20 Shrines in Nagano worth your time

A historic merchant district shrine founded by Masayuki Sanada, featuring unique sacred stones and traditional monthly festivals.

What it is

• A guardian shrine for the Unno-machi merchant district founded by Masayuki Sanada.
• Dedicated to the deities Okuninushi and Kotoshironushi during the construction of Ueda Castle.
• The current main building dates back to the late 1890s.

What to see

• A sacred round stone from Shiratori Shrine serves as the main object of worship.
• The Un-no-ishi stone brought from Kudoyama Town in Wakayama Prefecture.
• The late nineteenth-century architecture of the main shrine building.

When to go

• Ennichi festivals are held on the twentieth day of every month.
• The Ebisu-ko festival takes place annually on November 20.
• The Hatsuebisu festival is held every year on January 20.

Getting there

• The shrine is located within walking distance of Ueda Station.

Read more about Takaichi Shrine (Ueda, Nagano)

A Meiji-era shrine in Nagano featuring a historic main hall and a unique stone bridge built without cement.

What it is

• A shrine established during the Meiji era dedicated to the deity Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto.
• The site serves as the source for branch shrines in Okaya and Shimosuwa.
• A separate subordinate shrine on the grounds enshrines the deity Sarutahiko-no-Mikoto.
• The main hall and stone bridge are designated as village tangible cultural properties.

What to see

• The main hall which was constructed in 1931.
• Shinsei Bridge built of stacked stones without the use of cement.
• The surrounding grounds located near the Takase River.

When to go

• Coming of Age Day for the New Year prayer festival.
• The second Sunday of April to witness the annual spring festival.

Getting there

• Walk 400 meters west from Kita-Hosono Station to reach the shrine.

Read more about Uzume Shrine

A hillside shrine in Nagano home to a 1,200-year-old cherry tree designated as a national natural monument.

What it is

• A shrine located on a slope in the Imoi district of Nagano City.
• Home to a giant Edohigan cherry tree estimated to be 1,200 years old.
• The site features a tree designated as a national natural monument since 1935.
• Legend says the deity Susanoo planted the tree from a wooden staff.

What to see

• A massive cherry tree with a root circumference of approximately 9 meters.
• The ancient tree which was the subject of a 1996 painting by Chinami Nakajima.
• Evidence of rejuvenation treatment performed by an arborist in 1992.

Getting there

• The shrine is a 30-minute walk from the Aragasu bus stop.
• There is no parking lot available for private cars at the site.

Read more about Suzakura Shrine

Fujishima Shrine: two ancient shrines in Nagano, linked to Suwa's founding legend.

What it is

• Two shrines in Nagano Prefecture.
• Both relate to the legend of Takeminakata's entry into Suwa.
• Fujishima-sha (Suwa City) is a sessha of Suwa Grand Shrine Kamisha.
• Fujishima Shrine (Okaya City) is the site of a kofun.

What to see

• Kohanahanasakuya-hime-no-mikoto enshrined at Fujishima-sha (Suwa City).
• Fujishima Myojin enshrined at Fujishima Shrine (Okaya City).
• Kofun from the 6th to early 7th century at Okaya City shrine.

When to go

• Mitaue-sai festival in early June at Fujishima-sha (Suwa City).
• Annual festival on the second Sunday of March at Okaya City shrine.

Getting there

• Fujishima-sha (Suwa City) is 500m north of Kamisha Honmiya.

Address

長野県諏訪市中洲(旧中洲村)神宮寺 Map

Read more about Fujishima Shrine (Suwa Region)

A historic shrine founded in 1277 featuring a 17th-century main hall and a nationally protected wooden deity statue.

What it is

• Established in 1277 by the Ema clan in Iida City.
• Spirit was originally invited from the Iwashimizu Hachimangu shrine.
• Enshrines the deities Homutawake-no-mikoto, Takeuchi-no-sukune, and Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto.
• Formerly classified as a prefectural shrine and originally named Shimada Hachimangu.

