An earthen wall around the sanctuary
The Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall (今宮神社本殿築地塀, Imamiya Jinja Honden Tsuijibei) is an earthen wall of the late Meiji period (1898 to 1912) enclosing the rear and both sides of the Main Hall and Ekijinja Main Hall at Imamiya Shrine in Murasakino, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/03/27. It turns at the corners to run along the north, east and west, with a total length of 65.4 metres.
The main hall was rebuilt in 1902 and the Ekijinja hall followed around 1908. The Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall marks off that inner sanctuary, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs praises it as a high-quality wall that lends the precinct its dignity.
Five white lines and a hidden gate
The wall stands on a stone base under a gabled coping of tiles, partly in pantiles and partly in traditional round-and-flat tiles. At the centre of the north side is an uzumimon, a small doorway set into the thickness of the wall. On the inside, posts at every bay brace the wall.
Five white horizontal lines run along the plaster. Known as jogisuji, these are said to signal rank: the more lines, the higher the status, and five is the highest. They are a mark associated with the imperial palace and temples headed by imperial princes, and using them around the sanctuary was a clear statement of the shrine's standing.
What to look for, and visiting
Because the Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall encloses the sanctuary, you cannot go inside it. From the paths on the north, east and west you can see its outer face, with the five lines and the change in roof tiles.
The uzumimon at the centre of the north side is normally closed. To get a feel for the wall's length, walk north from around the kagura hall on the east side and follow it round. Directions are on the Imamiya Shrine page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Kyoto
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall
- [ Kinkakuji Fushimi Inari & Kimono Rental ]
Q&A
- When was the Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall built?
- In the late Meiji period (1898 to 1912), around the time the main hall was rebuilt.
- How long is the Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall?
- 65.4 metres, running along the north, east and west of the inner sanctuary.
- What do the white lines on the Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall mean?
- They are jogisuji. Five lines are said to mark the highest rank.
- Can I go inside the Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall?
- No. Its outer face can be seen from the grounds.
- Is there a gate in the Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall?
- Yes, a small uzumimon doorway at the centre of the north side, normally kept closed.
Basic Information
| Name | Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall (今宮神社本殿築地塀) |
|---|---|
| Location | 21 Imamiyacho, Murasakino, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 26-535 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/03/27 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen wall with gabled pantile and traditional tile coping; total length 65.4 metres |
| Owner | Imamiya Shrine (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Parts of the wall can be seen freely from the grounds (no charge); the enclosed sanctuary cannot be entered |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Imamiya Shrine Main Hall Tsukiji Wall
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012187
- Agency for Cultural Affairs — Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Structures), report of 2017/11/17 (Japanese)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/pdf/r1392281_21.pdf
- Kyoto City official travel guide — Imamiya Shrine (Japanese)
- https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=7&tourism_id=496
Last verified: 2026.10.01
