Afuchi jinja

The village of Achi in Nagano Prefecture is traversed by a national road leading to Ena in Gifu Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains, the village offers a view of the Southern Alps and is known for the Hirugami Onsen. Abuchi Shrine is located next to Achi First Junior High School in the village center.

Entering the shrine grounds through the torii gate, you see the shrine marker and lanterns beside the purification trough. The clean and well-maintained grounds suggest the shrine's close connection to the local community. The long stone steps are equipped with handrails for convenience.

The worship hall at the top of the steps is a designated cultural property of Achi Village, preserving the style from 1675. Though the colorful decorations from its original construction have faded, the latticed structure surrounding the hip-and-gable roof remains prominent.

The main hall is a large three-bay structure. Although currently enclosed by a protective building, it originally featured a central outer area and a rear inner area. Initially, there was no wooden staircase in the central bay. The main pillars are round with horizontal beams and head rails, and the bracket complexes include decorative support arms. The intricate woodwork includes a blend of cloud patterns, floral designs, and stylized young leaves.