Atsuta Jingu Shrine is a must visit spot when sightseeing in Nagoya. It is world famous as the home of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi sword, one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan.
However, you cannot actually see the sword itself. It is so sacred that even the Emperor and the high priest are not permitted to look at it. There are chilling legends that those who have dared to look at the Sacred Treasures fell ill or even lost their lives. This mystery of Shinto has been preserved for 1,900 years without anyone ever seeing the object, which is truly fascinating.
This historic shrine has been deeply revered as a major spiritual center of the nation since the Meiji era. When I visited around 8:00 AM on a Sunday, it was already bustling with worshippers, and by 9:00 AM, the crowds of tourists had made the atmosphere even more lively.
As you walk down the approach, you will find a panel exhibition tracing 1,900 years of history and mythology, which is well worth seeing. Passing through the torii gate, the main shrine (Hongu) comes into view. The roof features sword-like wooden beams called chigi and golden logs called katsuogi, a style known as Shinmei-zukuri, which is the same as the Ise Grand Shrine. The enshrined deity is Atsuta-no-Okami, and the Kusanagi sword is worshipped here as an avatar of the sun goddess Amaterasu.
A free volunteer guide
To dive deeper into the shrine’s secrets, I highly recommend asking a free volunteer guide. They will kindly explain the historical background for you.
The Houmotsukan (Treasure Museum) and the Kusanagikan (Sword Museum) are also must-see spots. I suggest spending at least 30 minutes at each.
The Houmotsukan
The Treasure Exhibition Hall opens at 9:00 AM and displays divine garments, powerful masks, and scrolls of the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan). The hand-copied Buddhist sutras in incredibly tiny script are breathtakingly beautiful and delicate.
I also enjoyed the charming story about the divine garments: they were made slightly larger because no one knew the exact size of the gods.
The Kusanagikan
The Kusanagikan, which also opens at 9:00 AM, is another highlight. Even if you are not an expert on swords, you will enjoy it. The exterior wall features a striking silhouette of Magara Jurozaemon, a legendary warrior who was said to be over 2 meters tall.
Inside, you will find massive Great Swords (Odachi) that are truly overwhelming, and a video corner where you can learn about myths like Yamata-no-Orochi and Yamato Takeru. The story of how the Kusanagi sword got its name—from “mowing down the grass” to escape a fire—is very interesting.
In the experience room, you can actually hold a sword and take photos. The replica of the giant sword used by Magara Jurozaemon is 3.4 meters long and weighs 10 kg, and its weight is surprising. It is hard to imagine the strength of the warring states period warriors who swung such massive weapons.
Admission is 500 yen for the Kusanagikan and 700 yen for the Treasure Exhibition Hall, but a 1,000 yen set ticket is a great deal if you visit both. Please come and experience the depth of Japanese spiritual culture at Atsuta Jingu, where history and myth truly live on.
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