What to know
Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮, Atsuta Jingū) is one of Shinto's most important shrines. It enshrines the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and stores the sacred sword Kusanagi, which is one of the three imperial regalia. Note, however, that the sword is never displayed to the public.
Atsuta Shrine stands in a pleasant, wooded park in southern Nagoya. During the Meiji Period, the shrine's buildings were remodeled after the Ise Shrines in the purely Japanese Shinmei-zukuri architecture style.
Visitors can learn more about the shrine's relation to swords at the Kusanagi-kan, a museum that was newly opened in 2021. The interestingly designed museum hall exhibits over a dozen historical swords of various sizes out of the shrine's large collection and also lets visitors lift some sample swords in a hands-on corner.
In addition to the Kusanagi-kan and not far from it, there is also a more old-fashioned treasure house with more swords and other shrine-related documents and objects on display.
A pleasant thing to round off the visit is to try the shrine's version of kishimen noodles, one of Nagoya's local specialties. A restaurant serving the noodle soup dish is found next to the Kusanagi-kan.
Take the Meitetsu Nagoya Line from Nagoya Station to Jingumae Station (5 minutes, 250 yen), from where the shrine can be reached in a three minute walk.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Atsuta Jingu
- Original name
- Atsuta Shrine
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.