Nature #7 of 16 in this area

Saiba Utaki (sacred site on Mt. Saiba)

The highest sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom and a World Heritage Site, located in Chinen, Nanjo City. The triangular rock space called Sangui is mysterious. It is a Utaki that worships Kutaka Island, the island of God, and is still cherished as an object of worship.

Saiba Utaki is the highest sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom, located in Chinen, Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture. In 2000, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, "Gusuku and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

It is a sacred site said to have been built by Amamikyo, the founding god of the Ryukyu Islands, and there are six places of worship from the entrance, including Ufugui, Yuinchi, and Sangoui. The "Sanguori," a triangular space formed by two gigantic rock formations leaning against each other, is particularly mysterious and overwhelming to visitors. From the back of Sangori, you can see Kutaka Island, which is revered as an island of the gods.

Admission tickets are not sold at the Saiba Utaki site, but must be purchased in advance at the Nanjo City Local Products Museum, about 500 meters away. Because it is a sacred site, visitors are asked to visit quietly, taking into consideration the manners of shouting, eating, drinking, and photographing. In the past, only the king, Mundo Daegun (the highest ranking female deity), and other limited visitors were allowed to enter the site, and many locals still visit the site for Ugan (petition).

#["World Heritage" #"Sacred Sites" #"Power Spots" #"Nanjo City" #"Ryukyu" #"Utaki" #"Hisakajima"].

Info

4.5 (3,000 reviews) Google

Address: 539 Chinen Kuteken, Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture (Ticket sales at Nanjo City Local Products Center)
Opening Hours: Mar-Oct 9:00-18:00, Nov-Feb 9:00-17:30, last admission 30 minutes before closing, closed May 1-3 and Oct 1-3 of lunar calendar
Admission: Adults 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students 150 yen, groups (20 or more people) 200 yen *Scheduled to change to 600 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and 500 yen for groups after October 1, 2026.
Official Website: Visit Website

Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.

Score

Total Score 72 / 100

* These scores are AI-assessed estimates based on publicly available information. They reflect subjective judgment and may differ from actual conditions.