Munakata & Fukutsu Travel Guide

The Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site in the Munakata Region

has been registered on the UNESCO Wlorld Heritage in 2016.

Munakata Region is located in the west part of Fukuoka-prefecture and facing to Genkai Sea.

The area are consist of Munakata, Fukutsu, Akama and Oshima Island.

Munakata

Munakata Shrine Hetsu-gu, UNESCO World Heritage

Hetsu-gu is one of the three shrines that comprise Munakata Shrine and enshrines

Ichikishimahime-no-Kami, one of the three female deities of Munakata. Visitors passing

through the torii gate and proceeding along the path will find the Main Hall, dedicated to

Ichikishimahime-no-Kami, beyond the Shinmon gate

Torii Gate

Entrance

Shrine main building

Takamiya Saijo

The steps lead to Takamiya Saijo (Ceremonial Site), where ancient rituals were performed.
Takamiya Saijo is very important since the rituals currently observed at Hetsu-gu originated there.
To the northwest of the ceremonial site, visitors can view the marine route linking Hetsu-gu with

Okinoshima via the Tsurikawa River, Oshima, and finally across the Genkai Sea.

Entrance of Takamiya Saijo

Worship at Takamiya Saijo

Takamiya Saijo Japan’s oldest

Ancient style Shrine

Fukutsu

Shinbaru-Nuyama Mounted Tombs, UNESCO World Heritage

The Tomb Group comprises the tombs of the Munakata clan, an ancient powerful family that led

interactions with overseas countries. The Munakata clan also performed rituals on Okinoshima

and nurtured the tradition of faith in in the sacred island.

Miyajidake Shrine

The Shimenawa is the biggest in Japan.

Surprisingly, weight is 3ton, with 2.6m diameter and 11m length.

Shimenawa is the thick, twisted, straw rope. It was believed in ancient days that a Shimenawa

had the power to keep off evil sprits, so many objects connected with Shinto Shrines decorated.

Akama

Sake Brewery, Katsuya Shuzo

Katsuya Shuzo is a renown local Sake brewery has long history, established in 1790.

The Goshinshu or dedicated Sake to deity for Munakata Shrine is being made this Brewey.

Recommended Sake are Okinoshina, Naranoki and Genkainada.

Akama Inn town in Karatsu road, made during Edo period

Oshima Island

Oshima Island located 11 km from Konominato Port in Munakata-city, and is the largest

island in Fukuoka-prefecture. The population of the island is around 700.

Access to Oshima Island

Oshima Ferry, it takes 25 minutes by Oshima and 15 minutes by Shiokaze

Konominato Port

to Oshima Island

Oshima Port

Munakata Shrine Nakatsu-gu, UNESCO World Heritage

Nakatsu-gu, one of the three shrines that comprise Munakata Taisha, is situated on this island

and enshrines Tagitsuhime-no-Kami, one of the Three Goddesses of Munakata.

Munakata Shrine Okitsu-gu Yohaisho, UNESCO World Heritage

Because Okinoshima has long been an object of worship, public access to the island is strictly limited.
The Okinoshima landscape has been preserved intact until now because local people have strictly

observed various taboos. For example, even if one is allowed to land on the island, one is forbidden

to speak a word about what one has seen or heard there; and one must never take anything from the

island, not even a twig, blade of grass, or pebble.