Question 1

How do I get to Shimosha Akimiya by train?

Accepted Answer

About 10 minutes' walk from Shimosuwa Station on the JR Chuo Main Line. Shimosha Akimiya is the closest of the four to a station, making it especially convenient by train.

Question 2

When is the Onbashira Festival held?

Accepted Answer

The Onbashira Festival is Suwa Taisha's greatest rite, held every seventh year in the years of the tiger and the monkey. About 200,000 parishioners from across the Suwa region take part, raising great logs felled in the mountains at the four corners of each shrine building. Please see the official website for the next festival.

Question 3

Suwa Taisha has four shrines. Should I visit them all?

Accepted Answer

Visiting all four — Kamisha (Honmiya and Maemiya) and Shimosha (Harumiya and Akimiya) — is considered the proper pilgrimage, though they are some distance apart and a car is convenient. Kamisha and Shimosha each have distinctive shrine structures and their own highlights. Visiting all four takes about 2-4 hours.

Question 4

Can I get a goshuin stamp?

Accepted Answer

Goshuin are available at each of the four shrines. Please visit within the amulet office hours (Kamisha Honmiya 8:30-17:00, Maemiya 9:00-16:30). Many visitors collect the goshuin of all four.

Question 5

How long should I allow?

Accepted Answer

About 30 minutes to an hour for one shrine. To visit all four by car, allow about half a day (3-4 hours) including travel between them.

Question 6

Is there a charge to visit?

Accepted Answer

Visiting the grounds of all four shrines is free. The treasure hall may require a separate fee. Please see each shrine's official website for details.

Question 7

When is it busiest?

Accepted Answer

The New Year visits, Shichi-Go-San, Golden Week and Silver Week are all busy. The grounds are especially crowded in an Onbashira Festival year. Please allow plenty of time for your visit.

Question 8

Do you hold Shichi-Go-San prayers?

Accepted Answer

Shichi-Go-San prayers are accepted at both Kamisha Honmiya and Shimosha Akimiya, with prayers for children's healthy growth and gifts such as amulets and chitose-ame sweets. Please see the official website or contact the shrine for details.

Question 9

What are the highlights of Kamisha Honmiya?

Accepted Answer

Kamisha Honmiya is built in the distinctive Suwa style, with no main hall; instead a heihaiden and a katahaiden stand side by side. It has many nationally designated Important Cultural Properties, including the four-legged gate donated by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and more surviving buildings than any of the four shrines.

Question 10

Is there parking at Kamisha Honmiya?

Accepted Answer

Kamisha Honmiya has the large Honmiya car park at the north approach and the Honmiya car park at the east approach, with about 530 spaces in total (some charged during the New Year visits). Maemiya has about 50 spaces.

Question 11

What are the visiting hours?

Accepted Answer

The grounds can be visited at any time (24 hours). Amulet offices: Kamisha Honmiya 8:30-17:00, Maemiya 9:00-16:30, Shimosha 9:00-16:30.

Question 12

How do I get there?

Accepted Answer

Kamisha Honmiya: about 10 minutes by taxi from JR Chino Station, or about 7 minutes from Suwa IC on the Chuo Expressway. Shimosha Akimiya: about 10 minutes' walk from JR Shimosuwa Station.

Question 13

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

Parking is available. Please check the official information for details.

Question 14

What is the address?

Accepted Answer

1 Nakasu Miyayama, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture (Kamisha Honmiya)

Question 15

How much is admission?

Accepted Answer

Free (please check separately regarding the treasure hall).

Question 16

When is it closed?

Accepted Answer

The grounds are open all year round.

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