Munakata Taisha, Shinto shrine complex in Munakata, Japan
Munakata Taisha is a shrine complex divided into three separate locations: Hetsu-gu on mainland Kyushu, Nakatsu-gu on Oshima island, and Okitsu-gu on Okinoshima island. Together these sites form one of the most important coastal shrines in Japan and are part of a World Heritage listing.
Archaeological excavations on Okinoshima island since 1954 have uncovered more than 80,000 artifacts, including six objects classified as National Treasures of Japan. These finds document the maritime connection between Japan and the Asian mainland over many centuries.
The three shrines honor the Munakata goddesses Tagorihime, Tagitsuhime and Ichikishimahime, regarded as daughters of Amaterasu-omikami and Susanoo-no-mikoto. These female deities are traditionally invoked by seafarers and fishermen seeking safe passage across the waters.
The main shrine Hetsu-gu is accessible by JR Kagoshima Line train services from the mainland, while Nakatsu-gu on Oshima can be reached by ferry from Kōnominato. The Okitsu-gu shrine remains closed to the public and can only be visited by priests on special occasions.
Okinoshima island enforces strict access regulations that prohibit women from entering and require men to perform purification ceremonies before landing. These restrictions preserve the island as one of the most isolated sacred sites in the world.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
