This shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu - the sun goddess in Shintoism, from whom it is said that all the emperors of Japan are descended. This spiritual shrine is the second most revered shrine in Japan after Ise Shrine. It is located in a park to which the beauty of the trees and the rarity of the species confer a great majesty. The shrine was built in the year 86 to house the sacred sword Kusanagi no tsurugi (the two-edged sword that mows grass), which unfortunately is not on public display. This sword represents one of the three imperial attributes (which are the mirror, the great ring of eight elements and the two-edged sword). It was given by Amaterasu Ōmikami to a clan leader of Japan, Takeru Yamato, who is considered the first federator of Japan. The latter escaped an ambush after cutting the flaming grass with the sacred sword. The shrine has the same architectural features as the shrines of Ise. A sacred compound, Nakanoe, surrounds the main building, the Hon-gū, and a secondary shrine. In the park are arranged several tea pavilions.

To the east of the park is the Bunka den (open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, except the last Wednesday and Thursday of the month. Entrance fee: 300 ¥) where the treasure of the shrine is displayed. There is a beautiful collection of bugaku masks. On the other side of Hori-kawa river is the pleasant traditional Shirotori garden with a teahouse (open from 9am to 4:30pm, except on Monday. Entrance fee).