What to see

• The main hall rebuilt in 1696 is an Iida City Tangible Cultural Property.
• A worship hall dating back to its reconstruction in 1662.
• Wooden statue of Homutawake-no-mikoto designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• The annual shrine festival is held every year on October 5th.

Read more about Hatogamine-hachimangū

Omi Shrine is an ancient shrine with a historic school building and a famous cherry tree.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to Takeminakata-no-kami and Hondawake-no-mikoto.
• Founded before the Tensho era (1573-1593).
• Its name means rich land for making hemp.

What to see

• The first torii gate, built between 1887 and 1888.
• Oldest school building in Nagano Prefecture, the Zakoji Omi School.
• The Omi-no-Sato Butai-zakura, a weeping higan cherry tree.
• The cherry tree is an Iida City cultural property.
• The shrine area is maintained as Motoyoshiko-ji Park.

When to go

• Annual festival has New Year, Spring, Autumn, and Labor Thanksgiving celebrations.

Getting there

• About 700m west of Motoyoshiko-ji Station.

Address

長野県飯田市座光寺市場2516 Map

Read more about Omi Shrine

A historic shrine in Nagano dedicated to thinker Sakuma Zozan, featuring relocated Kyoto structures and a registered garden pond.

What it is

• A shrine established in 1938 to enshrine the influential thinker Sakuma Zozan.
• Built on the former residence site of Sakuma Zozan in Matsushiro Town.
• The construction planning was led by Hideo Yokota.
• The site of the original house is a prefectural historic site.

What to see

• The main hall is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
• A nationally Registered Monument garden pond located on the grounds.
• The En-utei tea house and Kogitei building relocated from Kyoto.
• A bronze statue of Sakuma Zozan erected in 2010.

Getting there

• The shrine is accessible by bus from Nagano Station.

Official site

zouzan.net

Read more about Zōzan Shrine

Susukigisui Shrine: ancient shrine with unique festivals and historic artifacts, worth a quick visit.

What it is

• Ancient shrine in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture.
• Founded by a Korean immigrant given the surname 'Susuki' in 799.
• Promoted in rank in 867.
• Shotoku Taishi is enshrined in Sakuranomiya.

What to see

• Wooden komainu from 1458.
• Many ridge tags from 1680 onwards.
• Nine floats designated as Nagano Prefectural Treasures.

When to go

• Ofune Festival is held annually on May 5th.
• Onbashira Festival is held every 7 years.
• Onbashira Festival is a Matsumoto City Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 20-minute taxi ride from JR Matsumoto Station.
• No parking available.

Address

長野県松本市大字里山辺2737[1][2] Map

Read more about Susukigisui Shrine (Matsumoto City)

A historic Shinto shrine in Iida City dedicated to Emperor Ojin, featuring Meiji-era votive tablets and annual fireworks festivals.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine established in either 860 or 1188 in Iida City.
• The site enshrines Emperor Ojin and Empress Jingu.
• Designated as a prefectural shrine by the Meiji government in 1944.
• Resting place for the Mito Tengu-to group during their 1864 journey.

What to see

• The ema hall housing votive tablets dating back to the Meiji era.
• Reconstructed shrine buildings following a fire in 1573.

When to go

• Spring festival held annually on April 14 and 15.
• Fireworks festival held on the second Saturday of September.
• Autumn main festival occurring on the second Sunday of September.

Read more about Gōdo-hachimangū

Ancient shrine in Nagano with unique architecture and important cultural properties.

What it is

• Dedicated to Ikushima-no-Okami and Tarushima-no-Okami.
• Designated a Myojin-taisha shrine.
• Formerly a National Shrine, 2nd class.
• Currently a Beppyo Jinja of the Association of Shinto Shrines.

What to see

• Main shrine building in Gongen-zukuri style.
• Main shrine's inner sanctuary is a Prefectural Treasure.
• Kabuki stage is a Prefectural Treasure.
• Subsidiary Suwa Shrine's main hall and gate are Prefectural Treasures.
• Ikushima Tarushima Jinja Monjo is a National Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Shimonogo Station.
• On the Ueda Electric Railway Bessho Line.

