The southern half of a matched pair

Sumiyoshi Taisha South Side Approach Kaku Torii Gate (住吉大社南脇参道角鳥居) is a stone torii built in 1919 at the start of the southern side approach, parallel to the main approach, at Sumiyoshi Taisha in Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka. It was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/05/10 and measures 4.6 metres wide by 5.1 metres high.

It stands just south of the West Great Torii, and with its twin on the north side it frames the shrine's main entrance. The official description calls the pair indispensable to the composition of the shrine's front.

A faithful copy of the Edo Kaku Torii

It follows the early Edo Kaku Torii in front of the Kojumon Gate: a stone Myōjin torii on broadly chamfered square pillars, with a tie beam passing through and two upswept lintels above. The Agency describes it as identical in size and form to the northern side-approach torii.

Yet the recorded height of the Sumiyoshi Taisha South Side Approach Kaku Torii Gate is 5.1 metres, against 5.0 metres for its twin; both are 4.6 metres wide. Ten centimetres is invisible to the eye, but looking for it is one way to spend a minute between the two.

The year 1919 fell in a period of improvement works at Sumiyoshi. The Shinkan Hall had been completed in 1915, the votive-tablet pavilions and the horse stable followed, and a landscaping programme for the grounds was completed in 1931. Setting a square-pillared torii on each side of the main approach belongs to that same effort to give the shrine a formal front.

What to look for, and visiting

Follow the south side approach east and it ends at the South Temizuya, a small purification pavilion with elaborate bracketing where visitors on this side wash their hands before going on to the sanctuaries.

The Sumiyoshi Taisha South Side Approach Kaku Torii Gate stands on the outer edge of the grounds and can be seen at any time; walk through during opening hours. There is no charge. Opening hours and directions are on the Sumiyoshi Taisha page.

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Q&A

QWhere is the Sumiyoshi Taisha South Side Approach Kaku Torii Gate?
AJust south of the West Great Torii, at the entrance to the southern side approach, paired with a twin on the north side.
QWhen was the South Side Approach Kaku Torii built?
AIn 1919. It was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/05/10.
QWhat does the South Side Approach Kaku Torii look like?
AIt is a stone Myojin torii on chamfered square pillars, copying the early Edo Kaku Torii in front of the Kojumon Gate.
QHow big is the Sumiyoshi Taisha South Side Approach Kaku Torii Gate?
AIt is 4.6 metres wide and 5.1 metres high, recorded as about 10 centimetres taller than its northern twin.
QWhat is at the end of the south side approach?
AThe South Temizuya, a small purification pavilion where visitors can wash their hands before going on to the main halls.

Basic Information

NameSumiyoshi Taisha South Side Approach Kaku Torii Gate (住吉大社南脇参道角鳥居)
Location2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
DesignationNational Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 27-749
Year DesignatedRegistered 2018/05/10 (Heisei 30)
Quantity1 structure
DimensionsStone; 4.6 metres wide, 5.1 metres high
OwnerSumiyoshi Taisha (religious corporation)
Public AccessStands at the south side approach; no charge

References

Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Sumiyoshi Taisha South Side Approach Kaku Torii Gate
https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012423
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 — Architecture
https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/about/architect.html

Last verified: 2026.10.01