Nagoya, Japan Shrine Visit Report 2026 Midori No.1 Hikami Anego Jinja Part 1
Hikami Anego Shrine in Nagoya — An Ancient Shrine Closely Connected With Atsuta Jingu
On August 11, 2026, I drove to Hikami Anego Shrine in Odaka-cho, Midori Ward, Nagoya.
A large wooden torii gate stands at the entrance to the shrine. The parking area is beyond this gate, but I never expected that I was supposed to drive my car through the torii to reach it.
I felt uncomfortable driving a car through a torii gate and assumed there must be another entrance to the parking area. Because of this, I drove around the shrine several times looking for another way in.
During this search, I became lost and even ended up at another shrine that I had not originally planned to visit.
Eventually, I realized that the parking area really was beyond the torii gate. I drove through it and was finally able to visit Hikami Anego Shrine.
Once inside, the route from the roadside entrance toward the shrine buildings passes through dense woodland. Tall wooden lanterns line the approach, and another torii gate stands before the main shrine area.
Hikami Anego Shrine is an auxiliary shrine of Atsuta Jingu located outside Atsuta Jingu's main precincts. Its principal deity is Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto. The shrine is closely connected with Yamato Takeru, the Kusanagi Sword, and the traditional origins of Atsuta Jingu.
Photographic Record of Hikami Anego Shrine
001 Wooden Torii Gate That Vehicles Pass Through
This is the roadside entrance to Hikami Anego Shrine. The approach continues beyond the large wooden torii gate. I did not expect the parking area to be reached by driving through this gate, so I drove around the shrine several times looking for another entrance. In the end, this was the route I needed to take.
002 Stone Monument Explaining the History of Hikami Anego Shrine
Near the entrance is a large black stone monument explaining the history of Hikami Anego Shrine. Its inscription describes Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto, Yamato Takeru, the Kusanagi Sword, and the shrine's connection with the origins of Atsuta Jingu.
003 Woodland Approach and Tall Wooden Lanterns
The road continues through the trees toward the parking area. Numerous tall wooden lanterns stand along both sides. Although this is only a short distance from the roadside entrance, the large trees make the surroundings look very different. This area also serves as the shrine parking area.
004 Shrine Buildings Seen Through the Torii Gate
Farther along the approach stands another wooden torii gate. The shrine buildings are visible directly beyond it, creating a clear central axis. Stonework and stone fencing stand on both sides.
005 Shrine Buildings of Hikami Anego Shrine
These are the shrine buildings of Hikami Anego Shrine. The present main sanctuary was transferred here in 1893 from Betsugu Hakken-no-miya, one of the separately enshrined sanctuaries of Atsuta Jingu.
006 Information Signs at Hikami Anego Shrine
Information signs within the grounds explain Hikami Anego Shrine in both Japanese and English. They describe the connection between Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto, Yamato Takeru, and the Kusanagi Sword. A marker for the Nobunaga Koro historical route also stands nearby.
007 Purification Pavilion and Large Stone Basin
A large wooden purification pavilion stands within the shrine grounds. Beneath its substantial roof and wooden columns is a large rectangular stone purification basin.
008 Large Stone Basin Inscribed “Sacred Water”
This is a closer view of the stone basin. The large Japanese characters on the front read “Mizu Misogi,” meaning “Sacred Water.” A dragon-shaped water spout is installed on the right side, and several wooden ladles rest across the top. This was one of the most noticeable stone features I photographed during the visit.
About Hikami Anego Shrine
| Name | Hikami Anego Shrine |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-3 Hikamiyama, Odaka-cho, Midori Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan |
| Principal Deity | Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto |
| Relationship to Atsuta Jingu | An auxiliary shrine of Atsuta Jingu located outside its main precincts |
| Traditional Foundation | Traditionally said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Chūai, traditionally counted as the 14th emperor of Japan |
| Relocation to Present Site | 690 |
| Present Main Sanctuary | Transferred in 1893 from Betsugu Hakken-no-miya at Atsuta Jingu |
| Main Features Observed | Wooden torii gates, tall wooden lanterns, stonework, stone fencing, historical monument, purification pavilion, and large stone purification basin |
Deities and Sacred Traditions Connected With Hikami Anego Shrine
| Deity / Sacred Object | Overview |
|---|---|
| Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto | The principal deity of Hikami Anego Shrine. She is traditionally described as the consort of Yamato Takeru. |
| Yamato Takeru | According to tradition, Yamato Takeru stayed in this area while returning from his eastern campaign and was united with Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto. |
| Kusanagi Sword | After the death of Yamato Takeru, Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto is said to have enshrined the Kusanagi Sword in this area before it was later moved to Atsuta. |
Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto, the Kusanagi Sword, and the Origins of Atsuta Jingu
Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto, the principal deity of Hikami Anego Shrine, is traditionally described as the consort of Yamato Takeru.
