We are getting around the Suwa Region in Nagano Prefecture to visit some places like shrines and so on. The Suwa Region is 200 kilometers west of Tokyo and it surrounds Suwa Lake.
Worship Hall of Harumiya of Suwa Shrine
There are about 25,000 Suwa Shrines all over Japan. Suwa Shrine we visited is headquarters of them. It has a solemn atmosphere.
Hall for Ritual dance and music
Under the eaves of the hall, we see a large twisted straw rope hung. It is 13 meters long and weighs 500 kilograms.
Sacred Ceder Tree in Akimiya
The tree is estimated at the age of 800.
The Stone Statue of Buddha
A famous Japanese artist, Taro Okamoto highly praises it which was carved and erected in 1660.
Flowing Hot Spring Water
The area near Akimiya has long been famous for a hot spring resort.
An important transportation center
The area was Shukuba in Japanese which literally means lodging town. That old facility was used by feudal lords as lodging in the past.
Unagi or grilled Eel
We are eating the set of meal for lunch. The area surrounding Suwa Lake has many unagi restaurants.
Old Public Bath House
The bath house building was built in 1928 for the purpose of welfare for a local community. The finale of trip is that we bathe ourselves at the house in a relaxing way.
A view of Suwa Lake from the balcony of the Bath House
Around Suwa Lake, there used to be many manufacturers of silk threads. The bath house was established and funded by one of them, Katakura Industries Co., Ltd.
