Atsuta Shrine Travel Guide

Atsuta Shrine has a strong spiritual atmosphere, a shrine complex that covers over 200,000 square meters. It’s said to have been established in the 1st century, so Atsuta Shrine has immense cultural and historical significance, built in dedication to the deity Atsuta no Okami, along with the “Five Great Gods of Atsuta.” It is also the prestigious home of the “Kusanagi no Tsurugi,” which means “grass-mowing sword,” one of the 3 Imperial Regalia, a sacred artifact that matches jewels inside Tokyo’s Imperial Palace and the mirrors of Ise Jingu Shrine in Ise City (the very shrine which Atsuta was remodelled after). Immersed within narrow trees and fine streams which weave along the forest floor, the pleasant grounds also feature many smaller shrines with colorful sake barrels stacked high, a festive gift to the gods. Pop into Atsuta Shrine’s local noodle restaurant after visiting for a bowl of special Atsuta-style kishimen, characteristic flat udon noodles that are a specialty dish in Nagoya.