・What is Worship?
Atsuta Jingu is open 24 hours a day, so anyone can come anytime. You might be surprised to see people offering their prayers at night, but we hope you try too. It truly is a unique and special experience to look inward and realize your inner desires deep within the dark of night, without worrying about the gaze of others.

・What are the Rules?
As long as you follow the minimum etiquette, you can visit the shrine freely, during the day or night. The rules are as follows: Bow once before you enter through the torii gate, wash your hands at the chozuya, bow two times, clap two times, and finally bow one more time. Do these actions resonate differently when performed at night? While the shrine grounds are lit, please mind your step when walking around the precinct at night.


・The Story of the Kusanagi no Mitsurugi
The priests of Atsuta Jingu say that what’s truly important cannot be seen or put into text, so they value oral learning in the dark of night. We have texts such as the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, but there’s no guarantee that their words are true. The legend of the Kusanagi no Mitsurugi is an oral tradition, so interpret it as you see fit, allowing the evening atmosphere of Atsuta Jingu to push your imagination to its limits.


・Mori and Forest
You might notice the forest sky looks different at night as you walk along the approach. Japanese people have long considered forests sacred places with an equally sacred power that they experienced when they held prayers or festivals there, especially at night. How do you feel visiting the shrine at night?

・The Sound of Gravel
When you visit the shrine at night, take a moment to listen to the sound of gravel crunching under your feet. It’s the sound of purification. But the sound you may hear today is different than it used to be because they use different gravel than before. With thicker gravel taken from nearby rivers back then, I wonder what the gravel sounded like those days. Can you imagine it?


・The Great Camphor Tree at Night
You can see the Great Camphor Tree lit up at night, giving it a different appearance than during the day. Now close your eyes and see if you can feel the presence of the tree with your other senses. Human beings can sense “sound” up to 20 kilohertz, but from the trees at shrines, we receive even higher frequencies. Not with our ears, but with our skin -- we feel it with our whole body. Please continue to walk along the approach while sharpening all five senses.

・The Origin of Hatsumode
The tradition of Hatsumode, visiting a shrine on New Year’s Day, has been passed down since the Heian Period. It originated from an old custom of praying at a shrine all night, from the evening of New Year’s Eve to the morning of New Year’s Day. The morning is a continuation of the evening, as time is all connected. People back then must have felt the powerful connection of time and the presence of God when the first sunrise of the year appeared from beyond the horizon.


・The Ohoho Festival
Atsuta Jingu has a festival called Eyodoshinji, but it’s commonly referred to as the “Ohoho Festival.” Shinto priests gather at night and walk from shrine to shrine, picking up a smiling mask stored in the first shrine and hitting it with a folding fan. One priest says “Oho” and is followed by the playing of a flute, and everyone tilts their heads back and continues to make a laughing noise “Ohoho.” The finale and greatest laugh is at Seisetsu-mon, where they put the mask back in its box. They say this tradition started with the joy of the return of the stolen Kusanagi no Mitsurugi to Atsuta Jingu after 18 years.