2022.11.29
Atsuta Jingu may be the most popular destination for visitors to Atsuta Ward, but there are lots of other places to discover as you explore. Here are a few places to visit and catch a glimpse of the long history of Atsuta and the role it has played in the story of Nagoya.
Atsuta Jingu (熱田神宮)
Atsuta Jingu (Atsuta Shrine) was established to enshrine the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-Mitsurugi (草薙神剣), one of the Three Sacred Treasures that form the Imperial Regalia. During the reign of the twelfth Emperor, Keiko (thought to have reigned 71-130 AD), Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto (日本武尊), the son of Emperor Keiko sent to pacify the east, left the sword at Hikamiyama, in present-day Odaka-cho, Midori Ward, but died at Nobono in present-day Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture. His wife, Miyasuhime-no-mikoto (宮簀媛命), had the sacred sword enshrined at Atsuta. Since then, while Atsuta Jingu has been greatly revered as an especially exalted shrine after Ise Jingu, it has also come to be affectionately referred to by locals as 'Atsuta-Sama' and 'Miya'. (宮 in 神宮 [jingu] can also be read as 'miya'.)
Spanning around 190,000 square meters, the precinct is home to a number of great trees including a thousand-year-old great camphor tree, and a Treasure Exhibition Hall where some 6,000 items, offerings from the Imperial family and worshippers from throughout the country, are stored and displayed in monthly exhibitions, giving an insight into the history of worship at Atsuta.
In addition to the Hongu (Main Shrine) and the companion Betsugu-Hakkengu, there are 43 auxiliary and subordinate shrines located within and outside the Atsuta Jingu precinct, where more than 70 festivals and rituals are observed each year, carrying on the same sacred traditions of old to the present day.
The main deity enshrined at Atsuta Jingu is Atsuta-no-Okami, or the deity Amaterasu-Omikami as manifested in the sacred sword, Kusanagi-no-Mitsurugi. Amaterasu-Omikami, as the ancestral deity of the Imperial family, is revered as the supreme deity who granted human beings the virtue of love. The Five Great Deities of Atsuta (Amaterasu-Omikami, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto, Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto, and Takeinadane-no-Mikoto) have a strong connection to the legend of the sacred sword. Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto and Takeinadane-no-Mikoto are revered as distant ancestors of the Owari clan.
A treasure trove of swords - Kusanagi-kan (剣の宝庫 草薙館)
Photo courtesy of Atsuta Jingu
Given Atsuta Jingu's status as a shrine to Kusanagi-no-Mitsurugi, the sacred sword, it is not surprising that swords have been continuously presented as offerings to the shrine since long ago. Even today, the dedications of swords from donors could be said to indicate the strong reverence held towards Atsuta Jingu.
The collection of Atsuta Jingu includes 20 swords designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, and 12 swords recognized as Cultural Properties of Aichi Prefecture. Major sword smithing areas such as Yamashiro, Yamato, Sagami, Bizen, Chikuzen, Mino and Owari are represented, as are the historical sword making eras, from old swords through to modern.
Photo courtesy of Atsuta Jingu
The Kusanagi-kan is a display facility, only possible at Atsuta Jingu, for the exhibition of the shrine's collection of precious swords offered in prayer and gratitude to the deities, with glass showcases allowing visitors to view the exhibits from front and back. Among the permanent exhibits are two ōdachi (大太刀, very large long swords) measuring 303cm and 244.6cm in length, known as Magara-dachi and said to have been used by Magara Jūrōzaemon, a brave warrior known for his intense exploits during the Battle of Anegawa (1570).
Visitors can also view pictures and historical text materials related to swords, and experience the weight of actual Japanese swords (katana and wakizashi), and replicas of the same length and weight as the two Magara-dachi swords, at the Experience Corner.
When: 9:00 - 16:30; Last entry 16:00; Combined admission ticket to Treasure Hall available until 15:30.
Admission: Kusanagi-kan only - Adults 500 Yen; Elementary & Junior HS students 200 Yen. Combined admission to Treasure Hall - Adults 800 Yen; Elementary & Junior HS students 300 Yen. (Combined admission may be subject to change during special exhibitions, etc. at the Treasure Hall.)
