Suwa Taisha

Suwa Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in Shimosuwa, Japan. It is part of the Suwa shrine network that is dedicated to the Suwa deity. It hosts one of the most important annual festivals in Japan, in which participants take part in parades with large portable shrines. The shrine buildings are traditional Japanese buildings, painted in bright yellow, that line a pond filled with carp. A shrine complex is set on the hill behind them, with two torii gates that form an entrance. Visitors can view the pond and the shrine's entrance from the terrace at the top of the hill, which also provides a great view of the lakes surrounding Shimosuwa. The shrine is not only popular with tourists, but also with locals who visit to worship and pray.