By ando 
Nishi-Azai Town, located in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, at the northern tip of Lake Biwa. Here stands Suka Jinja, a shrine with a deep history connected to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, a hero of Japanese mythology, and possessing breathtaking beauty. This time, we will introduce the mysteries of this lesser-known jinja and some surprising recent developments that have garnered attention.
Basic Information
Location: 447 Suga, Nishi-Azai Town, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture
Enshrined kami: Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto
Main attractions: Suka Jinja Garden (National Place of Scenic Beauty), Stone stairway approach
Access: Approximately 20 minutes walk from Nagahara Station on the JR Kosei Line
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The Memory of Myth Hidden in the Place Name “Suga”
The greatest feature of this jinja lies in its place name, “Suga.” In Japanese mythology, after Susanoo-no-Mikoto defeated the Yamata no Orochi (Eight-headed Serpent), he declared in the land of Izumo, “A ga mikokoro sugasugashi” (My heart feels refreshed and invigorated). This utterance is said to be the origin of the place name “Suga.”
Suka Jinja in Nagahama is also considered a sacred site that follows this mythological tradition, indicating that this land has been a “pure place chosen by the kami” since ancient times. As soon as you step onto the shrine grounds (keidai), you will surely feel enveloped in a truly refreshing atmosphere, as if separated from the hustle and bustle of the surroundings.
Mystery: The Secret of the “Waterless Masterpiece Garden” with Borrowed Scenery
Behind the shrine grounds spreads the Suka Jinja Garden, designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. This garden has a peculiar characteristic.
It is “the expression of flowing water without using actual water.”
Believed to have been created in the early Edo period, this garden is a masterpiece of “karesansui” (dry landscape garden), skillfully utilizing the slope of the mountain behind it. Large stones are arranged to represent waterfalls and streams, and it is said that on rainy days, real water cascades down the rock surfaces, revealing the garden’s complete form. The “shakkei” (borrowed scenery) technique, which incorporates the natural mountain itself as part of the garden, conveys the reverence people of that time held for nature.
Behind the Scenes: Another “Pilgrimage Site” for Fans of the Anime “Your Name.”?
Here, we introduce an interesting anecdote unique to modern times.
It is well-known that the staircase appearing in the final scene of the hit anime film “Your Name.” (Kimi no Na wa.) is modeled after Suka Jinja in Yotsuya, Tokyo. However, this Suka Jinja in Nagahama has also been quietly attracting attention among enthusiastic anime fans as a “hidden pilgrimage site.”
The reason is not only that it shares the same name, “Suka Jinja,” but also because its long, beautiful stone staircase approach evokes the world of the film. While the Tokyo pilgrimage site is very crowded, this one offers a quiet environment surrounded by the nature of Lake Biwa. It is said that fans who wish to “peacefully immerse themselves in the lingering atmosphere of the work” sometimes go out of their way to visit this place. Although it is not an official model, one cannot help but feel the mysterious connection brought about by the shared name.
Memory of a Hidden Village: A Deep Connection to Sugaura
Furthermore, very close to this “Suga” district is a settlement called “Sugaura,” known for its autonomous governance resembling an “independent state” during the medieval period. Suka Jinja was the center of faith for this entire area, and even during the turbulent Sengoku period, villagers united to protect this sacred precinct.
Ancient documents passed down at the jinja and the remains of “shimon” (four gates) placed to guard the village boundaries, reveal that this land was not merely a power spot, but a “front line of history” protected by the strong will of its people.
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Suka Jinja, located at the northernmost tip of Lake Biwa, draws visitors from the age of mythology to modern-day anime fans.
When you wish to refreshingly reset yourself amidst tranquility, why not pay a visit?
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