Sacred island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in Munakata Region

Outstanding Universal Value

Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region (2017) by Preservation and Utilization Council of "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region"Original Source: Similar Properties

Sacred island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites

The World Heritage Site that exhibits important interchanges and exchanges amongst the different polities in East Asia and an exceptional example of the cultural tradition of worshipping a sacred island.

Ring (5) by Preservation and Utilization Council of "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region"Original Source: Treasure of Okinoshima

Votive Offerings

80,000 national treasures excavated from the sacred island exhibits important inter-changes and exchanges amongst various polities in East Asia from the fourth to the ninth centuries.

Shrine buildings of Okitsumiya by Preservation and Utilization Council of "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region"Original Source: Munakata Archives

Faith that continues to the present day

The shrine buildings of Okitsu-miya, Munakata Taisha,  are built in the sacred island of Okinoshima where rituals has been performed from ancient time. The island has long been protected by taboos that prevent people from visiting it, since it is known as a place where kami dwell.

Shimbaru-Nuyama Mounded Tomb Group by Preservation and Utilization Council of "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region"Original Source: Munakata Archives

Ancient Munakata Clan

Guardians of Okinoshima faith who played an important role in overseas exchanges. The Shimbaru-Nuyama mounded tomb group preserves evidence concerning of the clan, who performed religious rituals on Okinoshima and sustained the living tradition of worshipping the sacred island.

Okitsu-miya Yohaisho, Munakata Taisha by Preservation and Utilization Council of "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region"Original Source: Munakata Archives

Worshipping from afar

Okitsu-miya Yohaisho, Munakata Taisha,  located on the northern coast of Oshima, faces in the direction of Okino-shima. Place of worship that is linked to the living tradition of venerating the sacred island from afar.

Nakatsu-miya, Munakata Taisha by Preservation and Utilization Council of "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region"Original Source: Munakata Archives

The Island Protects the Sacred Island

Nakatsu-miya, Munakata Taisha, located on the island of Oshima that originates from an ancient site linked to Okinoshima rituals. As a spiritual center for the people of Oshima who has been protected  Okinoshima from ancient time.

Hetsu-miya, Munakata Taisha by Preservation and Utilization Council of "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region"Original Source: Munakata Archives

Center of the worship of Munakata Three Female Deities

Hetsu-miya, Munakata Taisha, located on the main island of Kyushu, is the center of the worship of Munakata Three Female Deities. The worship of the sacred island has been continued in the form of devotion to the three Female Deities of Munakata at the three shrines of Munakata Taisha.

Explore the Sacred island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites

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Preservation and Utilization Council of "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region"

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