- Introduction
- Overview of Atsuta Shrine
- History of Atsuta Shrine
- 1. Ancient Times: The Legend of the Kusanagi Sword—Yamato Takeru and Miyasuhime
- 2. Ancient to Heian Period: National Veneration—Second Only to Ise
- 3. Sengoku Period: Oda Nobunaga and the Battle of Okehazama
- 4. Edo Period: Miya-juku on the Tokaido and “Miya-no-Watashi”
- 5. Modern Era: Recovery from War Damage to the Present
- Highlights and Recommended Spots
- 1. Hongu (Main Shrine)—One of Japan’s Most Sacred Sites Housing the Imperial Regalia
- 2. Nobunaga Wall—Conveying the Victory at Okehazama to the Present
- 3. Great Camphor Tree—The Giant Symbolizing the Forest of Atsuta
- 4. Treasure Hall—A National Treasure Sword Collection
- 5. Betsugu Hakken-gu and Shimizu-sha—Hidden Power Spots
- Nearby Attractions
- Access
- Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
In a lush green forest just minutes from the heart of Nagoya stands a shrine indispensable to the story of Japan’s history. This is Atsuta Shrine. Enshrining the Kusanagi no Mitsurugi—one of the Three Imperial Regalia—this shrine boasts approximately 1,900 years of history and stands as one of Japan’s most prestigious shrines, second only to Ise Grand Shrine in veneration.
The grounds span approximately 190,000 square meters (about 4 Tokyo Domes), and the “Atsuta-no-Mori” (Forest of Atsuta)—home to some 6,000 trees—creates an otherworldly space of deep forest in the heart of the great city of Nagoya. Walking along the approach where giant camphor trees filter dappled sunlight and only the sound of footsteps on gravel echoes, you can feel with your entire being that this land has been protected as a sacred site for over a thousand years.
Overview of Atsuta Shrine
Atsuta Shrine is located in Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and has been revered since ancient times as the guardian deity of Miya-juku on the Tokaido road. The principal deity is Atsuta Okami, which represents Amaterasu Omikami enshrined through the Kusanagi Sword as her divine spirit.
| Official Name | Atsuta Jingu |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi |
| Principal Deity | Atsuta Okami (Amaterasu Omikami via the Kusanagi Sword) |
| Associated Deities | Amaterasu Omikami, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Yamato Takeru, Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto, Takeinadane-no-Mikoto |
| Shrine Rank | Former Kanpei-taisha, Beppyo Shrine, Chokusai-sha |
| Founded | Traditionally 113 AD (Emperor Keiko Year 43) |
| Visiting Hours | Grounds open freely (Treasure Hall 9:00–16:30) |
| Admission | Grounds free (Treasure Hall: Adults ¥300) |
| Closed | Open year-round (Treasure Hall closed last Wed of month & Dec 25–31) |
*Please check the official Atsuta Shrine website for the latest visiting information.
The Kusanagi Sword enshrined at Atsuta Shrine is one of the Three Imperial Regalia (Yata Mirror, Kusanagi Sword, Yasakani Jewel) passed down through the Imperial Family. The Three Imperial Regalia symbolize the legitimacy of the Emperor, and as the shrine housing one of them, Atsuta Shrine holds a special place for the Imperial Household. Designated as a chokusai-sha (shrine where imperial envoys conduct ceremonies), an imperial messenger attends the Atsuta Festival on June 5th each year.
The grounds contain the Hongu (main shrine), the Betsugu Hakken-gu, and a total of 45 subordinate shrines. The “Forest of Atsuta,” dotted with camphor trees over a thousand years old, also serves as an oasis for Nagoya residents. With approximately 6.5 million annual visitors, it is one of Japan’s greatest shrines, drawing worshippers from across the nation.
History of Atsuta Shrine
1. Ancient Times: The Legend of the Kusanagi Sword—Yamato Takeru and Miyasuhime
The origins of Atsuta Shrine are deeply rooted in Japanese mythology.
