pillars in front and behind the main torii. On the right is a purification basin, and beyond the torii stands a gabled worship hall.

The main hall, connected to the worship hall by a corridor, is a three-bay flowing style (nagare-zukuri).
It is known as the largest shrine building in the Kiso region with its flowing karahafu style, characterized by the curved gable in the front porch.

Under the front porch, carvings of dragons and frogs are present, with human figures carved into the side panels.
Noteworthy is the unique shape of the sideboards, which differ from the usual diamond shapes seen at other shrines, featuring intricate openwork carvings.