Suwa-jinja

Suwa Shrine in Nagasaki stands at the top of 173 steps that rise above the Teramachi district, and the climb is part of what makes arriving feel worthwhile. The shrine was established in the 17th century to promote Shintoism during a period when the shogunate was suppressing Christianity in Nagasaki. The most famous of its festivals is the Okunchi, held every October, a three-day event recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage that blends Shinto ritual with Chinese and Dutch-influenced performance. The shrine grounds are forested and quiet outside festival seasons, with a small pond and several subsidiary shrines to explore. The steps down offer a good view over the rooftops of the Teramachi neighborhood below.