🗺️ Umikaze Do Munakata Hall海の道むなかた館

Since ancient times, the deities residing on the island have been worshipped as objects of faith. Around the year 1600, Okinoshima remained in an undisturbed and protected state. The "Sea Road Munakata Museum," located opposite the Munakata Taisha Buzumon, is a facility themed around the "Island of the Gods" - Okinoshima and its related heritage sites, which were registered as a World Heritage Site in 2017. General public access to Okinoshima, designated as a sacred area, is not permitted; however, visitors can experience it through the realistic sounds and images in the museum's 3D theater. Additionally, a large 7×18m screen showcases archaeological materials unearthed from sites within the city. The richness of the displayed content is astounding for a facility that offers free admission, and it provides extensive information about the history of the World Heritage Site of Munakata. Don't miss the free explanations provided by local cultural volunteers regarding the exhibits. In addition to experiencing ancient life skills such as making magatama (comma-shaped beads) and fire-starting within the museum, various activities such as site tours and lectures by the museum director are also organized.

It is recommended to first learn about the World Heritage site here before visiting nearby attractions such as Munakata Taisha's Wajima Shrine. Don't miss the exquisite replicas of ancient mirrors that you can hold and admire, as well as the three-dimensional models that faithfully recreate ancient tombs. Local volunteers known as "Community Art Educators" will provide explanations about the exhibits in the museum.