Aoni Hamlet

"Aoni Hamlet" s located in Hakuba Village in Northwestern Nagano Prefecture. It is a small hamlet in the middle of the mountain. Houses built during the Edo period and the Meiji period are still in existence, and it has been selected as "Important Traditional Buildings Preservation Area". The highlight is the terrace paddy field, which was selected as "the 100 best terrace paddy fields in Japan." The large terrace paddy field with stone walls is such a beautiful view as could be featured in old Japanese tales. “Aoni Shrine” in the hamlet is a shrine and its deity in residence is Zenki Daimyojin derived from the legend of Zenki.  At the annual main festival on September 21st, traditional sacred rituals such as lantern alignment and fireworks launch are held.  The highlight of the festival, above all else, is the ritual of himomi or sacred fire.  In this ritual, which has been designated as an intangible folk cultural asset, a sacred fire is generated and  is used for lights of the shrine and lanterns of each house, and also to launch fireworks.