Suwa-Kasugataisha Shrine is near the Saruhashi Bridge, a popular sightseeing spot in Otsuki City. It is also known as the Shrine of Success. Because a Group of Ise Shrine Worshippers (Ise-ko) in Saruhashi Area visited the Ise Shrine once every three years in the early Edo Period (1603-1868), Tensho-Kotai Shrine was built for the separated from Ise Shrine that was transferred to the Saruhashi Area. It was a small shrine at the beginning. During the Kan-ei era in the early 17th century, one poor masterless samurai (ronin) spent a night at this shrine. In his dream, a god appeared and told him that if he worshiped at this shrine, he would succeed in life. The ronin went to Edo and worked hard. He finally became the keeper of Kofu Castle, and then assumed an important position within the Edo shogunate. He finally became a feudal lord of an area that yielded 20,000 koku (approx. 3.6 million liters of crop yield). His name was Yamaguchi, the Governor of Izumo Region.
After his dream came true, he relocated the shrine to the present location in 1663, built a new main hall, and renamed it Suwa-Kasugataisha Shrine. Because his dream came true after following the god’s instruction to pray here, this shrine is called the Shrine of Success (Shusse Daijingu). According to records remaining at the shrine, Governor Yamaguchi and his descendants donated rice and gold to the shrine every year.
In September each year, this shrine holds a festival at the foot of Saruhashi Bridge. People perform the bon dance on the prefectural road, which is partially closed to vehicles and lighted by lanterns with pictures painted on them.