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[Nagano ] 3 power spots and recommended temples and shrines in Nagano Prefecture

[Nagano ] 3 power spots and recommended temples and shrines in Nagano Prefecture
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Popular Tourist Spots Temples and Shrines

2023-05-25 Management office

The three major temples and shrines in Nagano Prefecture are "Zenkoji Temple ""Suwa Taisha Shrine ""Togakushi Shrine " These three temples and shrines have a solemn mood that is sure to bring good fortune, but they are also designed for the enjoyment of their worshippers. In this article, we summarize these three temples and shrines, which are considered power spots in Nagano Prefecture, in an easy-to-understand manner, and also take a closer look at red seals, lodging houses, and festivals. For the benefit of women who collect red seals, we will also introduce the red seals of the three temples and shrines in Nagano.
This is a spot where you can take stylish and quaint pictures while touring three power spots that are full of unexpected charms.
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Table of Contents

  1. 1.
    Zenkoji Temple
    1. 1-1.
      39 fine lodgings.
    3. 1-2.
      Limited red seals in five halls
    5. 1-3.
      Stone-paved "Nakamise Street "
  3. 2.
    Suwa Taisya (largest of the four main Shinto shrines of Japan)
    1. 2-1.
      New Year's visit to a shrine or temple which lies in a favorable (favourable) or lucky direction
    3. 2-2.
      If you collect red seals of four shrines, you can get a souvenir.
    5. 2-3.
      Strange festival in Japan "Suwa-taisha Shikinen-zukuri Gobashira-taisai "
  5. 3.
    Togakushi Shrine
    1. 3-1.
      China Society
    3. 3-2.
      Souvenir bookmark for collecting red seals from five shrines.
    5. 3-3.
      Kengo Kuma Architecture Koryu Togakushi Soba "Teahouse at Okusha "

Zenkoji Temple

"Zenkoji Temple "is visited by 7 million people annually, and its main hall, built in 1707, is designated as a "National Treasure ". This main hall is the fourth largest wooden structure currently "designated as a National Treasure ".

As a nondenominational temple that does not belong to any particular sect, it is known as a temple that welcomes all kinds of people. Because of its openness to all, the temple has become a spiritual center for a wide range of people, attracting worshippers from all over Japan, including local residents.



Also, "Zenkoji Temple "has suffered from repeated fires. The main hall was built in 1707 with donations from all over Japan, and the present main hall was built in 1707, after which the gate and other temple buildings were gradually rebuilt to their present appearance. The reconstructed main hall has an unusual structure with a large hall of worship in front of the Buddhist temple, and is said to be one of the largest masterpieces of Buddhist architecture from the mid-Edo period in eastern Japan.

39 fine lodgings.






Zenkoji Temple "is famous for the beautiful illumination of its main hall and lodgings ", but there are 39 splendid lodgings, each of which is a separate hall and each has 39 different priests. It is an interesting feature that you can stay in an atmosphere that is unique to each priest, while still following the long history of the temple. The menu of vegetarian and other Shukubo dishes differs from hall to hall, adding to the enjoyment of staying at various Shukubo.

Limited red seals in five halls

"At Zenkoji Temple ", in addition to distributing special red seals for the New Year and Ni-nen-mairi, visitors can obtain a red seal for each temple hall, including the Main Hall and the Sanmon Gate. The red seals are written on a piece of paper depicting the grounds of Zenkoji Temple, and when collected in groups of five (Hondo, Sanmon, Kyozo, Churyo, and Unjo-den), the combined total of the temple grounds will appear. Of these, the temple gate and the sutra library are designated as National Important Cultural Properties "and ".



Stone-paved "Nakamise Street "



Zenkoji's "Nakamise Street "is a street lined with stores on both sides of stone pavement. It is said that 7,777 stone pavements are laid between this street and the main hall, and you can enjoy the beautiful stone pavements as you are led to the main hall with auspicious numbers. The architecture, which makes full use of the beams and stone lanterns of the original building, is also a highlight of the area.


"Facility Information "
Facility name: Zenkoji
Address: 491 Motozen-cho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, 380-0851
Telephone number: Zenkoji Bureau: 026-234-3591
Hours of worship: 4:30 - 16:30 (6 - 16:00 in winter)
　*Start time depends on sunrise and varies by minutes depending on the season (main hall).
Budget: Free of charge in the precincts
　Common ticket for the inner sanctuary of the main hall, the tour of the Buddhist altar, and the Zenkoji Historical Museum: 500 yen
　Sansando (Main Hall, Gate, Sutra Repository) ticket: 1,000 yen
　Sanmon gate visit: 500 yen
　Sutra Repository 300 yen
Cultural Property Information: National Treasure (Buildings), Important Cultural Property (Buildings)
URL： https://www.zenkoji.jp/

Suwa Taisya (largest of the four main Shinto shrines of Japan)

"Suwa-san ""Suwa-daimyojin ", familiarly known as Suwa Shrine throughout Japan, is a branch of "Suwa-taisha "located in Nagano Prefecture. As the guardian deity of wind and water, it is revered as a deity that prays for a bountiful harvest and protects the source of life.



Surrounded by beautiful virgin forest, "Suwa-taisha "is the headquarters of the Suwa-taisha "Kamisha Hongu "is said to be one of the oldest shrines in Japan. It has a unique architectural style with no main shrine building and is located in a green area. "Suwa-taisha "has four shrines, among which "many valuable structures designated as National Important Cultural Properties "remain at "Kamijahonmiya ".

