This is where the shrine’s lodgings, inns, and souvenir shops are lined up. Soba shops attract people during meal times. The Chū-sha area is the most touristy and is where the water is richest in Togakushi. That’s symbolized by the Sazare Waterfall beside Chū-sha Shrine. The water is filtered spring water from the stratum of Mt. Īzuna, and anyone born in Togakushi would say, "Togakushi depends on this water." But what exactly does that mean?
For one thing, they mean the soba shops nearby. It takes a lot of water to boil soba, but even if numerous soba shops use the water simultaneously during the busy lunch hours, the abundant water doesn’t run out. The cold water that flows out of the natural filtration system in the stratum enhances the taste of the noodles. The soba shops near Oku-sha also use the water from Chū-sha. Otherwise, the taste of the soba would change.
Togakushi also supplies this water to the city of Nagano. Owning the water rights helped support the region's economy. These two things are what people mean when they say Togakushi depends on water. By the way, you can even take a little bit of water home from the fountain in Chū-sha. Since Oku-sha is still far away, let’s quench our thirst while we walk.
The deity enshrined in Chū-sha is Omoikane, or Amenoya Gokoro Omoikane no Mikoto. He was the god who came up with the idea of dancing and singing in front of Amaterasu’s cave in the legend. He is the god of wisdom.
