Suwa Taisha
長野県
Head of 25,000 Suwa shrines nationwide — Ichinomiya of Shinano enshrining Takeminakata, with the Onbashira Festival every six years (Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property)
Founded
200
Type
Shrine
Visited
Want to go
Access
About 20 min by bus from JR Chūō Main Line Chino Station to Kamisha Honmiya stop
1 Nakasu Miyayama, Suwa, Nagano (Kamisha Honmiya)
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Info
Shrine
Founded 200
1826 years
Buddhist Sect
Beppyō shrine of Jinja Honcho (former Imperial Major Shrine)
Overview
Suwa Taisha is the head shrine of approximately 25,000 Suwa shrines across Japan and the Ichinomiya of the former Shinano Province. The principal deities are Takeminakata no Kami and his consort Yasakatome no Kami, and the shrine comprises four sites — Kamisha Honmiya, Kamisha Maemiya, Shimosha Harumiya, and Shimosha Akimiya — across an extensive sacred landscape. The founding tradition dates to t…
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Origins
The founding date of Suwa Taisha remains unknown, but the area around Lake Suwa is believed to have been a site of nature worship since the Jomon period, making it one of Japan's oldest shrines. The Nihon Shoki records that the deity Takeminakata no Kami came to reside in Suwa, establishing the site…
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Divine Benefits
Martial Fortune
Warding Off Evil
Abundant Harvest
Victory in contests, sports, and critical challenges. Rooted in warrior-deity shrines such as Hachiman and Suwa.
Derived from the enshrined deity "建御名方神（たけみなかたのかみ）・八坂刀売神（やさかとめのかみ）"
祭Festivals & Events— 2
祭
4月
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Suwa Taisha Onbashira Matsuri
Suwa Taisha's grandest ceremony, held once every six years (Year of the Tiger and Monkey), one of Japan's oldest rituals. Giant trees over 200 years old are cut from the mountains and slid down steep slopes with riders aboard. The "kiotoshi" descent is renowned as Japan's most thrilling festival.
もっと詳しく · 1
記Related Articles— 7
記
記
What God Is Enshrined at Suwa Shrine? — Takeminakata, the Deity of Hunting, Martial Arts, and 25,000 Shrines
Suwa shrines — 25,000 nationwide — enshrine Takeminakata no Kami and his consort Yasakatome no Kami, deities of hunting, martial arts, agriculture, and water. Suwa Taisha in Nagano is the head shrine.
basics
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記
Kagura: Sacred Dance Offered to the Gods Across Japan
Kagura are sacred dances performed as offerings to the gods, rooted in the Amaterasu cave-opening myth. From the imperial court tradition to regional village kagura, Japan has hundreds of distinct styles. This guide covers the origin myth, the difference between mi-kagura and sato-kagura, and where to witness the most remarkable performances — from Takachiho to Iwami to Izumo.
basics
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Zenkoji and Non-Sectarian Faith: Pilgrimage to the Ikko Sanzon Amida
Zenkoji's secret principal image — the Ikko Sanzon Amida, never publicly displayed — and its famous Okaiданめguri pilgrimage through total darkness draw worshippers of all Buddhist sects. This article explores the history and thought behind this uniquely non-sectarian sacred site.
basics
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もっと詳しく · 4
人Related Figures— 2
人
T
Takeda Shingen
Tiger of Kai — Furinkazan
›
Takeda Shingen deeply venerated Suwa Taisha's Upper Shrine and prayed for victory before his campaigns. After destroying the Suwa clan in 1542 (Tenbun 11) to seize the region, he continued to revere the Suwa deity as his guardian god, emblazoning the Suwa crest on his battle standards alongside the famed 'Fūrinkazan' motto. Suwa was the spiritual cornerstone of Takeda rule over Shinano, and Shingen continuously supported the construction and repair of the shrine buildings.
Minamoto no Yoritomo
First Shogun of Kamakura
›
In establishing the Kamakura shogunate, Minamoto no Yoritomo sought the support of major shrines throughout Japan, and is said to have made land grants to Suwa Taisha. Under Kamakura warrior governance, Suwa Taisha further consolidated its standing as a war deity, and the Suwa clan (the shrine's hereditary priesthood) served as gokenin (direct retainers) of the shogunate while holding the position of military governor of Shinano Province.
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Visiting Information
Hours
All four shrine sites open around the clock. Amulet office hours vary by shrine, roughly 8:30–17:00. Treasure halls 9:00–16:00 / 9:30–15:00.
Admission
Free to visit grounds. Treasure hall: adults ¥500, children ¥300; combined ticket ¥800/¥500.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
Related Spots
Related
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya
One of the two Shimosha (Lower Shrine) sites in Shimosuwa. Houses the deity from August to January among the four Suwa Taisha shrines.
→
Related
Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya
One of the two Shimosha sites in Shimosuwa. Houses the deity from February to July.
Related
Suwa Taisha Kamisha Maemiya
The Upper Shrine's Maemiya (front shrine) in Chino. Said to be where Takeminakata first settled.
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記
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