The traditional Shinto gate marking the entrance to a sacred shrine area is called a torii.
A torii separates ordinary space from the precinct associated with a kami. It usually consists of two upright pillars supporting horizontal beams, although designs vary widely. Passing beneath one is traditionally understood as entering a sacred area, so visitors often bow before crossing and again after leaving.
Torii are commonly made from wood or stone, and many are painted vermilion. The color is associated with protection and vitality in Japanese religious and cultural settings, although not every torii is red. Some shrines have a single gate, while others have long paths lined with many gates.
Torii are not buildings where worship takes place. The main sanctuary is called the honden, while the worship hall is the haiden. Another frequently confused term is shimenawa, a sacred rope that marks a spiritually significant boundary or object.