Ashinaga jinja

Ashinaga Shrine, located in the Shiga Fumonji area on the south side of Suwa City, is known for its Okuma-ryu architecture. The area has many carpenters, mostly of the Okuma-ryu school. Historically, the eastern side of the river features Okuma-ryu structures, while the western side, where Suwa Taisha is located, features Tachikawa-ryu structures. This highlights the advanced architectural and sculptural techniques in the Suwa region from the mid to late Edo period.

This area was governed by the Suwa clan during the Sengoku period. The shrine is backed by Kirigamine and flanked by Kuwabara Castle and Shiga Castle, indicating a strong defensive setup. Ashinaga Shrine, originally a branch of Suwa Taisha Kamisha, is now the tutelary deity of the land. The cultural property includes the main hall, worship hall, and kagura hall.

During my visit around the New Year, locals gathered at the shrine, sharing sake and celebrating. This practice, likely unique to the region, reflects the local culture of welcoming the new year at the shrine.