Full article about this spot
Map & Access
Basic Information
- Location (Island)Irabu Island
- AddressIkemazoe, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
- Hours / Opening time24 hours (the precinct and front of the torii are always open). However, as it is a sacred area, refrain from entering early morning or at night; worship during bright daytime is reassuring.
- ClosedNone (always open)
- FeeFree
- ParkingNo dedicated car park (use empty spaces around Sarahama Port or within the village. As the roads are narrow living streets, park only briefly where you will not obstruct residents or rituals).
- ContactMiyakojima City Tourism and Commerce Division 0980-72-3751 (no facility manager on site)
Visiting tips & what to bring
It is a living sacred area (utaki), the most important prayer place of the locals. Do not enter the sacred area beyond the torii or inside the shrine building without permission. Keep worship to the permitted range in front of the torii and within the precinct; when rituals are being held, defer and watch quietly as a matter of etiquette. Keep photography to outside the torii, and refrain from photographing the sacred interior or the state of prayer. Refrain from loud noise, eating, drinking and smoking, and always take your rubbish home. As it faces a living street with no dedicated car park, park only briefly where you will not obstruct residents. There is little shade, so prepare a hat, water and sun shade in summer. Easy-to-walk footwear is safer than sandals.For families with small children
Visiting with infants is itself possible, but this is a living sacred area (utaki) requiring silence and worship etiquette. Keep viewing to within a range where a guardian can always hold hands and supervise, so children do not make loud noise or run around. There are no playground equipment, toilets or shaded benches, and it is not suited to a long stay. A short drop-by quietly clasping hands in front of the torii is no problem for families, but as a sightseeing destination centred on small children it is...FAQ
Q.Can you go inside the torii to worship?
A.You can worship and view up to the permitted range in front of the torii and within the precinct, but beyond the torii is a sacred area. Avoid entering the innermost shrine or ritual space without permission, and keep to quietly clasping your hands.
Q.Is photography allowed?
A.Photographing the torii or shrine from outside is generally tolerated, but refrain from photographing the sacred interior or people offering prayers. When a ritual is being held, refrain from photography and watch quietly as etiquette.
Q.Is there parking?
A.There is no dedicated car park. Use empty spaces around Sarahama Port or within the village briefly, but as the roads are narrow living streets, park where you will not obstruct residents or rituals.
Q.Can you get there by public transport?
A.You can use the Kyowa Bus Irabu Sarahama-via Hirara Line, about a 4-minute walk from the JA Sarahama-ten-mae bus stop. As there are few services, checking the timetable in advance is recommended.
Q.What is the difference between an utaki and a shrine?
A.It was originally an Okinawan sacred area called Oshu Utaki (Uparuzu), but it took the form of a shrine with a torii and shrine building. It is said to have been moved from Ikemajima along with the village division around 1720, a place where faith as an utaki still lives.