1What is prayed to hereここで、何を拝むのか
Inside the utaki there are said to be six sacred spots called ibi (イビ). The six censers lined up at the start of the path (御門口) stand for them.
In the old days, only those who took part in the rituals could go inside. Going all the way in was never a condition of praying here.
This is also a place from which people prayed to Kudaka Island.
At Chōnuhana, Kudaka Island can be seen where the rock wall on the left opens up.
A stone censer is placed here too.Utaki of Nanjo City, pp. 108–109 (our translation)
A censer means this is not a viewpoint. It is a place for prayer. Getting closer is not the only way to show respect. Utoushi, praying from a distance, has been the practice from the start.
Sanguui, the innermost triangular passage, is currently closed to entry.
The full story is on the front page.
2Tickets and time入場券とかかる時間
- Tickets are not sold at the utaki entrance. Buy them at the Nanjo City Regional Products Center (南城市地域物産館・がんじゅう駅・南城), then walk about 7 minutes.
- Before the path, a short film at 緑の館・セーファ explains how to behave.
- The visit takes about 60 minutes. Allow an hour and a half including the walk.
- Twice a year, on days set by the old lunar calendar, the site is closed to visitors.
We are checking these. We will add them here as soon as they are confirmed.
3Manners, and photos参拝の作法と、写真のこと
PLEASE DO
- Bow once before the entrance path
- If someone is praying, wait at a distance
- Keep your voice low. Don't run
- Wear walking shoes (the path is slippery after rain)
- Cover your shoulders and knees
PLEASE DON'T
- Take away stones, sand or plants
- Touch the censers or offerings
- Go inside the fences or past the closed areas
- Eat, smoke, or fly a drone
In recent years, more visitors have been leaving incense and offerings in their own way, and it has become a problem for local people. If you are unsure, simply put your hands together and offer nothing.
Taking photos is not forbidden. But there are things we do not photograph.
OK
- The approach path, the entrance, the signs
- Views from a distance
- Your own souvenir shots (where no one else is in the frame)
NO
- People who are praying (even from behind)
- The censers and offerings
- Anything inside the closed areas
- Drones
If in doubt, don't take the photo. You lose nothing by not taking it.
4The bus back帰りのバス
Take the N-Bus or the Toyo Bus from the stop 斎場御嶽入口 (Sefa-utaki Iriguchi). The live timetable is on the Japanese page.
Transit data: OTTOP (CC BY 4.0)
NextAfter thisこのあと
Details are being prepared.