Island Shrines
Munakata, in Fukuoka Prefecture, is home to the Munakata Taisha, a group of three shrines, including the sacred Okinoshima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Okinoshima, the original shrine site, remains off-limits to visitors, preserving its ancient rituals and artifacts. The other shrines, Nakatsu Shrine on Oshima Island and Hetsu Shrine on the Kyushu mainland, are more accessible, with Hetsu Shrine featuring the Shinpokan Museum, showcasing treasures from the region's rich history of trade and cultural exchange.
