Atsuta Shrine: Home of the Kusanagi Sword & 1,900 Years of History

Introduction

Atsuta Shrine in Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, enshrines the Kusanagi no Mitsurugi, one of the Three Imperial Regalia. Its founding is traditionally dated to about 1,900 years ago, and the shrine describes itself as a shrine of special standing second only to Ise. It has long been revered by both the imperial court and the warrior class.

The grounds, about 190,000 square meters, are known as the “Forest of Atsuta,” with several camphor trees estimated to be around 1,000 years old. This article covers the shrine’s history from its founding to postwar reconstruction, highlights such as the Nobunaga Wall and the Great Camphor Tree, nearby spots and access.

Overview of Atsuta Shrine

*Please check the official Atsuta Shrine website for the latest visiting information.

The principal deity, Atsuta Okami, is Amaterasu Omikami with the Kusanagi Sword as her divine vessel (mitamashiro). Atsuta is one of the 16 Chokusai-sha, shrines where an imperial envoy attends the rites; the envoy attends the annual festival, the “Atsuta Matsuri” on June 5, the shrine’s most important ceremony.

Including the main shrine, one betsugu (auxiliary shrine) and a number of subsidiary shrines, there are 45 shrines in total inside and outside the grounds.

History of Atsuta Shrine

1. Ancient Times: The Legend of the Kusanagi Sword—Yamato Takeru and Miyasuhime

According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, when Susanoo-no-Mikoto slew the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi in Izumo, a sword emerged from its tail: the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi. It was presented to Amaterasu and later handed down as a symbol of the imperial throne.

In the reign of Emperor Keiko, Yamato Takeru received the sword at Ise before setting out on his eastern campaign. When enemies trapped him in a burning field, he cut away the grass with the sword and escaped, which is said to be the origin of the name “Kusanagi” (grass-cutter). The place is sometimes identified as Yaizu in Suruga.

On his way back, Yamato Takeru married Miyasuhime, daughter of the governor of Owari, and left the sword at Mt. Hikami in today’s Odaka-cho, Midori Ward, Nagoya, before heading to Mt. Ibuki. He died at Nobono in Ise Province. Miyasuhime enshrined the sword at Atsuta, which marks the beginning of Atsuta Shrine, traditionally in the 43rd year of Emperor Keiko (113 AD).

2. Ancient to Heian Period: National Veneration—Second Only to Ise

In the Heian-period Engishiki, Atsuta was listed as a Myojin Taisha (a shrine of the highest rank), and it received special treatment as a shrine protecting the nation. In 708, by order of Empress Genmei, a new sacred sword was made and the auxiliary shrine Hakken-gu was founded.

The Nihon Shoki records that in 668 a Silla monk named Dogyo stole the Kusanagi Sword and set off for Silla but failed. The sword was kept at the imperial court for a time and returned to Atsuta in 686.

3. Sengoku Period: Oda Nobunaga and the Battle of Okehazama

In 1560, Oda Nobunaga prayed for victory at Atsuta Shrine on his way to Okehazama and went on to defeat the large army of Imagawa Yoshimoto. In thanks, he donated the earthen wall known today as the “Nobunaga Wall” (Nobunaga-bei), which still stands in the grounds.

Warrior patronage extended to Hakken-gu as well: records show that Nobunaga ordered repairs to its buildings in 1575 when setting out for Nagashino, Tokugawa Ieyasu repaired its worship hall, corridors and walls in 1599, and the shogun Tsunayoshi rebuilt its main hall in 1686.

4. Edo Period: Miya-juku on the Tokaido and “Miya-no-Watashi”

In the Edo period, Atsuta prospered as Miya-juku, the 41st of the 53 post stations of the Tokaido. “Miya” refers to Atsuta Shrine. In 1843 the town is said to have had 248 inns, making it one of the largest post towns on the Tokaido. It was linked to Kuwana-juku by the sea route known as “Shichiri-no-Watashi.”

5. Modern Era: Recovery from War Damage to the Present

In 1868 the shrine was granted the title “Jingu,” changing its name from Atsuta Jinja to Atsuta Jingu, and in 1871 it was ranked as a Kanpei-taisha. Its buildings, formerly in the regional Owari-zukuri style, were rebuilt in 1893 in the shinmei-zukuri style, with a layout and scale close to those of Ise.

In the air raids of March and May 1945 the main shrine was also damaged, and most of the facilities in the grounds were destroyed. The main shrine was rebuilt in 1955, and ahead of the 1,900th anniversary of its founding (2013), renovation work including reroofing was completed in 2009. In 2021, the “Kusanagi-kan” sword museum was completed.

Highlights and Recommended Spots

1. Hongu (Main Shrine)—The Shinmei-Style Sanctuary of the Imperial Regalia

Worshippers pray in front of the Tonotamagaki Gate; together with the Yojinden hall, it is called the worship hall. Looking in from there, you can see the roof of the main sanctuary, with its chigi and katsuogi finials, beyond three layers of fences (the outer, inner and mizugaki fences). Visitors cannot see inside the sanctuary itself.

