heiwa-no-Torii
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Heiwa-no-Torii: A Sacred Gateway Meets the Shores of Lake Ashinoko
芦ノ湖に佇む箱根神社の入口・平和の鳥居
This torii gate serves two significant purposes. First, it marks the entrance from the shore of Lake Ashi to Hakone Shrine, which sits 213 meters (700 feet) up on the hill behind the gate.
Unlike most traditional torii gates, the Heiwa-no-Torii (Gate of Peace) is built directly over the water. Erected in 1952, it commemorates the Treaty of San Francisco, where Japan concluded peace with 48 nations, formally ending World War II.
Torii gates symbolize passage into divine territory, denoting the boundaries of a shrine’s sacred grounds. Proper etiquette includes bowing slightly before passing under the gate. When possible, it’s best to enter through either the right or left side of the pathway, as the center is reserved for the enshrined deities. Avoid walking around the gate altogether whenever possible.
The Heiwa-no-Torii is not easily accessed from the water, so most visitors approach the gate from behind and pose for photos with Lake Ashi as a stunning backdrop. However, as the gate serves as an entrance to an active sacred site, standing slightly to the right or left of the center pathway is the most respectful way to honor Shinto tradition and Japanese culture.
In 1964, a plaque inscribed with “平和” (Peace) was mounted on the gate to celebrate the 1,200th anniversary of Hakone Shrine and Japan’s hosting of the Tokyo Olympics. The calligraphy was personally written by former Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru, who signed the peace treaty on Japan’s behalf. Since then, the gate has been affectionately known as the Torii Gate of Peace.
Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 13:36・2024/10/15
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
105 mm ISO 100 for 1/400 sec. at ƒ/10
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