Okinoshima Island: A World Heritage Site
Okinoshima is a 97-hectare island located approximately 60 kilometers from Munakata city in Kyushu's Fukuoka Prefecture, situated between Japan and the Korean Peninsula. The island is designated as a World Heritage site and is noted for its largely untouched state since the ninth century. Access to Okinoshima is prohibited for women.
Historical and Contemporary Access Regulations
Prior to 2017, annual access to Okinoshima was limited to 200 men for the On-Site Grand Festival. Visitors were required to perform purification rituals in the surrounding sea upon arrival. They were also bound by the "Oiwazu-sama" taboo, which prohibited disclosing observations from the island, and were forbidden from removing any natural elements.
Since 2017, public access without explicit permission constitutes a criminal offense. The island is now continuously occupied by a rotating group of Shinto priests from the Munakata Taisha Shinto shrine. Typically, one priest resides on the island for a ten-day roster, conducting rituals and maintenance.
Religious and Historical Significance
Okinoshima is considered an object of religious devotion. Shinto beliefs associate the island with three female deities of the Munakata Taisha shrines, who are believed to control the straits between Kyushu and the Korean Peninsula. Religious traditions, including Shinto and later Buddhist influences, contribute to the prohibition of women. Shinto beliefs have historically regarded menstrual blood as "impure." The arrival of Buddhism in the mid-sixth century reportedly strengthened perceptions of women's inferiority and reinforced the complete ban on women from Okinoshima. Additionally, the belief that female divine spirits residing in natural elements might become "upset" in the presence of other women also informs the restriction.
The island is home to approximately 80,000 votive offerings, which are designated as national treasures. These artifacts were deposited between the 4th and 9th centuries by envoys traveling between Japan and the East Asian mainland. Rituals involving these offerings were conducted to pray for the protection of ships and the safety of sailors. Artifacts discovered include a pure gold ring believed to originate from a royal tomb in Gyeongju on the Korean Peninsula.
World Heritage Listing and Related Discussions
Okinoshima and its associated sites were granted World Heritage status in 2017 by UNESCO. The listing was based on the property's Outstanding Universal Value, recognizing the cultural tradition of worshipping a sacred island and its role in significant exchanges between East Asian polities from the 4th to the 9th centuries.
The prohibition of women on the island was acknowledged as a contentious aspect during the World Heritage inscription process. UNESCO has stated that it does not intervene in social, cultural, or religious practices that fall within the domestic affairs of its state parties, noting that regulations concerning access to sacred sites are addressed within national legal and cultural frameworks. UNESCO also promotes gender equality as a global priority, while respecting the framework of the World Heritage Convention and cultural diversity. Other World Heritage sites globally also have specific access restrictions, such as Mount Athos in Greece and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia.
Broader Context of Gender Equality in Japan
Japan ranked 118th out of 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI), placing it as the lowest among G7 nations. While scoring highly in women's education and health, the country performed lower in political, employment, and economic indicators. The election of Sanae Takaichi as Japan's first female prime minister was noted, though she reportedly did not directly challenge existing gender divisions. For instance, a male advisor presented the Prime Minister's Cup at a sumo tournament due to the sport's ties to Shinto tradition.
Some scholars have questioned whether granting World Heritage status to Okinoshima legitimizes gender-specific practices, noting that bans on women at other Japanese mountains based on similar religious beliefs have been abolished. The debate centers on the balance between preserving historical tradition and addressing contemporary gender discrimination.