The open space between the inner and outer fences, called the Nakanoe, is where the annual festival and many other rites are held. Worship follows the usual Shinto form of two bows, two claps and one bow.

2. Nobunaga Wall—Conveying the Victory at Okehazama to the Present

The Nobunaga Wall is the earthen wall Nobunaga donated in thanks for his victory at Okehazama. It is made of earth and lime kneaded with oil, with thick layers of roof tiles. The shrine counts it among the “Three Great Earthen Walls of Japan,” together with the Oneribei at Nishinomiya Shrine and the Taiko-bei at Sanjusangendo in Kyoto.

3. Great Camphor Tree—The Giant Symbolizing the Forest of Atsuta

The Great Camphor Tree (Okusu), north of the purification fountain, is said to have been planted by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) and to be over 1,000 years old. Besides camphor, the forest includes zelkova, oak, chinquapin, muku and ginkgo, as well as the “Narazu-no-Ume,” a plum tree that blooms but never bears fruit, and the “Taroan Tsubaki” camellia prized by tea masters.

4. Treasure Hall—A Sword Collection Including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties

The Treasure Hall holds about 6,000 items donated by the imperial family, shoguns, feudal lords and ordinary worshippers, of which more than 170 are designated cultural properties of the nation or Aichi Prefecture. Highlights include the National Treasure tanto signed Rai Kunitoshi, ancient sacred treasures, bugaku masks, a chrysanthemum maki-e cosmetic box and the Atsuta-bon Nihon Shoki. Exhibits rotate. Admission is ¥500 for adults (regular exhibitions, as of September 2026).

The “Tsurugi no Hoko Kusanagi-kan,” opened in 2021, is a museum dedicated to swords and displays about 450 donated blades in rotation. The Kusanagi Sword itself is enshrined as the sacred object and is never shown.

5. Betsugu Hakken-gu and Shimizu-sha—An Auxiliary Shrine and a Shrine to the Water Deity

Hakken-gu, west of the first torii (South Gate), enshrines the same deity as the main shrine, and its architecture and yearly rites follow those of the main shrine. In 2014 its buildings were renovated for the first time in about 80 years.

Shimizu-sha, east of the main sanctuary and north of Mita Shrine, enshrines Mizuhanome-no-Kami, the deity of water. Because water springs up behind the shrine, it is known as “O-Shimizu-sama,” and there is a belief that washing your eyes with the water improves your eyesight and washing your skin makes it beautiful.

Nearby Attractions

Nagoya Castle—Golden Shachihoko and the Castle Tower

Nagoya Castle, about 20 minutes from Atsuta Shrine by Nagoya Municipal Subway, was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is known for the golden shachihoko on its keep, and in the Honmaru Palace, whose restoration was completed in 2018, you can see reproductions of its painted wall panels. Visiting Nobunaga’s Atsuta and Ieyasu’s castle together traces the Sengoku history of Owari.

Atsuta Horaiken—A Long-Established Hitsumabushi Restaurant

Atsuta Horaiken, founded as a ryotei in 1873, is a long-established eel restaurant, and “Hitsumabushi” is its registered trademark. Near the shrine are the main restaurant (7 minutes on foot from Atsuta Jingu Temma-cho Station on the Meijo Line) and the Jingu branch (3 minutes from the same station), with another branch in the Matsuzakaya Nagoya department store in Sakae. Orders may close early depending on crowds, so allow plenty of time.

Miya-no-Watashi Ruins—Feel the History of the Tokaido

Miya-no-Watashi Park, about a 10-minute walk south of the shrine, marks the landing of the “Shichiri-no-Watashi” ferry between Miya-juku and Kuwana-juku. This sea route of seven ri (about 27 km) was the only sea section of the Tokaido. A stone lantern and a time bell have been reconstructed in the park.

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
• From the Higashi-Meihan Expressway via Nagoya-nishi JCT and the Nagoya Expressway (Shirakawa Exit)
• Atsuta Shrine East Gate parking (free, approximately 300 spaces), West Gate parking (free, approximately 40 spaces)

Recommended Access Route

From Meitetsu Jingu-mae Station it is about 3 minutes on foot to the East Gate. The station is about 6 minutes from Nagoya Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line, so even arriving by shinkansen you need only one transfer.

Summary

Atsuta Shrine enshrines the Kusanagi Sword and has been revered as second only to Ise. The Nobunaga Wall, the Great Camphor Tree said to have been planted by Kobo Daishi, and the Kusanagi-kan sword museum let you follow its history within the grounds. Combined with hitsumabushi nearby and Nagoya Castle, it makes a full day in Nagoya.

Frequently Asked Questions