UNESCO World Heritage / Sacred region Munakata

Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region

The sacred island of Okinoshima, situated between the Japanese archipelago and the Korean

peninsula, has long attracted the devotion of the local population in the Munakata region, who

possessed advanced nautical skills. Large-scale rituals utilizing an enormous quantity of precious

votive offerings were conducted on the island to pray for safe ocean voyages from the 4th to the

9th centuries, a period of more than 500 years during which overseas exchange occurred frequently

in East Asia. 　

Ritual sites bearing witness to the successive phases of ancient rituals that chronicle the formation

of indigenous beliefs in Japan have survived to the present almost intact, because the island of

Okinoshima, as an object of worship, has been protected by established taboos strictly limiting

access to the island.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Munakata Shrine Hetsu-gu

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

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.

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

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.

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.