Overview
The whole island is the deity. Women may not go, and those who land may not speak of what they saw or heard.
About this place
Okinoshima (沖ノ島, Okinoshima) is an island off the coast of Munakata, Fukuoka, Japan. It is considered sacred land by the local Munakata Taisha. The island's population consists of a single employee of the shrine. He is one of about two dozen Shinto priests who spend 10-day intervals on the island, praying and guarding against intruders. The entire island is considered a shinto kami, and the island is off limits to women. One proposed reason is that Shinto views blood as impure and menstruation would desecrate the island. For centuries, only 200 men were allowed on the island on one day each year after they had ritually purified themselves in the surrounding sea. The island covers area of 97 ha (240 acres) and has maximum elevation of approximately 244 m (801 ft).
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Key facts
Designation:World Cultural Heritage Site Blessings:Safe sea voyages
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Before you go
Three questions from the World Question Box that relate to this entry.
More in Shrines & Temples
Check before you visit · References
The original sources are listed here. Confirm opening hours, whether visits are accepted, fees and access with the latest official information.
Crafts and specialties of this prefecture
Written by Value Village from public sources. Nothing here is reproduced from another site. Languages: ja / en / zh
Instagram posts from Fukuoka (from official accounts)
There are no posts linked to this place yet. Posts from the prefecture's official accounts are shown, rotating every minute.
