Translation guide
The primary or most important entrance to a building, complex, or area. In Japanese, the term depends on the type of place (temple, school, castle, etc.) and the formality of the context.
The primary entrance to a building, facility, or enclosed area.
The standard word for 'main gate' of a school, university, company, park, or other institution. Neutral and widely understood.
I'll wait in front of the school's main gate.
Literally 'front gate', often used for the main entrance of a traditional residence, temple, or historical building. Can imply the formal, public-facing entrance.
Literally 'big gate', used for large, imposing gates, especially of temples or castle towns. Often a proper noun in place names.
The main entrance gate of a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine, often a large, iconic structure.
The primary entrance to a Japanese castle, often heavily fortified.
The main front gate of a Japanese castle, typically the most important and heavily defended entrance.
The primary entrance gate for visitors to a public space or event venue.
Common loanword for 'main gate' in modern contexts like amusement parks, stadiums, concert venues. Casual and widely understood.
正門 is the most general term for a main gate of modern institutions. 表門 is used for traditional residences and temples, emphasizing the formal front entrance. 大手門 is specific to castle architecture. Using the wrong term can sound odd; for example, calling a school's gate 大手門 would be incorrect.
The main gate of the university is on the north side.
その武家屋敷の表門は重厚な造りだ。
The main gate of that samurai residence is solidly built.
浅草寺の大門は雷門とも呼ばれる。
The main gate of Senso-ji is also called Kaminarimon.
The main gate of a Buddhist temple, traditionally the entrance to the temple grounds. Also called 三門 (さんもん) when it has three openings.
The temple's main gate is designated a national treasure.
The outermost main gate of a large temple complex, often preceding the 山門.
Passing through the main gate, a long approach continues.
The iconic gate of a Shinto shrine, marking the boundary between the mundane and sacred. Not a 'gate' in the Western sense but often translated as such.
Only for Shinto shrines; not a general 'main gate'.
Bow once before passing through the shrine's torii gate.
Enter through the main gate of Himeji Castle.
Alternate reading/term for 大手門, used in some castle names. Less common.
The main gate is located at the front of the castle.
Please show your ticket at the main gate.
Literally 'front entrance', used for the main entrance of a building or facility. More formal than メインゲート.
The main entrance is crowded, so please use the back entrance.
main gate of a samurai residence
castle main gate
門 simply means 'gate'. To specify 'main gate', you need a compound like 正門 or 大手門. Saying 門だけ (just 'gate') will not convey the meaning of 'main'.
We'll meet at the main gate of the park.
The temple's main gate was built in the 17th century.