Okinoshima
Japan · Asia
About
Okinoshima (沖ノ島, Okinoshima) is an island off the coast of Munakata, Fukuoka, Japan. It is considered sacred land by the local Munakata Taisha. The island's population consists of a single employee of the shrine. He is one of about two dozen Shinto priests who spend 10-day intervals on the island, praying and guarding against intruders.
The entire island is considered a shinto kami, and the island is off limits to women. One proposed reason is that Shinto views blood as impure and menstruation would desecrate the island. For centuries, only 200 men were allowed on the island on one day each year after they had ritually purified themselves in the surrounding sea.
The island covers area of 97 ha (240 acres) and has maximum elevation of approximately 244 m (801 ft).
Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.