諏訪大社上社本宮
1 Miyamae Nakasu,Suwa City
Suwa Taisha was formerly known as Suwa no Kami, Minakatatomi Jinja, and Suwa Daimyojin.
It is divided into four parts: Kamisha with Honmiya and Maemiya, and Shimosha with Akimiya and Harumiya.
Located around Suwa Lake, the Kamisha is situated on the west side of the lake.
None of the shrines have main halls; instead, Kamisha enshrines the sacred mountain Moriya and Shimosha enshrines the sacred tree.
The Kamisha is located on the west side of Suwa Lake and has two entrances, each with a large torii gate on the south and east sides.
The eastern entrance has souvenir shops, while the southern entrance is relatively quiet.
Entering through the southern torii gate, you will see the Nunobashi Bridge and its gate directly ahead.
To the right is the Shimbasha.
Near the southern torii gate is Nunobashi Bridge, a long, narrow gable structure with 37 bays that connects the gate to the heihaiden.
At the junction of the beams and pillars, panels with carvings of Suwa Taisha’s gate are attached, allowing sunlight to pass through.
Suwa Taisha enshrines about 100 auxiliary and branch shrines.
Next to Nunobashi Bridge is the sessha-massha hall, built in Bunsei 11 (1829).
| Nunobashi Bridge | Bunka 9 (1812) documents |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Hiromori Hirohachi |
| Architectural Style | Keta-gaki 37 bays, gable style, copper roof |
The Shikyakumon gate leading from Nunobashi Bridge to the sacred courtyard was donated by Tokugawa Ieyasu and rebuilt by Okubo Nagayasu.
It features very detailed carvings, with the intricacies of the head supports and other features showing characteristics of the Momoyama period.
It is said that many replacement materials were used during repairs.
| Shikyakumon Gate | Important Cultural Property Keicho 13 (1609) Suwa Shrine Upper Shrine construction records Bunsei 12 (1829) documents and shrine tradition |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Hiromori Hirohachi Tsunachika (Jirozaemon) |
| Architectural Style | Shikyakumon gate, gable style, copper roof, one building |
East of the shrine grounds, beneath Nunobashi Bridge, is the Tenryu-suya, which is said to drop three drops of water from a hole in the roof even on sunny days.
It is one of the Seven Mysteries of Suwa and was used for rain-making rituals.
| Chumon Gate | Bunsei 12 (1829) documents |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Itō Denzō |
| Architectural Style | Square one-bay structure, gable style, copper roof, one building |
Suwa Taisha's Kaguraden is a large wooden structure designated as a city cultural property.
It is open on all four sides, with a large gable roof.
Inside, a taiko drum with a dragon god painted on it is enshrined.
This drum is said to be the largest single-skin drum in Japan.
| Kaguraden | City Designated Cultural Property Bunsei 10 (1827) documents |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Itō Denzō |
| Architectural Style | Keta-gaki 4.5 bays, beam length 3 bays, gable style, copper roof, one building |
The Chokushiden is an unusual structure, with a straight gable roof in the front building connected to a secondary gable-roofed building with a curved gable.
The main door is a lattice window, and a balustrade surrounds the building.
| Chokushiden | City Designated Cultural Property Genroku 3 (1690) shrine tradition Ansei 6 (1859) documents |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Itō Denzō |
| Architectural Style | Square one-bay structure, large gable, copper roof, one building |
To the right of the haisho is the Chokuganden.
While the heiden is used for ceremonies and rituals, the Chokuganden is for private prayers.
It faces Mount Moriya, considered the shrine's deity.
| Chokuganden | Genroku 3 (1690) documents |
|---|---|
| Architectural Style | Gable style, copper roof, one building |
The haisho is the last shrine building accessible to general worshippers.
From here, they can pray toward the heihaiden.
Compared to other shrine buildings, it has no significant decorations or large features.
Suwa Taisha has no main hall; it enshrines Mount Moriya as its deity.
The haiden faces the direction of Kamisha Maemiya instead of Mount Moriya.
The shrine buildings feature intricate carvings, making them visually impressive.
The haiden is attached to the left and right katesho, beautifully adorned with detailed carvings.
Although enclosed by side fences, the fine craftsmanship is breathtaking.
These are representative works of the Osumi school of carpenters from the Suwa region.
| Location | 1 Miyamae, Naka-su, Suwa City |
|---|---|
| Website | http://suwataisha.or.jp/ |
| Deity | Takeminakata no Mikoto |
|---|---|
| Haiden | Important Cultural Property Tenpo 6 (1835) documents and shrine tradition |
| Carpenter | Gozayemon Hara |
| Architectural Style | 1-bay width, 1-bay depth, single story, front gabled roof, copper roof, side fences attached, one building |
| Left and Right Katehaiden | Important Cultural Property Tenpo 6 (1835) documents and shrine tradition |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Gozayemon Hara |
| Architectural Style | 2-bay width, 3-bay depth, single story, gabled roof, front gabled roof copper roof, rear protruding section attached, two buildings |
| Side Katehaiden | Important Cultural Property Tenpo 6 (1835) documents |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Gozayemon Hara |
| Architectural Style | 3-bay width, 1-bay depth, single story, gabled roof, copper roof |