New Year's visit to a shrine or temple which lies in a favorable (favourable) or lucky direction

""There are four shrines in Suwa-taisha, including the previously introduced "Kamisha-honmiya ", which is the first place where the deity resided and where the Suwa faith began "Kamisha-mae-miya ", which has an 800 year old sacred tree "Nenirinosugi ", the Shimo-sha Akimiya "which has a sacred yew tree , and the Shimo-sha Harumiya "which has a yew tree "and almost the same structure as the Akimiya ". The shrine is located in the center of the city.



"Shimo-sha Akinomiya "and "Shimo-sha Harumiya "have the transition of the Goryo-dai, and the architecture of "Akinomiya "and "Harumiya "is also of competing beauty. It is fun to visit the two and compare their architectural qualities. Incidentally, the "Upper Shrine "is considered masculine and the "Lower Shrine "feminine in character.

If you collect red seals of four shrines, you can get a souvenir.



If you collect red seals of these four shrines, you can get a souvenir. 2022 is a nice toadstool wallet, and previously you could get a purse, bookmark, "Soba Rakugan "made from the first grind of buckwheat seeds, and so on. Also, 2022 is the year of "the year of "the year of "the year of the Gobashira Festival called "a strange festival under the heavens, so a limited number of red seals from a whopping 100 years ago are being reprinted.

Strange festival in Japan "Suwa-taisha Shikinen-zukuri Gobashira-taisai "





Once every seven years, in the year of the tiger and the year of the deuteragonist of the zodiac, there is the largest festival of Suwa-taisha, also known as "the "strange festival under heaven "" "the "Gobashira Festival "". In this primitive festival, 16 giant fir trees, each 17 meters long, 1 meter in diameter, and weighing a whopping 13 tons, are carried by human power alone. The fir trees are selected from those over 150 years old. The festival is extremely enthusiastic and attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators as the giant trees are dropped down steep slopes and crossed rivers, and are carried to the shrine building by human power alone.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Suwa-taisha Shrine
Address: 〒392-0015 Nakasuomiyama 1, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture (Uesha Hongu)
Phone:
　■Kami-sha main shrine and front shrine：0266-52-1919
　■Shimasha Harumiya and Akiya：0266-27-8035
Time: Free
　▪Honkyu Institute：8:30～17:00
　▪Mae Miya Institute：9:00～16:00
　▪Spring Palace Authorization Office：8:30～16:30
　■Akiyomiya Institute：8:30～17:00
To the calculation：Treasure Hall：Adults 500 yen / Junior high school students under 300 yen
Cultural Properties Report: Important Cultural Properties (Buildings)
URL： http://suwataisha.or.jp/index.html


Togakushi Shrine

The sacred mountain "Togakushi Mountain "is said to be the place where in mythical times "Ama-no-Iwato "was opened and "Amaterasu Omikami "guided the goddess Amaterasu. At the foot of this "Togakushi Mountain "is "Togakushi Shrine ", which also has five shrines. It is a historic shrine with a history of over 2,000 years, and since all five shrines are dedicated to different deities, it is said that visiting all five shrines will balance your luck.

The five shrines are "Okusha ""Chusha ""Houkousha ""Kutouryuusha ""Hinomikosha "and the two main shrines are "Okusha "and "Chusha ". The two main shrines and "Kutouryuu-sha ", a god of marriage for girls, are introduced here.



"Okusha "is the headquarters of Togakushi Shrine, the god of good fortune and the fulfillment of one's wishes. ""The approach to Okusha "is called "and is lined with 400 year old Kumasugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. D.) trees. Passing through this 500-meter line of giant kumasugi trees, you will enter "Okusha ". The forest surrounding "Okusha ", including this line of trees, is designated as a "Prefectural Historic Site and Natural Monument ".

China Society



"Naka-sha "is the god of academic achievement and family safety. This shrine "is said to be the god who opened Ama-no-Iwato ", and since he gave the wisdom to open the door, it is said to be beneficial for prosperous business, good luck, and protection from bad luck. Beautiful "dragon ceiling paintings "are placed on the ceiling of the shrine pavilion, and a sacred tree over 700 years old and the shrine office of Togakushi Shrine are located in this important place.



"The Kutouryuu Shrine "is responsible for marriage and the blessing of water. It is believed to be a much older deity than the earlier "Okusha "and "Chusha ", and interestingly, this shrine is also believed to be beneficial for tooth decay. The stunning cedar tree uro, which is so open that a person could fit inside, can be admired on the approach to "Okusha ".

Souvenir bookmark for collecting red seals from five shrines.



"Togakushi Shrine "also offers a wonderful dragon bookmark as a souvenir if you visit all five shrines and collect red seals. "Togakushi Shrine "has a strong local power, and the space itself is cherished as a highly spiritual shrine. The beautiful trees that can be seen on the way to the five shrines, as well as the shrine itself, make it a power spot where you can recharge your energy.

Kengo Kuma Architecture Koryu Togakushi Soba "Teahouse at Okusha "





At the stylish "Okusha Teahouse ", built by Kengo Kuma, you can enjoy Togakushi soba, an ancient style of soba. The soba, which was served at festivals in the Edo period, is delicious with grated daikon and six condiments. You can also take a break with a bowl of freshly made Shinshu apple or grape premium soft serve ice cream.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name: Togakushi Shrine
Address: 3506 Togakushi, Nagano-shi, Nagano, 381-4101, Japan (Nakasha)
Phone number: Togakushi Shrine Office: 026-254-2001
Hours of visit: 9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Budget: Free
Cultural Properties Report: Important Cultural Properties (Buildings)
URL： https://www.togakushi-jinja.jp/

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