Naminoue Shrine, Shinto shrine in Naha, Japan
Naminoue Shrine sits atop a limestone cliff overlooking Naminoue Beach, displaying the flowing roof form typical of the nagare-zukuri style. The compound occupies an elevated plot separated from the surrounding neighborhood by stone steps and torii gates.
This shrine came into being in 1368 during the Ryukyu Kingdom as the foremost religious site in the region. After destruction in World War II, the buildings were rebuilt during the 1950s.
The shrine holds the Nanmin Festival each May, presenting Ryukyu dance performances, Okinawan sumo competitions, and a beach tug-of-war celebration.
The shrine is reached from Asahibashi Station on the monorail, followed by a roughly 15-minute walk through the streets of Naha. The stone stairs leading to the entrance are steep but short, with handrails available for support.
Vessels leaving or entering Naha port turn their gaze toward the shrine on the cliff, a custom kept by sailors for centuries. The gesture is considered a request for protection during the voyage at sea.
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