< Famous sightseeing spots>
Atsuta-ku
Åô Atsuta Shrine Åô
Atsuta Shrine, familiarly
known as Atsuta sama (Venerable Atsuta) or Miya (the Shrine) ,
has been one of the greatest centers of worship in Japan from
ancient times. Visitors to the shrine,
including those who practice
the conventional New Year visit, now number nine million annually.
The enshrined deity Atsuta-no-Ookami
(Atsuta God ) is Amaterasu-Oomikami as represented
by the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-tsurugi
(sword of Kusanagi), one of the three sacred treasures
that symbolize the Imperial
throne. The tradition says that this great god, by the divine
decree
of the god of creation, Amatsu-mioya-no-Mikoto
(heavenly-Father-God), manifested for the first
time the way of gods to this
world and blessed mankind with the virtue of love.
Å@ÅôMiya-no-watashiÅô
Å@
This arrival place for ships
prospered as a sea entrance of Owari-han (Owari Bay) in medieval
times. Between Miya (Atsuta) and Kuwana had become the only marine
route and many people and ships used there. A shipping office
and customs house was built there in 1625. The place is now the
Miya-no-watashi park and the whole place is restored to show the
old atmosphere.
ÅôShiratori ancient tombÅô (lower picture)
A keyhole-shaped mound with
a full length of about 74m. It was constructed at the beginning
of the 6th century. Although it was considered to be the grave
of Yamato-takeru-no-mikoto from ancient times, it is now considered
Mr.Owari's grave by investigation. But it doesn't remain in its
original form now.