Nishinomiya Shrine Mud Wall

Akamon Dai-Neribei refers to a 247-meter-long neribei (plastered earthen wall) surrounding Nishinomiya Shrine, stretching from the east side to the south side of the grounds, and designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Along with the Taiko-bei at Sanjusangendo (Higashiyama, Kyoto) and the Nobunaga-bei at Atsuta Shrine (Atsuta Ward, Nagoya), it is regarded as one of Japan’s three great neribei walls. Nishinomiya Shrine, where the Akamon Dai-Neribei stands, is about a 5-minute walk from Hanshin Railway Nishinomiya Station, or about a 10-minute walk from JR Kobe Line Sakura-Shukugawa Station. During repairs for damage sustained in the Pacific War, Ming and Song coins were discovered within the earthen wall, leading to the estimate that it was constructed in the Muromachi period; it is also said to be Japan’s oldest tsuiji-bei (earthen wall). Although it was damaged in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, it was restored using traditional techniques. The “Akamon” (Red Gate) refers to the main front gate, familiar as the starting point for the Toka Ebisu opening ritual and the “Fuku-otoko” (Lucky Man) race. Its vivid vermilion is strikingly beautiful, and it presents a stately appearance preserving features of Momoyama-era architecture.