Atsuta-jingū

Built in the third century, this beautiful temple is one of Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines. Inside are more than 4000 objects, including koshinpoh (sacred garments), swords, Bugaku (ancient court dance) masks, documents, furniture and household articles. Even if you've been before, it's worth going again: new objects are put on display every month.

The Shrine is said to house the kusanagi-no-tsurugi (sacred sword - literally, the 'grass-cutting sword'), one of the sanshu no jingi, three regalia that were, according to legend, handed down to the imperial family by the goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami.

The other two sacred items are the curved jewels at the imperial palace in Tokyo and the sacred mirror housed at Ise Jingū. You won't be able to view the regalia, but don't feel left out; no-one but the emperor and a few selected Shintō priests ever get to see them.