Munakata Taisha
World Heritage site protecting the sea routes, home of the Three Goddesses.
Head shrine of roughly 6,000 Munakata shrines. It comprises three shrines: Hetsu-gū (mainland), Nakatsu-gū (Oshima island), and Okitsu-gū (Okinoshima island). The entire complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site centered on ancient rituals.
History of the Shrine
Munakata Taisha is one of the oldest shrines, preserving ancient Shinto rituals. The island of Okinoshima (Okitsu-gū) is particularly sacred; women are forbidden from entering, and men must undergo purification (misogi) in the sea before landing. It has been a site of ritual offerings for safe voyages to the continent since the 4th century.
Over 80,000 artifacts (National Treasures) have been found on Okinoshima, earning it the nickname 'Shoso-in of the Sea'.
The Enshrined Kami
What to See
The main shrine visitors see is Hetsu-gū on the mainland. The Treasure Hall (Shimpokan) here displays the incredible treasures excavated from Okinoshima, including golden rings and mirrors from ancient Persia, showing the extent of trade.
Okinoshima itself cannot be visited by tourists, but it can be worshipped from a distance at the viewing spot on Oshima island.
Major Festivals
The 'Miare Festival' on October 1st is a grand sea procession where fishing boats carry the portable shrines of the goddesses from the islands to meet their sister on the mainland.
Support Munakata Taisha
Your participation helps preserve this sacred site for future generations. Every digital offering contributes to real shrine preservation efforts across Japan.
By making an offering, you become part of a global community honoring Japanese spiritual traditions and supporting the cultural heritage that has been cherished for centuries.