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Religious Customs
Akiba-sama
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Within the Takayama City precincts, there are approximately 60 small shrines dedicated to the deity of Akiba. As it is believed that prayers to the god of Akiba will help prevent fires, the villagers affectionately add the honorific “-sama” suffix. Since its growth as a castle town, and because the town has suffered more than 10 major fires during its long history, prayers are offered to Akiba-sama in every suburb.