Atsuta-jingū
Good for: a walk in the park
- Address
- 1-1-1 Jingū
- Transport
- Website
- Price
- admission free
- Hours
- 24hr
Lonely Planet review for Atsuta-jingū
Hidden among 1000-year-old cypress trees, the 1900-year-old Atsuta-jingū is one of the most sacred shrines in all of Shintō. It houses 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 sun goddess Amaterasu-Ōmikami. (The other two 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.
There is a small Treasure Hall, housing a changing collection of Tokugawa-era swords, masks and paintings, including some Important Cultural Properties.
The shrine is about three minutes' walk west from Jingū-mae Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya line, or five minutes' walk east from Jingū-nishi Station on the Meijō subway line.
Traveller reviews for Atsuta-jingū (1)
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a great walk in the park
btaniguchi recommends this,
atsuta has a great looking shrine. however, if you've been to kyoto and have seen some truly amazing and awe inspiring shrines, this might be a bit of a let down. don't let that fool you though, by western standards, this site is more of a park complex than a shrine. it makes for a great, leisurely walk in the afternoon.
be sure to take some extra time at the pond to check out the turtles and try to spot the massive coi fish that lurk beneath the water. be sure not to get too close, they seemed a bit agitated and ready to go at each other when i stopped by.
Good for: a walk in the park
