Suwa Ohhouri Yakata

History

Suwa-Ôhōri-yakata was the residence of the high priest, the Ôhōri, of Suwa Shrine up until the end of the Edo period. The yakata was referred to by many names, including Gōdono ('God Hall' (神殿)), implying a sacred place rather than just a regular residence. The yakata was first constructed at its present site in the latter part of the 16th century when the priests still acted in dual part as feudal lords. The vast mansion was surrounded by moats, forming a veritable fortress in a quarter circle shape. In the Edo period the priests' political power was severely restricted as the Suwa Domain daimyō ruled from Takahima Castle. Following the Meiji Restoration, the position of Ôhōri was abolished, the priests lost their heridetary status, and their property was confiscated and sold off. The mansion's grounds were sold and developed over, and most of the mansion was demolished by the early Shōwa period, leaving only a tiny footprint, one twentieth of the yakata's original size, occupied by the surviving portions of the yakata today. It appears that the surviving hall was primarily used originally as offices rather than as a dwelling. The surviving buildings date to around 1830 as the original architecture was lost to fire in the late Edo period.

Visit Notes

Suwa-Ôhōri-yakata was the residence of the high priest of Suwa Shrine. The garden is open to the public to wander around, but the buildings can't be entered. There is a gate, the main house, a storehouse, fences and shrines.

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Gallery

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  Main Residence today; formerly yakata offices (1830)
• 

  Akamon Gate
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• 

Castle Profile
English Name	Suwa Ohhouri Yakata
Japanese Name	諏訪大祝館
Alternate Names	大祝諏方氏邸・旧大祝屋敷・大祝諏方家居館・神殿
Founder	Suwa Clan
Year Founded	16th century
Castle Type	Fortified Manor
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	has Important Cultural Properties
Historical Period	Edo Period
Artifacts	母屋・赤門
Features	gates, palace
Visitor Information
Access	Chino Station on the Chūō Line; 35 minute walk
Visitor Information	Free to walk around garden; no entry to buildings
Time Required	20 minutes
Website	https://www.city.suwa.lg.jp/site/bunkazai/2164.html
Location	Suwa, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 0' 1.19" N, 138° 7' 37.63" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2023
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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