Suwa Taisha (Suwa Grand Shrine) is made up of four separate complexes around Lake Suwa, which is surrounded by the Northern and Southern Japanese Alps and the Yatsugatake mountain ranges in central Nagano Prefecture. It is one of the oldest shrines in Japan at over 1,200 years old. Akimiya (the focus of this photo story) is the most popular complex since it houses the four largest sacred logs brought down the steep slopes during the famous Onbashira festival held every six years. There is also an ancient tree that supposedly snores when lowering its branches for a night’s sleep.
Suwa Taisha (Suwa Grand Shrine)
Home of sacred logs and a snoring tree
