source: fukuoka.lg.jp

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated the “Munakata, Okinojima Heritage Group Area” located in Fukuoka Prefecture as a “world cultural heritage site” in 2017.

Okinoshima Island and Related Sites in the Munakata Region.

Located in the Sea of ​​Genkai and shown in the map below, this region is home to archaeological and religious ruins dating from the late 4th century AC which have been left almost untouched. These historical ruins points to a route of religious pilgrimage and voyage of 49km between Okinojima (God Dwells Island) to the Munkata area of Kyushu.

source: www.city.munakata.lg.jp

In addition, the Niihara-Yatsuyama tombs that were built in 5th or 6th century represents evidence of the presence of people of Munakata that fostered devotion to faith on Okinojima. In the late 7th century, religious faith in the field was extended to Oshima and areas in the mainland of Kyushu such as Okitsu Miya shown in the photo below.

Okitsu Miya.

Universal Values ​​as a Cultural Property and a High Reputation.

According to Yukio Nishimura, a professor at Tokyo University, the “Munakata Okinojima Region” have important cultural assets and universal value and age which is represented in World Cultural Heritage classification. This area has a high reputation for such a designation from the point of view of a future conservation system.

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