Nagoya’s Top Power Spot Where a Sacred Sword Rests: Atsuta Jingu Travel Guide

The history of Atsuta Jingu began in 113, when the hero Yamato Takeru, son of the emperor at the time, passed away. His wife, Miyasu-hime no Mikoto, enshrined the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi here.
The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi is a sacred sword that appears in Japanese mythology, and is said to have been used by Yamato Takeru in his campaigns across the land.
In 1560, Oda Nobunaga donated an earthen wall in gratitude after praying here for victory; it still remains today as the “Nobunaga-bei” (Nobunaga Wall).
Although the shrine was burned down in 1945 during wartime air raids, it was rebuilt in 1955.

The Atsuta Jingu Treasure Museum houses 6,000 items, including ancient sacred treasures, swords, Japanese mirrors, bugaku masks, and old documents, donated by the Imperial Household, shogun families, feudal lords, the shrine itself, and everyday worshippers.
As many as 180 items are designated as National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, or Aichi Prefecture Cultural Properties.
Don’t miss rare pieces you can’t easily see elsewhere, such as the National Treasure tanto “Rai Kunitoshi,” the Important Cultural Property “Kiku Maki-e Tebako” (lacquered box), and the wooden bugaku mask “Ryo-o.”
Because the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi is enshrined here, many swords have been dedicated over time, and in 2021 the “Kusanagi-kan” was newly established to exhibit precious swords.
Since the Kusanagi-kan is located across from the Atsuta Jingu Treasure Museum, be sure to visit both.

Kamichikama Shrine is on the left as you face the main sanctuary, next to the First Torii Gate.
It’s a small shrine within Atsuta Jingu, enshrining the Owari no Kuni-no-Miyatsuko.
Blessings are said to include business prosperity, household safety, success in exams, and good fortune.
Hatsu Ebisu, held every year on January 5, is a Shinto ritual to pray for business success.
Many people visit to seek the “Ichiban-fuda,” a talisman given only on that day.
It’s said that after receiving the Ichiban-fuda, if you go home without speaking to anyone so you don’t let fortune escape, you will receive good luck.

The Nobunaga Wall is an earthen wall stretching 120 m, made by layering roof tiles with a binder created by kneading soil and lime with oil.
It was dedicated in gratitude by Oda Nobunaga after he won the Battle of Okehazama, for which he prayed at Atsuta Jingu.
It was once 400 m long, but today only about one-third remains.
It’s also counted as one of Japan’s three great earthen walls.

This is the shrine building that enshrines Atsuta Okami, the main deity of Atsuta Jingu, and it’s also where the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi is safeguarded.
In 1893, it was remodeled in the traditional “Shinmei-zukuri” architectural style—the same style as Ise Jingu, considered exceptional among shrines.
Of course, that’s because the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi is kept here.
The role of the main sanctuary is to protect the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, and this has been carried out for generations.
The building is solemn and beautiful, but visitors can only access the worship hall and cannot enter the interior.
Even so, it’s well worth visiting to feel the sacred atmosphere in the air.

The O-Kusu (Giant Camphor Tree), said to be over 1,000 years old, is on the left as you head toward the main sanctuary, beyond the Second Torii Gate. It stands 20 m tall with a trunk circumference of 7.7 m.
It’s said that a white snake lives in the tree, and eggs are offered there every day.
Because encountering a white snake is believed to bring a boost in financial luck, take a look around when you visit the O-Kusu.
Within the grounds are seven massive camphor trees known as the “Seven Kusu,” and the O-Kusu is one of them.
Unfortunately, visitors can view only three of the seven, including the O-Kusu.
As you stroll the grounds, be sure to pay attention not only to the O-Kusu, but to the other giant camphor trees as well.

Shimizu Shrine is located along the “Kokoro no Komichi” pathway beside the main sanctuary.
It enshrines Mizuhanome-no-Kami, a water deity said to appear as a beautiful woman.
Behind it flows a spring known as “Oshimizu-sama,” and there’s a tale that washing your eyes with this water cured eye diseases.
Not only that, it’s also said that washing your skin with the spring water helps make it more beautiful.
In the center of the spring area is a stone monument said to be part of a stone used to memorialize Yang Guifei, famed as a great beauty. It’s said that if you pour water on the monument three times and pray, your wish will come true.