According to shrine tradition, Yamato Takeru stopped in this area while returning from his campaign in eastern Japan and was united with Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto.
After Yamato Takeru's death, Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto is said to have enshrined the Kusanagi Sword here.
The sword was later moved to Atsuta and enshrined there. This tradition is connected with the foundation of what became Atsuta Jingu.
Hikami Anego Shrine is therefore more than simply an auxiliary shrine of Atsuta Jingu. Its traditions are directly connected with the story of Atsuta Jingu's origins.
Relocation to the Present Site in 690
Hikami Anego Shrine was not originally located at its present site.
According to tradition, the shrine was founded during the reign of Emperor Chūai, traditionally counted as the 14th emperor of Japan, and was relocated to its present location in 690.
The earlier sacred site is traditionally associated with the residence of Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto's father.
From “Hikami” Written With Fire to “Hikami” Written With Ice
The history of the shrine is also reflected in the names of the surrounding area.
In earlier times, this area was known as “Hikami,” written with the Japanese character for “fire.”
According to shrine tradition, the shrine buildings were damaged by fire in 1382. After the fire, the character meaning “fire” was avoided, and the name Hikami was rewritten using the character meaning “ice.”
At the same time, the old place name Hidaka, which also used the character for “fire,” is said to have been changed to the present name Odaka.
The modern names Hikami and Odaka therefore preserve traces of these older place names.
The Present Main Sanctuary Was Moved Here in 1893
The present main sanctuary was transferred to Hikami Anego Shrine in 1893 from Betsugu Hakken-no-miya at Atsuta Jingu.
This means that not only the shrine's traditions but also the present sanctuary building itself has a direct connection with Atsuta Jingu.
A Woodland Approach Lined With Tall Wooden Lanterns
One of the things that stood out during my visit was the amount of woodland within the shrine grounds.
After passing through the entrance torii, the road continues beneath large trees, with tall wooden lanterns lining both sides.
Another torii gate stands farther inside, with the shrine buildings beyond it.
Although the entrance is close to a public road, the surrounding urban landscape quickly disappears from view as you move deeper into the grounds.
Large Stone Purification Basin Inscribed “Sacred Water”
The stone feature that caught my attention most during this visit was the large purification basin beneath the wooden pavilion.
The front is deeply carved with the Japanese characters “Mizu Misogi,” meaning “Sacred Water.”
A dragon-shaped water spout is installed on the right side, and wooden ladles are arranged across the basin.
Among the stone features photographed for this part of the article, this large basin was the most prominent.
Historical Timeline of Hikami Anego Shrine
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Ancient period | According to tradition, Hikami Anego Shrine was founded during the reign of Emperor Chūai, traditionally counted as the 14th emperor of Japan. |
| 690 | The shrine was relocated to its present site. |
| 1382 | After a fire damaged the shrine buildings, the character meaning “fire” in the name Hikami was replaced with the character meaning “ice.” The old place name Hidaka is also said to have been changed to Odaka. |
| 1893 | The main sanctuary of Betsugu Hakken-no-miya at Atsuta Jingu was transferred to Hikami Anego Shrine and became the present main sanctuary. |
| Today | Hikami Anego Shrine continues to enshrine Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto as an auxiliary shrine of Atsuta Jingu located outside its main precincts. |
The Parking Area Beyond the Torii Gate
When I saw the large wooden torii gate at the entrance on August 11, 2026, I did not expect that the parking area was reached by driving through it.
I therefore drove around the shrine several times looking for another entrance and became lost along the way.
Once I finally drove through the torii, the road led through the wooded grounds, past rows of tall wooden lanterns, and toward the parking area and shrine buildings.
This article records the shrine grounds, buildings, historical monument, woodland approach, and the large stone purification basin inscribed “Sacred Water” as I saw them on August 11, 2026.
There is also a Part 2 of my record of Hikami Anego Shrine.
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Recorded on August 11, 2026
Written on August 12, 2026