During Emperor Keiko’s reign, Prince Yamato Takeru received this sword from Ise Grand Shrine for his eastern campaign.
After completing his eastern campaign, Yamato Takeru left the Kusanagi Sword with Princess Miyasuhime of the Owari clan and departed to subdue the deity of Mount Ibuki.
2. Ancient to Heian Period: National Veneration—Second Only to Ise
As the shrine housing the Kusanagi Sword, Atsuta Shrine received fervent veneration from the imperial court since ancient times.
In 668, a Silla monk named Dogyo stole the Kusanagi Sword and attempted to take it to the Korean kingdom of Silla.
During the Heian period, Atsuta Shrine was recorded in the Engishiki as “Atsuta-sha” and received imperial offerings several times a year.
3. Sengoku Period: Oda Nobunaga and the Battle of Okehazama
One of the most dramatic events in Atsuta Shrine’s history occurred on the eve of the Battle of Okehazama in 1560.
According to tradition, when Nobunaga prayed at Atsuta Shrine, a white dove flew up from the direction of the main hall.
Beyond Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi also donated tsukiji walls and Tokugawa Ieyasu undertook shrine construction—the fact that all three great unifiers revered Atsuta Shrine speaks eloquently to its prestige.
4. Edo Period: Miya-juku on the Tokaido and “Miya-no-Watashi”
During the Edo period, Atsuta flourished as Miya-juku, the 41st of the 53 stations on the Tokaido road.
Daimyo on sankin-kotai (alternate attendance) journeys along the Tokaido invariably visited Atsuta Shrine to pray for travel safety.
During the Genroku era (1688–1704), major shrine renovations were carried out under the generous patronage of the Edo shogunate.
5. Modern Era: Recovery from War Damage to the Present
After the Meiji Restoration, Atsuta Shrine was ranked as a Kanpei-taisha and officially adopted the “Jingu” title.
However, in the Nagoya air raids of March 1945, Atsuta Shrine suffered devastating damage with most of the grounds burned.
Today, Atsuta Shrine welcomes approximately 6.5 million visitors annually as the largest shrine in the Chubu region, continuing to serve as the center of regional faith.
Highlights and Recommended Spots
Here are the must-see highlights at Atsuta Shrine.
1. Hongu (Main Shrine)—One of Japan’s Most Sacred Sites Housing the Imperial Regalia
The Hongu of Atsuta Shrine is one of the most sacred places in Japan, enshrining the Kusanagi Sword.
Standing before the Hongu, what first strikes you is its solemnity.
The deep green of the “Forest of Atsuta” surrounding the Hongu creates a quietness that makes you forget you are in the middle of a city.
2. Nobunaga Wall—Conveying the Victory at Okehazama to the Present
The “Nobunaga Wall” remaining on the south side of the Hongu is a tsukiji earthen wall donated by Oda Nobunaga as a token of gratitude to Atsuta Shrine after his victory at the Battle of Okehazama in 1560.
The Nobunaga Wall is counted among “Japan’s Three Great Tsukiji Walls” alongside the Great Wall of Nishinomiya Shrine and the Taiko Wall of Sanjusangendo.
An information panel before the wall explains the course of the Battle of Okehazama and Nobunaga’s reverence for Atsuta Shrine.
3. Great Camphor Tree—The Giant Symbolizing the Forest of Atsuta
Several camphor trees over a thousand years old stand within Atsuta Shrine’s grounds, the largest being the “Okusu” (Great Camphor) in front of the Hongu.
Legend holds that a white snake lives in the trunk of the Great Camphor, and the snake is revered as a divine messenger.
Approximately 6,000 trees thrive within Atsuta Shrine’s grounds, and this “Forest of Atsuta” maintains an astonishingly deep forest atmosphere despite being in central Nagoya.
