Nanmon South Gate
The two-storied south gate, which is 12 m high, is the primary entrance to the main compound of Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Prior to the construction of the Nanmon, the main entrance to the shrine was the Keigamon gate, which stands to the west facing sacred Mt. Mikasa. It is believed that the Nanmon was built specially for the exclusive use of the nobility. Both the Nanmon and the Keigamon gates are now open to the public.
At the annual Kasuga Festival, the imperial envoy enters through the Keigamon if he is a member of the Fujiwara family. Imperial envoys not belonging to the Fujiwara family use the Nanmon gate.