Okinoshima (沖ノ島) is an island in Fukuoka prefecture of Japan.

Understand

History

In 2017 the island was awarded UNESCO heritage status.

Get in

Purifying ceremony

It is very difficult to get permission to visit this island, with the custodians insisting that "people shouldn't visit out of curiosity". Additionally there is a ban on females visiting at all.

If you get permission to visit, then a purifying ceremony must be undertaken by stripping naked and walking through the sea (called misogi).

See

Okitsu shrine

• Munakata Taisha Okitsu shrine. Built in the 17th century. (updated Jul 2017)
• 1 Okinoshima Lighthouse (沖ノ島灯台). (updated Jul 2017)

Sleep