4. Treasure Hall—A National Treasure Sword Collection
Atsuta Shrine’s Treasure Hall boasts a collection of approximately 6,000 items including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, with an especially rich collection of swords befitting the shrine of the Kusanagi Sword.
The highlight of the permanent exhibition is the sword collection.
Admission is ¥300 for adults, with a visit taking approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
5. Betsugu Hakken-gu and Shimizu-sha—Hidden Power Spots
The Betsugu Hakken-gu on the east side of the Hongu has shrine buildings in the same Shinmei style as the main shrine and enshrines Atsuta Okami.
Near Hakken-gu, Shimizu-sha is known as a hidden power spot of Atsuta Shrine.
Atsuta Shrine’s vast grounds contain 45 sub-shrines, so visiting all of them takes over 2 hours.
Nearby Attractions
Nagoya Castle—Golden Shachihoko and the Castle Tower
About 20 minutes by Nagoya Municipal Subway from Atsuta Shrine, Nagoya Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu as the crowning achievement of national unification.
While Atsuta Shrine represents the stage of Nobunaga’s Battle of Okehazama, Nagoya Castle symbolizes Ieyasu’s national unification—visiting both lets you experience the beginning and end of the Sengoku period.
Atsuta Horaiken—Birthplace of Nagoya’s Famous Hitsumabushi
“Atsuta Horaiken,” with its main branch in front of Atsuta Shrine, is the birthplace of Nagoya’s signature dish “hitsumabushi.” Founded in 1873, this long-established restaurant serves charcoal-grilled eel enjoyed in three ways: “as is,” “with condiments,” and “with dashi broth”—a quintessential Nagoya gourmet experience.
Enjoying hitsumabushi after visiting Atsuta Shrine is the golden course for Nagoya sightseeing.
Miya-no-Watashi Ruins—Feel the History of the Tokaido
About a 10-minute walk south from Atsuta Shrine, “Miya-no-Watashi Park” marks the site of the former “Shichiri no Watashi” landing dock on the Tokaido road.
Now maintained as a park with reconstructed permanent lanterns and a time bell, the view toward Nagoya Port from here lets you imagine the scenery travelers once saw while waiting for their boats.
Access
By Train
- Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijo Line: About 7-minute walk from Atsuta Jingu Temma-cho Station
- Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijo Line: About 7-minute walk from Atsuta Jingu Nishi Station
- Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line: About 3-minute walk from Jingu-mae Station (most recommended)
- JR Tokaido Main Line: About 8-minute walk from Atsuta Station
By Bus
- Nagoya City Bus “Jingu Higashimon” stop, immediate access
- About 20 minutes by bus from Nagoya Station
By Car
- About 5 minutes from Hotta Exit on Nagoya Expressway Route 3
- About 20 minutes from Nagoya IC on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway
- Atsuta Shrine East Gate parking (free, approximately 300 spaces), West Gate parking (free, approximately 40 spaces)
Recommended Access Route
Meitetsu Jingu-mae Station is the most convenient, just about 3 minutes on foot to Atsuta Shrine’s east gate. Only about 6 minutes from Nagoya Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line, it is extremely close and can be easily visited between other Nagoya sightseeing activities. When visiting Nagoya by Shinkansen, simply transferring to the Meitetsu line at Nagoya Station provides easy access.
Summary
Enshrining the Kusanagi Sword—one of the Three Imperial Regalia—Atsuta Shrine is one of Japan’s most prestigious shrines with approximately 1,900 years of history. The Nobunaga Wall from the Battle of Okehazama, thousand-year-old Great Camphor trees, and a National Treasure sword collection—the essence of Japanese history and culture is concentrated in this shrine.
Enjoy Nagoya’s famous hitsumabushi at Horaiken before the shrine gates, combine with Nagoya Castle, and you have the ultimate Nagoya sightseeing plan covering the city’s history and cuisine in one day. In the silence embraced by the deep green of the “Forest of Atsuta,” come touch 1,900 years of prayers.
