Shinmon, Tokyo

The large wooden main gate leading to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is the Shinmon. It is one of the most beautiful among temple gates in Tokyo.

The Yasukuni Shrine is dedicated to the Japanese soldiers who died fighting in wars. It was first commissioned by the Meiji emperor to honor soldiers who died in the Boshin War. Besides soldiers, ordinary citizens, children and animals who became victims of war are also enshrined. It has become controversial recently because many of those enshrined were war criminals of World War II and is condemned by Asian nations who suffered under Japanese rule like China and Korea. As a result no emperor has visited the shrine since World War II. The complex covers 6.25 acres and the causeway covers four hectares.

There are four Torii gates leading to the Yasukuni Shrine. The main gate or the Shinmon is between the second and the third Torii. It is a 6 meter tall structure made entirely of Japanese cypress wood called the Hinoki cypress. It was built in 1934 before the 2nd World War. The doors have a large gold chrysanthemum crest which is the imperial seal of Japan. The gate was extensively restored in 1994.