Niou-mon gate
Omizuya water house
Nitenmon gate
Yashamon gate
Karamon gate
Haiden Oratory
Ainoma middle room
Honden main hall
Last instruction and sword
Koukamon gate
Okunoin inner house
Historical relics
Shinkyo bridge-Takinoo shrine

*Nitenmon Gate

The Nitenmon is the biggest gate in Nikko. It is located on the opposite side of Omizuya (Water house). The frame of "Taiyuin" is put up on the upper side of the gate. The "Taiyuin" is handwriting of the Emperor Gomizunoo.

Two images of gods are enshrined in the front. Also, two gods can be translated "Niten." Therefore, the Nitenmon is explained as the "Gate of Two Gods." Those gods are called Jikokuten and Koumokuten, and these are two of Shitennou (The four Deva kings). In addition, this gate also is called Kaminarimon (Gate of Thunder) because image of Raijin (God of thunder) is put on the backside of the gate.

On the backside of the gate, you will find images of the red Raijin and blue Fujin (God of wind). The Raijin's fingers are just three, and each finger expresses past, present and future. On the contrary, the Fujin's fingers are four, and each finger expresses the East, the West, the South and the North. Also, the Raijin and Fujin have on two fingers for the leg. Those two fingers of leg indicate the sky and the ground.

Coloring of Nitenmon Gate is clear. For example, lower side of the gate is vermilion lacquered, middle of the gate is black, and under the eaves is ultramarine, vermilion and greenish blue. Also, there are many decorations on the upper side, where it is easy to be seen.



Nitenmon Gate
Images of Nikokuten and Koumokuten are put in the front.
Images of Fujin and Raijin are put on the backside.
Frame of "Taiyuin" is put up on the roof.



Approach near the Omizuya (Water house)



Repaired metal fittings



Image of Jikokuten, which is located in the front side of Nitenmon Gate



Image of Koumokuten, which despises Amanojaku (Perverse person)



Image of Fujin on the backside of the Nitenmon Gate
It shoulders the bag, which contain the wind.



Image of Raijin on the backside of the Nitenmon Gate
It carries drums on the back, and holds drumsticks.



Nikko Tourist Information Center
591, Gokomachi area, Nikko, Tochigi, Postal code:321-1404
TEL: +81-288-54-2496 FAX: +81-288-54-2495