Once a person crosses this bridge she or he enters the shrine compound. Shrine roofs are generally made of thatched cypress bark. Before approaching the building housing the kami, worshippers line up in an area known as the haiden or worship area. The tori gate is perhaps the most unique feature of Shinto shrines. Like the sacred bridge, the gate way symbolically demarcates the sacred area from the profane areas.
Tori gates are place in different locations with regard to shrines.
Some are placed at the entrance to a shrine, others are placed directly in front of the building which houses the kami , and others a located a long way off from the shrines themselves. After entering thee tori gate one usually walks down a path called the sando which leads up to the shrine. It is customary to wash ones hands and mouth before approaching the shrine and there is usually a ladle and baisin of water for this purpose placed at the entrance.