Munakata Taisha
A UNESCO World Heritage shrine complex of three separate shrines dedicated to three goddesses of the sea. The outermost island, Okinoshima, is so sacred no women have ever set foot on it and visiting men must ritually bathe before landing.
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One of Japan's oldest and most important shrines — the offshore island of Oki-no-shima is so sacred that even men who visit the permitted annual ceremony must wash in the sea before landing and may take nothing from the island (including photographs). The Hetsu shrine and museum house extraordinary ancient offerings. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2017.
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