The four major shrines around Lake Suwa, 200km northwest of Tokyo is called Suwa Grand Shrine　諏訪大社.

 

1. Upper shrine, Front branch 　上社前宮

 

2. Upper shrine, Main branch　上社本宮

 

3. Lower shrine, Spring branch　下社春宮

 

4. Lower shrine, Autumn branch　下社秋宮

 

It is four shrines, but one.

Name of the branch office is not four seasons, nor four directions.

Upper shrine is located far south of Lake Suwa, and Lower shrine is north and by the lake.

 

Why Japanese people!!?!

 

Once every seven years, there is an unique festival to replace the four sacred pillars placed around each branch offices. The festival started over 1,200 years ago.

 

Each pillar is massive.

Height: 17m

Diameter: 1m

Weight: 10t

Tree: Fir, same as Christmas tree

Age: over 150

 

Each pillars are hand carried by hundreds of disciples with a song.

 

 

Cross the river,

 

Diving off the cliff,

(View from the top)

 

(bottom)

 

Then rest for one month,

 

and finally replace the old pillar.

 

It is believed that the pillars become God in the process of this festival.

Old pillar will be securitized and sold to disciples.

 

Disciples sometimes die especially when diving off the cliff and setting up the pillar.

Very serious festival.

 

Why Japanese people!!?!