【Sold-Out】On 11th Feb A Journey to Protect and Pass On the Sacred Sea and its Blessings A Spiritual Journey to Munakata Taisha Hetsu-miya and the Annual Kenkoku-sai Ceremony

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Munakata’s Okinoshima has been revered since antiquity as “The Island where Gods Dwell” and was  a vital strategic point governing the nation’s fate. It is a rare location where traces of  ancient rituals spanning centuries of history remain preserved. This faith continues today,  passed down through generations via sacred rites like the Miare Festival and as part of the  daily lives of the local people.  

On this tour, you will visit the Munakata Taisha Hetsumiya; one of the key sites designated  within the World Heritage property “Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the  Munakata Region” (2017).  

Experience the essence of Japanese prayer as we pay our respects at Hetsu-miya and explore the  Takamiya Saijo, an ancient ritual site surrounded by giant stones and trees that preserves the  spirit of ancient worship to this day. Following this, we will attend the Kenkoku-sai, a  ceremony held annually on Japan’s National Foundation Day, on February 11th at 11:00 AM in the  main hall. In accordance with the spirit of the nation’s founding as recorded in the Nihon  Shoki, this sacred ceremony offers prayers for national peace as well as local stability and  prosperity. Shinto priests and community members attend the rites, which include the chanting of   prayers and sacred dances by shrine maidens. You will be guided you through the Shinpokan  (Treasure Hall), which houses 80,000 artifacts, all of which are designated National Treasures.  

Lunch will be served at Genkai Ryokan, featuring a menu that highlights the natural bounty of  the Munakata sea and landscape. (The menu focuses on seafood, but vegetarian options will be  available.)  

This journey offers a profound opportunity to experience the ancient spirit and traditional  prayers of Japan.