Where: Atsuta Jingu (熱田神宮), Atsuta Ward (熱田区)
Access: A 3-minute walk from Jingū-mae Sta. 「( 神宮前」駅, NH33) on the Meitetsu Nagoya Line (名鉄名古屋本線); or an 8-minute walk from Atsuta Sta. ( 「熱田」駅, CA65) on the JR Tōkaidō Line (JR東海道線); or a 7-minute walk from Jingu Nishi Sta. ( 「神宮西」駅, M27. From 4 Jan. 2023, Atsuta Jingu Nishi Sta. [ 「熱田神宮西」駅].) on the Meijo Subway Line (地下鉄名城線).
Website: https://www.atsutajingu.or.jp/jingu/
Danpusan Kofun (断夫山古墳)
Photo courtesy of Atsuta Jingu Park Management Office
Danpusan Kofun is the largest keyhole-shaped tumulus in Aichi Prefecture, measuring 151 meters in length. The round section is thought to have been constructed with three tiers, with cylindrical haniwa clay objects arranged around the first tier.
Thought to have been constructed in the early 6th century, the tumulus is thought to be the grave of a chieftain of the Owari clan who controlled the southern part of Owari district.
The keyhole style of tumulus construction originated from the Yamato Administration, and the large size of the mound indicates the power held both by the buried chieftain, and by those who inherited his power.
Danpusan Kofun was managed as part of Atsuta Jingu for many years, but is now managed by Aichi Prefecture as an urban park. It was designated a national historic site in 1987.
Where: Danpusan Kofun (断夫山古墳), located in Atsuta Jingu Park (熱田神宮公園), Atsuta Ward (熱田区)
Access: A 5-minute walk south from Nishi Takakura Sta. ( 「西高蔵」駅, M28) Exit 2 on the Subway Meijo Line (地下鉄名城線), or a 10-minute walk north from Jingu Nishi Sta. ( 「神宮西」駅, M27. From 4 Jan. 2023, Atsuta Jingu Nishi Sta. [ 「熱田神宮西」駅].) Exit 4.
Shirotori Kofun (白鳥古墳)
Believed to have been constructed in the early 6th century, Shirotori Kofun is a 74-meter-long keyhole-shaped burial mound, although it no longer retains its original shape and dimensions, the eastern side having been lost as the surrounding area developed.
Legend has it that the mound is the tomb of Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto (see Atsuta Jingu, above), who is said to have transformed into a white bird (白 / shiro = white, 鳥 / tori = bird) and landed on this spot, hence the name by which the mound has come to be known. (Several other burial mounds in locations connected to Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto have similar associations to white birds.)
Like the Danpusan mound, Shirotori Kofun is also believed to be the last resting place of an Owari chieftan.
Where: Shirotori Kofun (白鳥古墳), Atsuta Ward (熱田区) Shirotori (白鳥) 1-2
Access: A 5-minute walk west from Jingu Nishi Sta. ( 「神宮西」駅, M27. From 4 Jan. 2023, Atsuta Jingu Nishi Sta. [ 「熱田神宮西」駅]) Exit 4.
Miya-no-Watashi Park (宮の渡し公園)
Miya-no-Watashi (lit. 'the crossing at Miya') was the only sea crossing, joining Miya (Atsuta Jingu) and Kuwana (in Mie), on the Tokaido route, and thrived as a gateway to the Owari Domain. A light post was erected here in 1625 as a guide to waterborne vessels at night.
The site is now maintained as Miya-no-Watashi Park, and reconstructions of the light post and the bell tower (originally used to announce the hour) remind visitors of the site's historical significance.
Where: Miya-no-Watashi Park (宮の渡し公園), Atsuta Ward (熱田区)
Access: A 10-minute walk southwest from Temma-cho Sta. ( 「伝馬町」駅, M26. From 4 Jan. 2023, Atsuta Jingu Temma-cho Sta. [ 「熱田神宮伝馬町」駅].) on the Subway Meijo Line (地下鉄名城線)
History Museum of Atsuta Shirotori (熱田白鳥の歴史館)
In former times, the area around present-day Shirotori Park in Atsuta was a large pond used for storing lumber. In the Edo period, lumber was felled from mountains including those of Kiso (Nagano) and Hida (Gifu), and floated down the Kiso and Hida rivers, taking some 300 days to reach Nagoya (Atsuta).