Founded in 1873 in the shrine’s gate town, this is the birthplace of Nagoya’s famous eel dish, hitsumabushi.
Hitsumabushi is grilled eel (kabayaki) chopped into small pieces and placed over rice served in a container called an ohitsu, and the name is a registered trademark of Atsuta Horaiken.
Fresh eel is grilled over binchotan charcoal for crispy skin and tender, fluffy meat.

In 2021, “Kusanagi Hiroba” opened near the Second Torii Gate in the central area of Atsuta Jingu’s grounds.
With walking paths developed around a pond, it has become a popular place for visitors to relax and unwind.
Miya Kishimen (Jingu Branch), which originated at Atsuta Jingu and had long operated within the grounds, was also renovated to coincide with the plaza’s completion.
In a refreshing setting surrounded by deep greenery, you can fully enjoy the flavors of this long-established shop.
In a clean, covered open-air space, you can choose from a wide range of kishimen dishes, including the classic “Miya Kishimen.”

A sweets café located right by the west exit of Meitetsu Jingu-mae Station, the gateway to Atsuta Jingu.
It’s a directly operated shop of the long-established Japanese confectioner Kiyome Mochi Sohonke, with nearly 90 years of history since opening in 1935. The retro interior is always lively with locals and worshippers.
The specialty is “Kiyome Mochi,” known by phrases like “Kiyome Mochi for an Atsuta visit” and “Kiyome Mochi as a Nagoya souvenir.”

A strolling Japanese garden with a pond, designed with the geography of the Chubu region in mind.
Covering 3.7 ha, it’s one of the largest gardens in the Tokai region.
With a built-up hill representing Mt. Ontake, it depicts the Kiso River flowing from its source down to the gorge at Nezame-no-Toko, capturing the natural beauty of the Chubu region.
The scenery where the Kiso River becomes calm and branches into the Ibi River and Nagara River is expansive, and it’s fun to stroll the garden while letting your imagination run.

One of Japan’s largest castles, built in the early Edo period by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Edo shogunate.
At the top of the castle keep, two golden shachihoko (mythical tiger-fish) shine, making it a symbol of Nagoya.
The Honmaru Palace, built in 1615 as the lord’s residence and a place of government, is also well worth seeing.
At its predecessor, Nagono Castle, Oda Nobunaga is said to have spent his childhood.

One of the kofun (ancient burial mounds) designated as a National Historic Site within the “Shidami Kofun Group,” located at the easternmost edge of Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.
Built in the early 4th century using the edge of a river terrace along the Shonai River, it’s one of the oldest keyhole-shaped kofun in the prefecture.
It measures Approx. 115 m in length, with a rear circular portion Approx. 75 m in diameter and a front portion Approx. 43 m long, making it the third-largest keyhole-shaped kofun in the prefecture.

A hotel directly connected to Sasashima-raibu Station, one stop from Nagoya Station on the Nagoya Rinkai Rapid Railway Aonami Line.
With the concept of a “floating sky boat,” all guest rooms are on the high floors from the 32nd to 36th, offering panoramic views of Nagoya’s night scenery. Watching trains depart and arrive at Nagoya Station from above can feel like looking at a diorama.

A hotel located in JR Central Towers.
From the guest rooms and restaurants on floors 15–52, you can take in sweeping views of Nagoya’s cityscape.
It offers a variety of room types, including a concierge floor and suites for a premium stay, as well as family rooms for groups of 3–4.
All rooms feature spacious layouts with a strong sense of luxury.

A refined hotel with a resort-like, getaway feel, despite being within walking distance of JR Nagoya Station and Approx. a 3-minute walk from Sasashima-raibu Station on the Aonami Line.
In the “Cabana Garden” courtyard overlooking a grand cathedral, you can spend open, relaxing time by the water while enjoying a pleasant breeze.
In the sophisticated guest rooms, thoughtfully chosen facilities and amenities—such as nano water, rain showers, and down comforters—promise a comfortable stay.