Visit on the 1st of every month,  "Atsuta Tsuitachi Mairi"! - Recommended spots at Atsuta Jingu Shrine

Atsuta Jingu Shrine is one of Nagoya's representative power spots, but did you know that on the 1st of every month, the shrine is visited on the first day of the month for the Atsuta Tsuitachi Mairi (first day visit), and the "Tsuitachi Market" is held?

This time, we will introduce the highlights of Tsuitachi Market and the attractions of Atsuta Jingu that we would like you to know again!

Atsuta Jingu is located in Atsuta Ward, Nagoya City, in a forest called Atsuta no Mori. It is an old shrine that has been around for over 1900 years and is affectionately known as "Atsuta-san" by the locals. It is also known as a power spot because Kusanagi no Tsurugi, one of the three sacred treasures, is enshrined as an object of worship.

There are three entrances, the "East Gate", "West Gate", and "Main Gate (South Gate)", and you can visit from anywhere. This time, we officially entered from the "main gate".

What is Tsuitachi Mairi?

Have you ever heard the word "Tsuitachi Mairi"? There are certain days when it is said to be good to visit a shrine, and generally the 1st and 15th of each month are said to be good times to visit.

Let's go to "Atsuta Tsuitachi Market" after visiting the first day of the month

When I was walking in the precincts, the approach was crowded with "Atsuta Tsuitachi Ichi (Atsuta Firstday Market)". Tsuitachi Ichi is a bit different from other marches and morning markets.

That is, the best of Nagoya's famous shops have set up stands here. The event started on October 1, 2015, when Atsuta Houraiken, Miya Kishimen, Kiyome Mochi Sohonke, Kameya Yoshihiro, Myoko-en, Oya Kamaboko, Nagoya Gakuin University, and NPO Horikawa Machi Net held the "Atsuta Tsuitachi Ichi" to promote the local Atsuta Jingu Shrine. The market has been held every month since March 2016.

Today, more than 20 of Nagoya's best-known and most prestigious shops and restaurants have opened their doors.

Here, you can enjoy “Miso Nikomi Udon” and “Skewed Miso Katsu” made by Yamamotoya, which is famous for miso nikomi udon.

From the Japanese confectionery shop "Kameya Yoshihiro", Tsuitachi Ichi limited products were also sold. There are also other attractive lineups such as Houjicha Latte from Myokoen and fried chicken from Atsuta Horaiken.

Let's get "Atsuta Miya Mochi"

If you go on the 1st, be sure to get your hands on the "Atsuta Mochi", which is only available at the Atsuta Tsuitachi Ichi. Every month, 500 of these popular items are sold out immediately. Numbered tickets are distributed from around 10:00 a.m., so it is recommended to get one before visiting the market!

Atsutamiya Mochi 1,000 yen

This is the Atsuta Miyamochi that we got. It is a very valuable Japanese confectionery that four companies, "Atsuta Horaiken", "Kiyome Mochi Sohonke", "Myokoen" and "Kameya Yoshihiro" collaborated. Kameya Yoshihiro's "An" is kneaded with Myokoen's "Tea", wrapped in Kiyome Mochi's "Habutae Mochi", and served with Atsuta Horaiken's Mitarashi-flavored "Special Sauce". The top two change every month according to the season, and the bottom three are standard. Once you receive your numbered ticket, be sure to pick it up between 11:00 and 12:00.

Please visit the Atsuta Tsuitachi Ichi Market in conjunction with the Tsuitachi visit! On the morning of the first day of each month, people visit shrines to thank for a safe and successful month and pray for peace and safety in the new month. There is no particular difference from the usual visit to the shrine, but by resetting your mind at the beginning of each month, you will be able to start the next month with a fresh mind.

Recommended spots at Atsuta Shrine

From here, we will introduce spots that you should definitely visit when visiting Atsuta Jingu.

