Munakata Taisha

Overview

Munakata Taisha is a UNESCO World Heritage shrine complex about 60 kilometers north of central Fukuoka, dedicated to three goddesses of the sea. The shrine system includes three separate locations: one on the mainland, one on Oshima island, and one on the sacred island of Okinoshima (closed to the public).

Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage Status: Inscribed in 2017 as part of 'Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region.'
• Hetsu-miya Main Shrine: The accessible mainland shrine set in an ancient camphor-tree forest.
• Shinboku Museum: A treasure house displaying 80,000 artifacts excavated from Okinoshima, including bronze mirrors and gold rings from the 4th–9th centuries.

History

Munakata Taisha's origins predate recorded history, with worship at Okinoshima island documented from the 4th century. The treasures offered to the sea goddesses on Okinoshima — including over 80,000 artifacts — earned it the nickname 'Shosoin of the Sea.' The island of Okinoshima remains completely closed to the public to preserve its sanctity.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Take the JR Kagoshima Line to Togo Station, then a bus to the shrine (about 80 minutes from Hakata).
• Tip 2: The Shinboku Museum is worth the ¥800 admission to see the extraordinary Okinoshima artifacts.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.