Hiroshima to Honolulu Friendship Torii

The Hiroshima to Honolulu Friendship Torii is a red Shinto gate designed as a smaller version of the famous Itsukushima Shrine gate. The structure uses stainless steel and titanium to blend traditional Japanese architecture with modern materials that can withstand the tropical climate.

The gate was built in 2001 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and honor Japanese immigration from Hiroshima. Its installation represented a moment when the city formally acknowledged its connection to Japanese history and people.

The gate takes its name from the sister city bond between Honolulu and Hiroshima, marking the strong Japanese presence in the city. You can see how this connection shapes the neighborhood and what Japan means to the local community.

The gate stands at the corner of South King Street and University Avenue in the Moiliili neighborhood and is easy to reach on foot. You can visit anytime since it sits in a public park and is visible from the street.

The gate is deliberately oriented to point directly toward the city of Hiroshima, creating a hidden geographic link between the two places. This alignment is not obvious to visitors but the symbolic orientation reinforces the friendship message.