Photo: Bariston / CC BY-SA 4.0Atsuta Jingu holds the Kusanagi, the sacred sword that is one of the three treasures of the imperial throne. The sword is not shown. What you see is a forest shrine in the middle of the city: a long approach under the trees, the Nobunaga wall Oda Nobunaga gave after Okehazama in 1560, and a camphor tree said to be more than 1,000 years old.
The Kusanagi-kan, opened in 2021, holds about 450 swords offered to the shrine, in glass cases you can walk around, with two huge odachi on permanent display. From 30 October to 24 November the Treasure Hall shows contemporary Tokai swordsmiths. With a kishimen lunch in the grounds, this is the most compact half day in Nagoya.
Five things the plaques won't tell you
- On Tuesday 10 November, Atsuta Horaiken's Jingu-ten by the south gate is closed. Its Honten is open on Tuesdays; lunch last order is 14:00.
- The subway stop once called Jingu-nishi is now Atsuta Jingu Nishi. Meitetsu's Jingu-mae is the closest station, 3 minutes away.
- Buy the ¥800 combined ticket before 15:30 if you want both the Kusanagi-kan and the Treasure Hall.
- On Saturday 28 November the Treasure Hall has a new corner exhibition from 27 November, and Shirotori Garden nearby (¥300) stays open to 20:00 for its autumn light-up. The ship sails at 19:00, so the light-up is only a stretch.
- Carry some cash for the shrine's amulets and small stalls.
With a kishimen lunch in the grounds, this is the most compact half day in Nagoya.
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Open the guide →Questions people ask here
Can you see the Kusanagi sword at Atsuta Jingu?
No. The sword is the sacred object of the shrine and is not displayed. The Kusanagi-kan shows about 450 swords offered to the shrine, and the Treasure Hall holds more than 6,000 items.
How much is Atsuta Jingu?
The grounds are free. The Treasure Hall and the Kusanagi-kan cost ¥500 each for adults, or ¥800 for both, sold until 15:30. Both open 9:00–16:30, last entry 16:00.
How do I get to Atsuta Jingu from Kinjo Pier?
Aonami Line to Nagoya (24 min, ¥360), then Meitetsu to Jingu-mae, about 8 minutes by limited express in a route planner, and 3 minutes on foot. A taxi from the berth is about 13.9 km, roughly ¥6,200 by our estimate.