The great torii at the north entrance
Sumiyoshi Taisha North Great Torii Gate (住吉大社北大鳥居, kita-ōtorii) is an early Edo-period stone torii at the start of the northern approach to Sumiyoshi Taisha in Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/05/10. It was moved to this spot in the early Meiji period. It is 5.7 metres wide and 6.5 metres high.
This is the torii for anyone entering from the north side road. Plenty of visitors who know the West Great Torii well never pass under this one, yet it is the nearer entrance for the shrine office and for Daikai Shrine.
One of four torii marking the boundary
It is a Myōjin torii of the same form as the West Great Torii, built a size smaller. It matches the east and south great torii in scale, and the official description explains that the four together mark off the four sides of the precinct. It calls this one the core of the northern face of the grounds.
The numbers are worth a look. The Sumiyoshi Taisha North Great Torii Gate is narrower than the west gate (5.7 metres against 6.1 metres) yet slightly taller (6.5 metres against 6.4 metres). It shares its 5.7-metre span with the south torii, but the two differ in height by about 10 centimetres. Torii described as "the same size" turn out to differ when measured, the kind of variation you expect when each stone frame was set up by hand.
The national database records that it was made in the early Edo period and moved here in the early Meiji period. Those were years of upheaval for the shrine: the Buddhist temple in the grounds was dismantled and the precinct was cut back. The move may belong to that reorganisation, but the records available do not say why it was moved.
What to look for, and visiting
Through the Sumiyoshi Taisha North Great Torii Gate the path runs south along the northern side approach toward the arched bridge and the main sanctuary. The sacred horse stable stands close by, and Daikai Shrine and its buildings lie in the northern part of the grounds, an easy first stop for anyone coming this way.
Standing on the edge of the grounds, the torii can be seen at any time; walk through during opening hours. The outer gates close at 4:00 p.m., so check the time if you arrive from the north late in the day. Full opening hours and directions are on the Sumiyoshi Taisha page.
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Q&A
- Where is the Sumiyoshi Taisha North Great Torii Gate?
- At the northern entrance to the grounds, the closest way in for the shrine office and Daikai Shrine.
- How does the North Great Torii differ from the West Great Torii?
- Both are stone Myojin torii, but the north one is narrower at 5.7 metres and slightly taller at 6.5 metres.
- When was the Sumiyoshi Taisha North Great Torii Gate built?
- The national database dates it to the early Edo period and records that it was moved to its present spot in the early Meiji period.
- How many great torii does Sumiyoshi Taisha have?
- Four, on the west, north, south and east, which together mark the boundary of the precinct.
- When was the North Great Torii registered?
- It was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/05/10.
Basic Information
| Name | Sumiyoshi Taisha North Great Torii Gate (住吉大社北大鳥居) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 27-747 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/05/10 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Stone; 5.7 metres wide, 6.5 metres high |
| Owner | Sumiyoshi Taisha (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Stands at the north entrance; no charge |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Sumiyoshi Taisha North Great Torii Gate
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012421
- Osaka Prefecture — Designation report on Sumiyoshi Taisha, with a list of its protected buildings (Japanese)
- https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/documents/26540/01_sumiyoshitaisya_sitei.pdf
- Sumiyoshi Taisha official site — Access
- https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/access/
Last verified: 2026.10.01
