World Heritage Site Munakata Taisha Shrine - Reflect on the history of exchange across the sea

・Theme

Shrine, History, Culture, Art

・Details

• Formal worship at the main shrine, reception by a Shinto priest
• Worship at the Takamiya Sacred Site, tour of the Sacred Treasure Museum, receive explanations about national treasures and other exhibits
• Tea break

・Travel Designer's Comment

Munakata Taisha is one of Japan's oldest shrines, featured in Japanese mythology. It comprises three main shrines: Hetsu-miya on the mainland, and two island shrines, Okitsu-miya on Okinoshima and Nakatsu-miya on Oshima.

The formal visit includes worship at Hetsu-miya's Honden (rebuilt in 1578) and Haiden (rebuilt in 1590), followed by a visit to the slightly elevated Takamiya Saijo.

On Okinoshima, which is said to be inhabited by deities, rituals for maritime safety were performed for 500 years from the 4th to the 9th centuries, mainly due to interactions with China and Korea. The island remains off-limits to the public, except for shrine priests. Archaeological excavations after World War II uncovered 80,000 national treasure-class items, earning the island the nickname "The Shosoin of the Sea." Some of these treasures are displayed at the Shinpokan Museum.

Munakata Taisha was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, in recognition of its history of international exchange and the local people’s preservation of their unique cultural traditions.

Located approximately 200 kilometers in a straight line from Busan, South Korea, Munakata has a rich history of international trade and diplomacy since ancient times.

The autumn festival "Miare Matsuri" is famous, where the Mikoshi (portable shrines) from Okitsu-miya and Nakatsu-miya are carried to the mainland by a majestic flotilla. Additionally, the shrine has been a venue for international environmental conferences, reflecting the local community's commitment to environmental conservation.

・Schedule (2 hours)

• Shrine tour and explanation: 60 minutes
• Visit to Shinpokan Museum: 40 minutes
• Tea break at Munakata Chayu: 20 minutes

・Fee

33,000 yen (tax included)

・Fee Includes

First-fruits offering, admission fees, tea, souvenirs

・Number of Participants

4 to 6 people

・Meeting Time and Place

Please arrive at the designated location about 10 minutes before your reservation time. The tour starts and ends at the site.

・Location

2331 Tashima, Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 811-3505

・Access

Approximately 20 minutes from Wakamiya Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway

・Website

Munakata Taisha Official Website

・Available Days

Reservations are accepted from Monday to Friday on weekdays.

・Options

If you wish to visit Oshima for worship, please contact us.

・Cancellation Policy

20% of the fee will be charged as a cancellation fee from two days before the tour date.

・What to Bring

Nothing in particular

・Clothing

Please avoid wearing shorts, slippers, or sandals.

・Payment Method

Advance payment by credit card or other methods.

・Participation Conditions

Please contact us if you require the use of a wheelchair or other assistance.

・Reservation Period

From 2 months to 7 days before the tour date.

・Disclaimer

The tour may be canceled or the content may change due to unavoidable circumstances. In case of cancellation, we will promptly process a refund.

・Other Information

There is a dedicated parking lot.
Photography is partially restricted during the experience.
Please inform us in advance if you need foreign language support.