① "Big camphor (seven camphor trees)"

There are various trees growing in the precincts, but the most famous one is “Okusu (Nanakusu)”. The location is just north of the Chozuya (purification fountain). The tree is over 1000 years old and is said to have been planted by Kukai himself. It is cherished as a sacred tree of Atsuta Shrine.

There are many other camphor trees planted in the precincts, but among them, the seven huge trees are called "Nanabon Kusu". Only three can be seen by the general public, and the remaining four are in places where worshipers cannot enter.

②Main Shrine

No matter what you say, you can't miss the visit to the main shrine. In the main shrine, one of the three sacred treasures, "Kusanagi no Tsurugi (Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi)" is enshrined as Atsuta Okami.
Legend has it that this sword came out from the tail of Susano-no-Mikoto when he slayed Yamata no Orochi in Izumo.

The ema is star-shaped and very cute. On the front is a picture of a swan with the motif of the swan legend.

One of the most popular amulets is the "Shirotori-mamori" (swan protection). It is said that one of the deities of the shrine, Yamatotakeru no mikoto, turned into a swan and flew into the sky when he passed away. In honor of this legend, the "Shirotori Mamori" is in the shape of a lovely swan. It is also called "Ai-mamori," or "love charm," and is said to bring good luck and happiness, to bring good luck in marriage, and to ensure safe delivery.

③ Kokoro no Komichi

Even those who visit Atsuta Shrine often don't know about the Kokoro no Komichi (The path of the heart ). It is also the most sacred place in Atsuta Shrine. Kokoro no Komichi encircles the main shrine, and you can enter from the left side of the main shrine and the path behind the right side of the Kaguraden.

Passage time is from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

If you actually go there, you'll understand that the forest has a more mysterious and solemn atmosphere than you can imagine. It was originally closed to the public and opened to the public in 2012.

④Shimizu Shrine

Shimizu Shrine is located in the middle of Kokoro no Komichi. It has been affectionately called "Oshimizu-sama" since ancient times. It enshrines "Mizuhanome no Kami", the god of eyes and the god of water.

Legend has it that when Taira no Kiyomori suffered from an eye problem, he prayed at Shimizu Shrine and washed his eyes with the spring water, which cured the disease.

In the back, there is a "spring water" and a "stone pagoda" that is said to be Yang Guifei's tombstone. It is said that if you make a wish by pouring water over it with a ladle three times, it will come true.

In addition, it is said that if you wash your eyes with spring water, your eyes will improve, and if you wash your skin, your skin will become clearer.

⑤ Miya Kishimen Jingu Branch

Miyakishimen 650 yen

After visiting the shrine, we recommend the Miya Kishimen. There are two types of kishimen: the regular "Miya kishimen" with red soup and "osumashi kishimen" with white soy sauce-based soup. We had the regular Miya Kishimen this time. The soy sauce-based kishimen has a flavor of bonito that spreads in your mouth as soon as you take a bite. The noodles are also chewy and very tasty!

[Miyakishimen Jingu Branch]
Business hours: 9:00-16:30

⑥ Resting place, Kiyome Chaya

Matcha set 550 yen

When you want to take a short break, we recommend the resting place Kiyome Chaya (Kiyome Tea Place). Here, you can enjoy a set of Atsuta Jingu Shrine's famous Kiyome mochi and matcha green tea. Kiyome mochi is a popular confection made by wrapping carefully cooked strained bean paste in soft habutae mochi. The branding of "Kiyome" is cute, isn't it?

There are also terrace seats, so on a warm day, you can have a cup of tea outside while looking at the pond. You can also buy souvenirs in the store, so please stop by after visiting the shrine.

[Rest room/purifying teahouse]
Business hours: 9:30-16:30

This time, we introduced Atsuta Jingu Shrine. A shrine is not a place that grants wishes. It is a place to thank god every day for being healthy and peaceful, and a place to pledge your goals. Atsuta Jingu has many hidden charms, so whether you've been there or not, please come and visit.

Life Designs

2019.07.12

Not only Atsuta Shrine. Let's take a walk in Atsuta Ward!

https://life-designs.jp/webmagazine/atutasansaku

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