Atsuta-jingu is a shrine with a deep history, and is known as a lucky spot. The shrine is located close to Nagoya’s city center, and is a convenient place to visit when exploring the Nagoya area.
The shrine is especially popular during the New Years season, and people come from all over for hatsumode, a Japanese tradition of going to the shrine during the very beginning of the New Year.
Whether it’d be for hatsumode or during any time of the year, Atsuta-jingu is a must-visit in the Nagoya area.
History of Atsuta-jingu
Atsuta-jingu enshrines the deity Amaterasu-omikami and the Kusanagi-no-tsurugi, a holy sword that is one of the three legendary items belonging to Amaterasu-omikami.
The shrine was built 1,900 years ago, and has been revered as one of the top shrines nationwide. Atsuta-jingu has been loved by locals as a shrine of agriculture, as it lies in the fertile Nobi Plain area.
Nobunaga-bei wall
In 1377, the Nihon Shoki, the oldest historical book in Japan, was dedicated to the shrine. In 1560, the Nobunaga fence (shown above), a fence that the famous feudal lord Oda Nobunaga himself named, was dedicated. The shrine is home to national treasures and important historical artifacts.
In 1860, the shrine officially changed its name from Atsuta-jinja to Atsuta-jingu. The “jingu” name is only given to large shrines, usually ones with connections to the imperial family.
Sights to see
Here are some of the main sights at Atsuta-jingu Shrine.
Shimizu-sha
Shimizu-sha
The Shimizu-sha is a smaller shrine located in the Atsuta-jingu premise. It is said that the deity of water, Mizuha-no-mekami is enshrined here.
During the Heian period, (794 – 1185) Taira no Kagekiyo, a samurai of the Taira clan, is said to have washed his ailed eyes with the spring water at this temple and healed his eyes.
Even nowadays, the water here is said to help clear skin and give other benefits. One wish-making ritual you can experience here is to ladle the water and throw it onto the rock at the center.
Ichinomisaki-jinja
Ichinomisaki-jinja is considered to be the holiest shrine at Atsuta-jingu. Here, the deity Arami-tama is enshrined. Before, the shrine was closed off to the public, but it opened in 2012. Since the shrine is extremely sacred, photos are not allowed.
Ichinomisaki-jinja
About Arami-tama
The soul of a deity that has passed away is said to have two spirits, the Niki-tama and the Arami-tama. The Arami-tama represents anger and violence, while the Niki-tama represents harmony and peace.
The power of the Arami-tama is said to be so strong that it could linger its anger onto people. This might explain why photos are banned here.
Minami-shingu-sha
Minami-shingu-sha shrine is said to have benefits in health. It enshrines the deity Susano-ono-mikoto, and this is the only shrine in the premise that is colored vermillion.
There is a festival held here every year on June 5 for preventing summer sicknesses.
Minami-shingu-sha
Also on June 5, the Kencha-sai festival is held to celebrate tea. There are many festivals held at Atsuta-jingu year-round, and all have unique performances and meanings.
Events
Hatsu-Ebisu Festival (Jan.)
The Hatsu-Ebisu Festival celebrates business prosperity, family safety and a success in fishing and agriculture. The festival kicks off at midnight, and visitors rush to purchase the fuku-kumade, a lucky decorative rake to rake in the good luck.
You can also buy other lucky items, such as a lucky amulet with the deity Ebisu-sama on it, or the Fukumi, a dustpan to scoop and keep the luck entering your house.
Hatsu-Ebisu Festival
The festival is held at the Okuninushi-sha and Kotoshironushi-sha shrines.
Honensai Festival (May)
The Honensai Festival is held annually on May 8. Dioramas of a crop and a rice field handmade by the priest are displayed. People working in agriculture pray at this festival for a successful harvest.
During the festival, plants and crafts are sold at pop-up shops on Atsuta-jingu shrine’s grounds.
Honensai
The festival is held at the Honmiya and Nishigakusho areas.
Atsuta Festival (Jun.)
The Atsuta Festival is the most important and solemn festival at the shrine.
During the day, martial arts and performing arts stages are held on the shrine grounds. During the evening, from around 7:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., a fireworks display is held, with over 1,000 fireworks being shot up into the night sky.
The fireworks are held at Jingu Park, which is located about a 15-minute walk away from Atsuta-jingu. The nearest station to Jingu Park is Nishi Takakura Station.
Atsuta Festival
The festival is held throughout the Atsuta-jingu grounds and Jingu Park.
Access
Nearest station: Jingu-mae Station 神宮前駅
From Nagoya Station
【Nagoya Sta.】Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line Limited Express / for Toyohashi
→【Jingu-mae Sta.】→ about a 2-minute walk
From Kanayama Station
【Nagoya Sta.】Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line Limited Express / for Toyohashi
→【Jingu-mae Sta.】→ about a 2-minute walk
From Chubu Centrair Airport
【Centrair Airport Sta.】Meitetsu Airport Line μ Sky / for Shin-unuma
→【Jingu-mae Sta.】→ about a 2-minute walk
Lucky Trees
1000 year-old camphor tree
Right by miraculous waters of Shimizu-sha, you can find the 1000 year-old camphor tree. This tree is also a lucky spot at the shrine. There is another lucky tree that is said to be planted by the famous Buddhist monk Kobo-Daishi in the 700-800s.
At Atsuta-jingu Shrine, you can find many sacred and lucky sites to boost your luck.
Information
1-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi
052-671-4151
8:30a.m. - 4:00p.m.
Treasure Exhibit: Every last Wednesday and Thursday of the month; year-end holidays
Treasure exhibit: ・Adults: ¥300 ・Elementary and middle school students: ¥150
Unaccepted
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