Address

長野県上田市下之郷中池西701 Map

Official site

www.ikushimatarushima.com

Read more about Ikushima Tarushima Shrine

Kosuge Shrine is a historic Shugendo site with ancient cedars and an important main hall.

What it is

• One of three major Shugendo sacred sites in Shinshu.
• Originated from Kosugeyama Ganryuji, a Shugendo temple.
• Established during the Meiji era.
• Enshrines eight deities.

What to see

• Main hall of the inner shrine is an Important Cultural Property.
• Main hall built between 1532 and 1554.
• Main hall located at an altitude of 820m.
• Kosuge Shrine cedar avenue built during the Edo period.
• Cedar trees are around 300 years old.

When to go

• Hashiramatsu Saito Shinto ritual is a major event.
• Ritual is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

〒389-2322 長野県飯山市大字瑞穂6043番地 Map

Official site

kosugejinja.jp

Read more about Kosuge Shrine, Iiyama

Ikedahachiman Shrine is a historic site in Nagano, known for its unique annual festival.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Ikeda-machi, Nagano Prefecture.
• Founded as Hachiman-sha before 1946.
• Enshrines Hondawake-no-mikoto, Haniyasuhime-no-mikoto, and Kuzuryu-jin.

What to see

• Main hall and Juni-sha hall.
• Stone monument for Sugiyama Soun.
• Sumo ring for dedicatory sumo.
• Eight warehouses for festival floats.
• Five designated cultural properties of Ikeda Town.

When to go

• Annual festival on September 23rd and 24th.
• Festival includes float pulling and dedicatory sumo.

Getting there

• 5-minute drive from Kita-Hosono Station.

Address

長野県北安曇郡池田町池田3204 Map

Read more about Ikedahachiman Shrine

Yubuku Shrine is an ancient guardian shrine of Zenkoji Temple, known for its historic trees and Onbashira Festival.

What it is

• One of Zenkoji Temple's three guardian shrines.
• One of Zenkoji Temple's seven shrines.
• Dedicated to the deity Takeminakata-no-kami.
• Contains a mausoleum for Zenkoji founder Gankō Honda.

What to see

• Onbashira pillars stand within the grounds.
• Three zelkova trees are designated natural monuments.
• Zelkova trees are estimated to be 700 to 900 years old.
• Present main hall and worship hall completed in 1862.
• Large stone in mausoleum is believed to be Gankō Honda's grave.

When to go

• Onbashira Festival is held every Tiger and Monkey year.

Address

長野県長野市箱清水三丁目1番2号 Map

Read more about Yubuku Shrine

A mountaintop shrine in Nagano, offering unique festivals and panoramic views.

What it is

• A shrine at the summit of Mount Kurumayama.
• Dedicated to Oyamatsumi-no-kami, Takeminakata-no-kami, and Yasakatome-no-kami.
• Originated as a ski shrine in the early Showa period.

What to see

• The stone shrine building.
• Views from the 1,925-meter summit.
• Ema (votive tablets) available since winter 2019.

When to go

• Spring for the mountain opening festival.
• Winter for the safety prayer festival.
• Year of Suwa Grand Shrine's Onbashira for the Kurumayama Onbashira Festival.
• For the Kurumayama Fire Festival, based on a Tengu legend.

Address

長野県茅野市北山3413（車山山頂）[1] Map

Official site

kurumayamajinja.jp

Read more about Kurumayama Shrine

Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine: a historic shrine with unique architecture and cultural properties, worth visiting for its festivals.

What it is

• Also called Wakamiya Shrine.
• Founded in 1202 by Ōi Tomomitsu.
• Enshrines Ōsazaki no Mikoto and Hachiman-ōkami.
• Served as a honjin and waki-honjin.

What to see

• Current main hall built in 1691.
• Main hall is a three-bay nagare-zukuri style.
• Subsidiary shrine dedicated to Gion Gozu Tennō.
• Portable shrine is a designated cultural property.
• Relocated stone lantern from the Nakasendō.
• Wakamiya Park is north of the shrine buildings.