At the History Museum of Atsuta Shirotori, visitors can see photographs, replica picture scrolls, and film footage related to the history of the Shirotori lumber yard and the transportation of lumber to and from the site. You can also learn about forests and forestry, and the uses of timber.
When: 9:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 16:00 Mon. to Fri. (except national holidays, end of year / New Year period. *May also be closed at other times; see website for updates.)
Where: History Museum of Atsuta Shirotori (熱田白鳥の歴史館), located in Nagoya Branch Office, Chubu Regional Forest Office, Forestry Agency (林野庁中部森林管理局名古屋事務所); next to Shirotori Garden.
Access: A 10-minute walk west from Jingu Nishi Sta. ( 「神宮西」駅, M27. From 4 Jan. 2023, Atsuta Jingu Nishi Sta. [「熱田神宮西」駅].) on the Subway Meijo Line (地下鉄名城線)
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/chubu/nagoya/home/nag_rekishikan.html (Japanese)
Shirotori Garden (白鳥庭園)
With an area of around 3.7 hectares, Shirotori Garden is one of the largest pond-centered Japanese-style strolling gardens in the Tokai region. The garden's design draws inspiration from the topography of the region, with features including a man-made hill representing Mt. Ontake, a stream representing the Kisogawa River, and the pond symbolizing Ise Bay.
The Seiu-tei tea rooms, located almost in the center of the garden on the bank of the pond, were built in an authentic Sukiya architecture style through the close collaboration between Sukiya carpenters from Kyoto and Owari carpenters, using natural materials.
The Shioiri-no-niwa, a garden for enjoying the transformation in scenery caused by the ebb and flow of the tide, is an innovative feature incorporating modern technology. Enjoy the view as you partake in matcha and traditional sweets at the Shioiri teahouse.
When: 9:00 - 17:00 (Last entry 16:30) Closed Mondays (open if Monday is a national holiday, and closed the following business day).
Where: Shirotori Garden (白鳥庭園), Atsuta Ward (熱田区)
Access: A 10-minute walk west from Jingu Nishi Sta. (神宮西駅, M27) on the Subway Meijo Line (地下鉄名城線)
Admission: Adults 300 Yen; Seniors (Nagoya City residents aged 65 and over; proof of age required) 100 Yen; Children under 14 free.
Website: http://www.shirotori-garden.jp/english/index.html
Nagoya Congress Center (名古屋国際会議場)
Photo courtesy of Nagoya Congress Center
The Nagoya Congress Center is a multi-purpose convention center. The center was constructed as Shirotori Century Plaza, a themed pavilion for the World Design Exposition 1989, held to mark the 100th anniversary of Nagoya's city government.
On 28 April 1990, it became the central facility of Nagoya, the international convention city. The second stage of development from 1992 saw the addition of large-scale conference facilities, and the entire completed facility entered service in October 1994.
The Sforza Monument in the courtyard of the Nagoya Congress Center was originally exhibited in the Tokai Bank Pavilion at the exposition. Leonardo da Vinci was commanded by the Lord Ludovico of Milan to create the world's largest statue of General Francesco Sforza on horseback. By November 1493 he had completed a 7.2-meter clay model of the horse. Further work on the piece was interrupted by war; plans for bronze casting were abandoned, and the clay model later destroyed.
Reconstruction of the "phantom statue" for exhibition at the World Design Exposition began with the construction of a two-meter-high clay model based on the Madrid Codices discovered in 1967 and a number of remaining preparatory sketches. An enlarged model was created using computer technology, and molded in fiber reinforced plastic. This realization of Leonardo's abandoned vision is the only work of its kind in the world, brought into existence by Japanese research and technology.
Where: Nagoya Congress Center (名古屋国際会議場), Atsuta Ward (熱田区)
Access: A 5-minute walk from Nishi Takakura Sta. ( 「西高蔵」駅, M28) Exit 2 on the Subway Meijo Line (地下鉄名城線), or a 5-minute walk from Hibino Sta. (「日比野」駅, E02) Exit 1 on the Subway Meiko Line (地下鉄名港線)
Website: https://www.nagoya-congress-center.jp/
★For more things to see and do in Atsuta Ward, see the brochure ATSUTA, The True Heart of Japan.