Orihata Jinja

On a cape at Kanezaki in Munakata, jutting into the Genkai Sea, Orihata Jinja is an old shrine whose charm lies in its setting embraced by the ocean. Recorded in the ancient register of deities as ranking just below Munakata Taisha within Chikuzen Province, it counts among the five shrines of Munakata together with the three halls of Munakata Taisha.

The main deity is Takeuchi no Sukune. The shrine name is said to come from a tradition that a war banner was woven here during an expedition led by Empress Jingu, and it has long been cherished as a guardian of safety at sea and as a power spot for purification.

Highlights

- A hall set atop a cape overlooking the Genkai Sea, with an open precinct swept by salt breezes - The Kutsuzuka mound, where Takeuchi no Sukune is said to have left his shoes before ascending to heaven - A refreshing outlook wrapped in the blue of sea and sky, loved as a place to feel the heart cleansed - A location overlooking the fishing port of Kanezaki, where devotion to the sea god still lives on

Enjoying the Seasons

Sea breezes feel pleasant all year, and on clear days the view of the blue Genkai Sea is exceptional. Cool ocean air in summer and crisp clarity in winter offer different faces of the sea with each season.

Access and Basic Information

- Location: Kanezaki, Munakata, Fukuoka - Access: About 25 minutes by car from Togo Station on the JR Kagoshima Main Line, or about 15 minutes by car from the Hetsu hall of Munakata Taisha - Hours: Open all day - Admission: Free to enter the grounds

A Quick Tip

The shrine sits high on a cape, so you climb stone steps to reach the hall. Take a deep breath as you gaze at the sea, and the salt breeze should lift your spirits in an instant.