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

Atsuta Ward is located in the central southern part of Nagoya City and is very convenient for transportation. It is also a city of history and culture, with Atsuta Shrine, Shirotori Garden, Horikawa River, and Dampsan Kofun. This time, we will introduce “recommended spots that can be explored within walking distance” centering on Atsuta Shrine in Atsuta Ward.

First, go to Atsuta Shrine

First, start from Atsuta Shrine. Atsuta Shrine 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.

It is crowded with more than 7 million people every year, and is revered and worshiped not only by locals but also by people from all over the country as a "hometown of the heart."

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.

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 Yamata no Orochi when Susano-no-Mikoto  slayed it in Izumo.

The star-shaped Ema is very cute.

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.

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

Atsuta Jingu Shrine has many charms, so whether you have ever been there or not, please visit there.

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[Atsuta Jingu Shrine]
Address: 1-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 456-8585
Admission to the Treasure Museum is from 9:00 to 16:30 (admission until 16:10)
https://www.atsutajingu.or.jp/jingu/

A must-try after visiting the shrine!
Nagoya's famous Hitsumabushi "Atsuta Horaiken"

After visiting Atsuta Jingu Shrine, the hitsumabushi from Atsuta Horaiken is what we want to eat even if we have to wait in line. Since its establishment in 1873 (Meiji 6), it boasts unwavering popularity among locals and tourists as the birthplace of hitsumabushi.

The fragrant eel, crispy on the surface and fluffy on the inside, is slowly grilled over binchotan charcoal with a secret sauce that has been used continuously since the establishment of the restaurant. They are especially proud of their "Hitsumabushi," which is finely chopped eel served on a bed of rice. The rice is soaked in the secret sauce and is so delicious that you will want to eat it again and again!

The first bowl of Hitsumabushi is eaten as is, the second bowl is topped with condiments, the third bowl is Ochazuke, and the fourth bowl is eaten the way you like it.

Eating it as it is is delicious, but adding yakumi (condiments) enhances the ingredients even more. The ochazuke (rice with green tea) with dashi broth is another exceptional dish! No matter how you eat it, it tastes so good that we almost fall over every time.

Horaiken is more than just Hitsumabushi. Unagi (eel) dishes such as grilled eel liver and Umaki are also excellent.

By all means, please visit Atsuta Horaiken after visiting Atsuta Jingu!

[Atsuta Horaiken Main Restaurant]
Address: 503 Kobe-cho, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya
Business hours: 11:30-14:00 (LO) 16:30-20:30 (LO)
Closed: Wednesdays, 2nd and 4th Thursdays (excluding holidays)

[Jingu Branch]
Address: 2-10-26 Jingu, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya
Business hours: 11:30-14:30 (LO) 16:30-20:30 (LO)
Closed: Tuesdays, 2nd and 4th Mondays (excluding holidays)

http://www.houraiken.com/

Showa Retro Shopping Street "Jingumae Shopping Street"

After visiting the shrine, let's go to Jingumae Shopping Street, which connects two stations, JR Atsuta Station and Meitetsu Jingumae Station.

Jingumae Shopping Street

Although Atsuta Jingu Shrine, which attracts about 7 million visitors a year, is right in front of this area, for some reason it has become a shuttered shopping street, but we have picked up a few nice stores to introduce to you.

Kiyome mochi is a specialty of Atsuta. This store has a tea corner, and there is a tea place called "Kiyome Saryo" at the back of the store.

In the cafe, you can enjoy standard drinks such as coffee and tea, Kiyome mochi and Matcha set, Anmitsu, and Zenzai. You can also add Kiyome mochi to your coffee.

[Kiyome Saryo]
Address: 3-4-12 Jingu, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya
Business hours: Shop 8:00-18:30 Cafe 8:30-18:30 (last order 18:00)
Regular holiday: Monday

Freshly baked bread shop "SUZUMEYA". An old fashioned bakery.

This is Bright Coffee Stand, a coffee stand that opened in June 2018. It is a small store with only an order counter inside, but it is an authentic coffee stand where you can enjoy specialty coffees.

Coffee beans can be selected from multiple production areas that change depending on the season, such as Ethiopia and Mexico. The degree of roasting also supports a wide range from light to dark. On this day, there were 6 types of Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Kenya, Decaf and Chocopresso. All coffee beans are also available for purchase. (100g / ¥600)

You can choose hand drip or French press and have it brewed.

Hand drip (Colombia) ￥430

The specialty coffee that is carefully brewed one cup at a time is exceptional. With a strong flavor and a refreshing aftertaste, this is a coffee that you will want to drink again.

【Bright Coffee Stand】
Address: 3-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi MAP
Business hours: 7:30-18:00 (Sat San 10:00-17:00)
Regular holiday: Monday
https://www.instagram.com/bright_coffee_stand/

Next, go to "POPO Nagoya 1st Store" next door.

A melon bread (melon pan) specialty store that is often introduced on TV. Although the name of the shop has "Kobe Motomachi", it is a shop that originated in Nagoya and has been loved by locals for 16 years. I'm sure many of you have seen them at mobile sales.

There are only two items on the menu: Melon Bread (￥150) and Melon Bread Rusk (￥100).

The cookie dough on the surface has a crispy finish with a crunchy texture, while the inside is soft and fluffy. While most melon breads have sugar on the surface, POPO's melon bread is topped with white condensed milk chocolate chips. The gentle sweetness is addictive and delicious.

[POPO Nagoya first store]
Address: 3-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi MAP
Business hours: 10:00-17:00 *Closes when sold out
Closed: Sundays, public holidays

https://www.facebook.com/melonpanpopo/