Uchikura & Co., LLC

When you look at this photo of a Shinto shrine gate, you may notice a small fence placed in the middle of the pathway. How many of you know why that fence is there?

 

There are two reasons.

 

First, the center of the gate is traditionally reserved for the gods to enter and exit the shrine. For that reason, people are not supposed to walk down the middle.

 

Second, at many Shinto shrines—especially those in popular tourist areas—visitors often don’t know this custom. To prevent people from walking through the center, a small fence is placed as a reminder.

 

However, when you visit shrines in the countryside, where there are fewer tourists, you often won’t see this kind of fence at all. Everyone already knows not to walk in the middle, so there’s no need for one.

 

Small details like this quietly tell you a lot about culture, respect, and how traditions are preserved without words.