Nagata Shrine Corridor and Side Gate

A straight boundary between outer and inner grounds

Nagata Shrine Corridor and Side Gate (長田神社廻廊及び脇門, Nagata Jinja Kairo oyobi Wakimon) are the 1928 roofed corridors and side gate extending on either side of the Shinmon Gate of Nagata Shrine in Nagatacho, Nagata Ward, Kobe, and were registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on February 14, 2002. They are copper-roofed, with a building area of 60 square meters.

The corridor runs 4 bays west of the Shinmon Gate, and east of the talisman office it runs 4 bays on each side of the side gate. Together with the gate and the office it stands on a stone retaining wall, forming what the Agency for Cultural Affairs calls a straight sacred boundary between the outer grounds and the inner precinct.

Why the Nagata Shrine Corridor and Side Gate were registered

Registered as a model of form under number 28-0090, the corridor is 8 shaku deep, under a roof that slopes front and back. Its two sides differ. The north side, facing the inner precinct, is left open between the posts. The south side has boarding below and Renji-mado slatted windows above. From outside it reads as a wall; from inside, as an open colonnade. The boundary is expressed simply by where the wall is. The side gate is fitted with Sankarado, framed panel doors of the kind used at temple and shrine gates.

What to look for at the Nagata Shrine Corridor and Side Gate

Look at the Nagata Shrine Corridor and Side Gate from both sides. From the approach, slatted walls run straight out from the Shinmon Gate along the top of the stone wall. Inside, turn around and the same corridor shows its open north side, a row of posts rather than a wall. The side gate is east of the talisman office; according to the Agency, the kagura hall stands ahead and to the right once you pass through it, southeast of the worship hall. The corridor roofs were replaced along with the gate's in 1980.

Visiting the Nagata Shrine Corridor and Side Gate

The corridors face the visitor paths and can be viewed freely from both the outer grounds and the inner precinct. The open north side is seen from inside the precinct. For passage through the side gate, follow signs on site. Access and general visiting details are on the Nagata Shrine page.