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.
Brian Wood-Koiwa @brian.wood
American writer and photographer living in central Tokyo. I have lived in and around the Tokyo metro area for a total of 12 years. I love cities, and you cannot get any bigger than Tokyo! However, I do enjoy the tranquility of the parks and temples that populate the center city and its outskirts....
