Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors
The Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors (油日神社楼門及び廻廊, Aburahi Jinja Romon oyobi Kairo) in Aburahi, Koka-cho, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, are a two-storey gate and two flanking corridors of the late Muromachi period built in 1566; the set was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1906 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The designation covers 3 buildings. The gate is a Rōmon, 3 bays wide with a single central passage, under a hip-and-gable (Irimoya-zukuri) roof of cypress bark. The left corridor is 9 bays long and the right corridor 10 bays, both 1 bay deep, single-storey and gabled (Kirizuma-zukuri), also roofed in cypress bark (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Kora Carpenters and 1566
Aburahi Shrine names the master carpenter of the gate as Kora Gozaemon-no-jo and says the corridors were built at the same time. The shrine describes him as a temple and shrine carpenter from Kora village, east of Lake Biwa, known for his skill. The Agency designates 3 ridge tags together with the gate.
Another page of the shrine website writes the name as Kora Gorozaemon-no-jo, so the reading is not settled.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors were designated an Important Cultural Property on April 14, 1906, under number 00384, the three buildings forming a single designation (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
According to the shrine, no other medieval shrine in Shiga Prefecture has corridors attached in this way. In a precinct where gate, worship hall and main hall stand in one line, the corridors carry the gate out to left and right, marking off the south side of the grounds.
In 1962 the Shiga Prefectural Board of Education published a report on repair work to the gate, corridors and other shrine buildings.
What to Look For
The two corridors are not the same length: the Agency records the left one at 9 bays and the right at 10. Stand in front of the gate and compare them.
On the north face of the gate, the side facing the shrine, a Kaerumata bracket holds a carved dove with a local legend attached. As people gathered to celebrate the new gate, the story goes, the dove flew off and began raiding a bean field, until someone tore off one of its wings (Koka Konan folk tales, quoted by Aburahi Shrine). Turn round after passing through the gate to look up at it.
The corridors are still used at festival time. At Omiya-gomori, the autumn festival on the night of September 13, parishioners hang mosquito nets at their fixed places along the east and west corridors and keep vigil among offered lamps (Aburahi Shrine). Japan Tourism Agency material adds that Koka warriors once met in the corridor to exchange news and plan.
Visiting
The Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors stand at the south end of the precinct, and visitors enter through the gate. Japan Tourism Agency material asks that shoes be removed before going into the buildings, including the corridors.
Photography is normally allowed but is restricted on filming days. Directions are on the Aburahi Shrine page.
Q&A
- When were the Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors built?
- In 1566 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The shrine says the corridors date from the same time as the gate.
- What do the Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors consist of?
- A 3-bay two-storey gate with a hip-and-gable roof and two gabled corridors running out from it, all roofed in cypress bark.
- Are the two corridors of the Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors the same length?
- No. The left corridor is 9 bays long and the right 10 bays (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is the dove carving on the Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate?
- A carved dove in a kaerumata bracket on the north face of the gate; local legend says it once came to life and flew away (Aburahi Shrine).
- When were the Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On April 14, 1906 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors (油日神社楼門及び廻廊) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1042 Aburahi, Koka-cho, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated April 14, 1906 |
| Quantity | 3 buildings |
| Dimensions | Gate: 3 bays, 1 passage, irimoya-zukuri, cypress-bark roof / Left corridor: 9 × 1 bays, gabled, cypress bark / Right corridor: 10 × 1 bays, gabled, cypress bark |
| Owner | Aburahi Shrine |
| Public Access | Grounds normally open, photography allowed except on filming days (shrine website); no interior opening announced |
References
- Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors: Romon Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1466
- Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors: Left Corridor (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1467
- Aburahi Shrine Romon Gate and Corridors: Right Corridor (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1468
- Aburahi Shrine official website: precinct guide (Japanese)
- https://aburahijinjya.jp/keidai.html
- Aburahi Shrine official website: the dove carving of the gate (Japanese)
- https://aburahijinjya.jp/hanashi.html
- Aburahi Shrine official website: festivals (Japanese)
- https://aburahijinjya.jp/maturi.html
- Aburahi Shrine (Japan Tourism Agency multilingual commentary database)
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/en/R6-00381.html
- Repair report on the Aburahi Shrine buildings, 1962 (Comprehensive Database of Archaeological Site Reports, Japanese)
- https://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/135738
Last verified: 2026.11.08
Cultural Treasures in the Same Area
All are within walking distance in the same area, so we recommend visiting them together.
- Aburahi Shrine Tower Gate and Corridor right corridor 0.00 km
- Aburahi Shrine Tower Gate and Corridor Tower gate 0.01 km
- Aburahi Shrine Tower Gate and Corridor left corridor 0.02 km
