Sojiji received a private message (Chokushi) from the Emperor Godaigo that “This place is unique for a Zen temple, this place I appoint as a practice place of Soto Zen”, since then, Sojiji is regarded as a temple of imperial prayer, so this gate is called “Chokushi mon”.

This gate is opened on the occasions of inauguration ceremony of a new abbot (Zenji), New Year, Bon dance festival in July and relocation memorial day in November.