Bath-Tsugaru Torii Gate

Come stand under Maine’s only authentic torii gate, standing nine feet tall and made entirely of wood.

In Japan, torii gates often welcome people into Shinto shrines. They are a sacred part of Japanese culture, representing a gateway between the physical and spiritual worlds. This particular gate, crafted by local builders, symbolizes respect, unity, and goodwill, and is an ode to the sister city relationship between Bath and Tsugaru.

The two cities became forever intertwined in 1889, when the Bath-made Cheseborough shipwrecked off the northwest coast of the main island of Honshu. The village people of Shariki, which is now Tsugaru, were able to rescue four sailors. A century later, an official sister-city relationship between Bath and Tsugaru was forged.

In July, 2023, the city of Bath installed the arch to honor their long standing relationship with Tsugaru. Today, the structure marks the start of the river walk along the Kennebec River.