Atsuta Shrine, Nagoya (must see)

Atsuta Shrine is a Shinto shrine traditionally believed to have been established during the reign of Emperor Keikō (71-130) located in Atsuta-ku. The shrine is familiarly known as Atsuta-Sama (Venerable Atsuta) or simply as Miya (the Shrine). Since ancient times, it has been especially revered, ranking with the Great Shrine of Ise.

The 200,000 m² shrine complex draws over 9 million visitors annually. The Kojiki explains that Atsuta Shrine was originally founded to house the Kusanagi no Tsurugi. According to traditional sources, Yamato Takeru died in the 43rd year of Emperor Keiko's reign. The possessions of the dead prince were gathered together along with the sword Kusanagi; and his widow venerated his memory in a shrine at her home. Sometime later, these relics and the sacred sword were moved to the current location of the Atsuta Shrine.

From 1872 through 1946, the Kasuga Shrine was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha, meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines. The shrine's buildings were maintained by donations from a number of benefactors, including well-known Sengoku period figures like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Tokugawas. The shrine's Bunkaden, or treasure hall, houses over 4,000 relics, which include 174 Important Cultural Properties and a dagger that is a designated National Treasure of Japan. A number of donated swords, mirrors and other objects are held by the shrine, including Bugaku masks and other material associated with ancient court dances.