UNESCO World Heritage / Sacred region Munakata
Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region
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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
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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
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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. |
Oshima Ferry
The ferry to Oshima Island.from Konominato port.
It takes 25 minutes by Oshima ferry and 15 minutes by Shiokaze ferry
Fare for a adult : JPY 560 (one way)
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Konominato Port |
To Oshima Island |
Oshima Port |
General information
Konominato Port
| Address | 487-51 Konominato, Munakata-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
60 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Kitakyushu-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Dazaifu 100 minutes by a vehicle from Yanagawa |
Oshima Port
| Address | 1809-39 Oshima, Munakata-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
25 minutes by Oshima ferry from Konominato Port 15 minutes by Shiokaze ferry from Konominato Port |
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Mitake mountain Observatory
Enjoy breathtaking view from top of the mountain
From the observation deck atop Mt Mitakesan, visitors can view not only the main island of Kyushu,
but also Okinoshima Island.
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General information
| Address | 2436 Oshima, Munakata-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
10 minutes by a vehicle from Oshima Port |
Windmill Observatory
Enjoy breath taking scenery
From the site of a cannon fort used during World War II, visitors can view Okinoshima on
a clear day. The path linking the fort site with Okitsu-gu Yohaisho was constructed by the
Japanese Imperial Army.
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General information
| Address | 2797 Oshima, Munakata-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
10 minutes by a vehicle from Oshima Port |
Munakata Shrine Okitsu-gu Yohaisho
The Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site in the Munakata region
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.
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General information
| Address | 1811 Oshima, Munakata-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
10 minutes by a vehicle from Oshima Port |
Munakata Shrine Nakatsu-gu
The Shrine is part of the World Heritage that the Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site
in the Munakata Region has been registered on the World Heritage in 2016.
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.
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General information
| Address | 1811 Oshima, Munakata-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
10 minutes walk from Oshima Port |
Takamiya Saijo
Japan’s most oldest Ancient style Shrine.
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.
Site of Japan’s oldest Ancient style Shrine
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Access to Takamiya Saijo
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General information
| Address | 2331 Tashima, Munakata-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
10 minutes by a vehicle from JR Togo station 60 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Kitakyushu-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Dazaifu 100 minutes by a vehicle from Yanagawa |
| Open hours |
Shrine Compound : Open 24 hours |
| Admission fee | No fee is required |
| Days closed | No closing days |
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 with Shimenawa.
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Miyajidake Shrine is primarily dedicated to Empress Jingu and attracts over 2 million
worshippers a year who pray for commercial success, good luck, and to ward off adversity.
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General information
| Address | 7-1 Miyajimoto-machi, Fukutsu-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
10 minutes by a vehicle from JR Higashi-Fukuma station 50 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Kitakyushu-city 50 minutes by a vehicle from Dazaifu 90 minutes by a vehicle from Yanagawa |
| Open hours |
Sunrise to Sunset |
| Admission fee | No fee is required |
| Days closed | No closing days |
Shinbaru-Nuyama Mounded Tombs
The site has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage as
the Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site in the Munakata Region
The Tomb Group in Fukutsu City 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.
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General information
| Address | Shinbaru-Nuyama area, Katsuura, Fukutsu-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
15 minutes by a vehicle from JR Togo station 60 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 70 minutes by a vehicle from Kitakyushu-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Dazaifu 100 minutes by a vehicle from Yanagawa |
Munakata Shrine Hetsu-gu
The Shrine has been registered on the World Heritage in 2016.
The Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site in the Munakata region
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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.
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General information
| Address | 2331 Tashima, Munakata-city, Fukuoka-prefecture |
| Access |
10 minutes by a vehicle from JR Togo station 60 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Kitakyushu-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Dazaifu 100 minutes by a vehicle from Yanagawa |
| Open hours |
Shrine Compound : Open 24 hours |
| Admission fee | No fee is required |
| Days closed | No closing days |