Suwa Taisha 4 Shrines
Free Tour Bus
Our sister hotel, “Kamisuwa Onsen Shinyu” nearby, runs Suwa Taisha 4 Shrines Free Tour Bus, “Shinyu Go.”
The guide is the driver himself, who has abundant knowledge of the history of Suwa and Suwa Taisha shrines.
Also, there is an audio tour guide broadcasting on the bus while moving to the destination.
The tour will make your trip easier & deeper to experience four shrines and understand the Suwa area’s history.
Departure Time
All our overnight guests can take the free tour bus even before check-in and after check-out. Reservations are required in advance.
Tour contents
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Suwa-hime, the official mascot of Suwa City, will escort you inside the bus as you visit the four shrines
Suwa-hime, the official mascot of Suwa City, will serve as your tour guide inside the bus as you visit the four shrines. You can learn about the history of the shrines by watching the monitor, and enjoy gaining a basic knowledge of Japanese deities while enroute in the bus.
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Explore the four shrines using the Suwa Taisha NAVI smartphone app
Suwa Taisha NAVI, an app exclusively for the Taisha Shrines, also features Suwa-hime to escort you. Please enjoy yourself while leisurely reading the detailed explanations at each site.
Suwa Taisha NAVI APP Download
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Purify your hands by rinsing with water and touch the Onbashira pillars to feel their power
When visiting shrines, it is customary for people to purify their hands and mouths with flowing water in a ritual known as “chozu.” After experiencing the ritual, you can actually touch the Onbashira pillars to feel their power.
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Honmiya (main shrine) is full of mystery. Suwa Taisha Honmiya (main shrine)
Among shrines in the center of Nagano prefecture, only the Honmiya shrine is located in the primeval forest. The back of Homiya is Mt. Moriya as the deity’s body. By located on the median tectonic line chasm (from Kantou to Kyushu) formed 80 million years ago , which is full of power, it brings the Honmiya shrine with a more mysterious atmosphere.
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Maemiya (front shrine) with still scenery Suwa Taisha Maemiya (front shrine)
The Maemiya shrine is the only shrine with Honten (main hall). And surrounded by forest, remains its original nature; you can feel the amity quiet your spirit.
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Protect the sanctuary from unsanctified environments Suwa Taisha Akimiya (fall shrine)
Several treasures are in the Akimiya shrine. Japan’s biggest Komainu (lion-shaped guardian dog) for 1.7 meters made in bronze; Japan’s largest Shimenawa is the same size as the Izumi Taisha shrine; the Heihaiden (a hall of worship for priests) built-in 1781 was designated as Japan’s Important Culture Property. There is also a giant cedar tree more than 800 years old; it’s said that putting cedar leaves under your pillow will help you sleep well.
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Sanctified your body by the stream Suwa Taisha Harumiya (spring shrine)
Beside Harumiya is the Togawa stream, gathering to Suwa Lake. The stream has a tiny island with the Ukijima shrine; the island never sinks, even passing enormous flood. A cedar tree forks into two parts at the upper part but unites into one trunk at the lower part; there is a saying it can bring good fortune for matchmaking.
