Munakata Taisha／Three shrines

　　　　　 Okitsu-Miya

Okitsu-Miya enshrines Tagori-himekami.　the Okitsu-Miya is in Okinoshima island whose circumference is 4 kilometers and is located in Genkainada sea.

Large religious ceremonies had been held by Yamato-chotei. (one of the large ancient Japanese government) in Okitsu-Miya to pray for the prosperity of the nation and for safety in traffic on the ocean.

Recently, around hundred twenty thousands items for ancient religious ceremony were found on this small island. All items are designated as a national treasure and important cultural property.According to this fact, Okinoshima island is called the Shosouin on the ocean.



The Main Shrine of Okitsu-Miya		The Approach to Okitsu-Miya

Okinoshima Island

　　　　Nakatsu-Miya

Nakatsu-Miya, on Ohshima island, Munakata-gun county, enshrines Tagitsu-himekami.This shrine is professed by many fisherman and merchant services.

There is the Okitsu-Miya Youhaijo in the North side of island.　The overlook of Okinoshima island is available when the weather is good.

The Main shrine of Nakatsu-Miya and Nakatsu-Miya Sanctuary

The Approach to Nakatsu-Miya

Tanabata Matsuri Festival

　　　　Hetsu-Miya

　The Main Shrine of Hetsu-Miya
　　 and Hetsu-Miya Sanctuary

　Hetsu-Miya, in Tashima Genkaicho Munakatagun, enshrines Ichikishima-himekami.　This shrine has been the head of Munakata sangu and has held lots of sacred ceremonies.　There are Hetsu-Miya Honden (the main part of shrine where the goddess is enshrined), Hetsu-Miya Haiden (where people pray), and Shichijuugo Massha (seventy small shrines which belong to the god of Munakata).　Yaoyorozuno-Kami one hundred eight gods and goddesses from seventy five branch shrines of Munakata Divine territory are commemorated on the Hetsu-Miya.

　Tei Nino-Miya /Tei Sanno-Miya

　The Tei Nino-Miya (second shrine) and Tei Sanno-Miya(third shrine) that enshrines the goddesses in Okitsu-Miya and Nakatsu-Miya, are the only buildings in Shinmyo-Zukuri(Traditional style of architecture for shrines) and are made from the wood given by the Ise-Jingu　shrine.　The wood given was released during the 60th rebuilding of Ise-Jingu.

　Takamiya-saijo

　There is the Takamiya-saijo,(saijo means the place where sacred ceremony takes place), which is considered as the place where Munakata-ohkami, the god of Munakata, came down.　Sacred ceremony following the traditional way is still taken place there.　Takamiya-saijo is the one of a few traditional places for sacred ceremony that is originated from Himorogi and Iwasaka, original styles of sacred ceremony.

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