When to go

• Iwammurada Gion Festival in mid-July.
• Autumn regular festival on August 22.

Address

長野県佐久市大字岩村田1907[1] Map

Read more about Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine

Ancient shrine in Nagano, dedicated to three deities, with a history dating back to the Yayoi period.

What it is

• Shrine in Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Amaterasu Sumi Okami and two other deities.
• Worship of gods here began in the Yayoi period.
• Shrine name licensed by the Kyoto Shirakawa family in 1810.

What to see

• Heiden (inner shrine) built in 1706.
• Haiden (front shrine) built in 1721.
• Main shrine and Kagura-den rebuilt in 1793.
• Noritoden and Haiden renovated in 1893.

When to go

• Kinen-sai festival on May 11.
• Yoimiya festival on the second Sunday of October.
• Hon-sai festival on the second Monday of October.

Address

長野県中野市大字間山字宮上262 Map

Read more about Mayama Toyotomi Shrine

Isagoda Shrine, a historic Shikinaisha shrine, offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese religious practices.

What it is

• A Shikinaisha shrine founded in 649.
• Dedicated to Hikohode-mi no Mikoto and other deities.
• Its crest is "Sankai-bishi."
• Designated a Prefectural Shrine in 1901.

What to see

• The main hall, constructed in 1808.
• The shrine's Okusha in Hata Sagisawa.
• Rituals similar to Suwa Shrine's Onbashira.

When to go

• Onbashira Festival occurs every six years.
• Festival years are the Hare and Rooster.
• Festival is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Oba Station.

Address

長野県松本市島立三ノ宮3316 Map

Read more about Isagoda Shrine

Visit this historic shrine to see ancient buildings and a sacred tree.

What it is

• A former prefectural shrine and Saku district's main shrine.
• Dedicated to Okihagi-no-mikoto, Saku's pioneering deity.
• Okihagi-no-mikoto is grandchild of Okuninushi-no-Okami of Izumo.

What to see

• The three-story pagoda, built in 1515, is an Important Cultural Property.
• The East Main Shrine, built 1467-1572, is an Important Cultural Property.
• Medieval documents include a prayer by Takeda Shingen.
• Shrine grounds include Kinugasa Shrine and Fukuda Inari Shrine.
• A sacred cedar tree stands 20m in front of the East Main Shrine.

Address

長野県佐久市田口宮代2394 Map

Read more about Shinkai Sansha Shrine

Hanazura Inari Shrine is a historic cliff-hanging shrine, one of Japan's five great Inari shrines.

What it is

• One of Japan's five great Inari shrines.
• Enshrines Ukanomitama, Sarutahiko, and Omiyanome.
• Founded during the Eiroku era (1558-1570).
• Houses a divided spirit from Fushimi Inari Taisha.

What to see

• Shrine building in kakezukuri (cliff-hanging) style.
• Red pillars support the building over Yukawa River.
• A zelkova and red pine tree, 'Aioi no Ki'.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Iwamurada Station (JR Koumi Line).
• 5 km from Joshinetsu Expressway Saku Interchange.
• Parking available for 5 cars.

Address

長野県佐久市大字岩村田字鼻顔4261[1] Map

Read more about Hanazura Inari Shrine

Mizukami Funayama Shrine features a historic main hall with intricate carvings and a unique lantern.

What it is

• A shrine founded by inviting a deity from Suwa Taisha.
• Renamed Mizukami Funayama Shrine in 1835.

What to see

• The main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Main hall built in 1789, has numerous carvings.
• Carvings by Shimiya Chozaemon are on the main hall.
• 'Iimori-onna no Kentourou' is a city cultural property.
• Lantern dedicated by 52 iimori-onna and innkeepers.
• Names of 52 iimori-onna are carved on the lantern's base.

When to go

• Onbashira Festival is held every seven years.

Address

長野県千曲市大字戸倉上中町1990 Map

Read more about Mizukami Funayama Shrine