Munakata and Fukutsu: A Tour of Two Sacred Shrines and a Seaside Stroll

Discover a Japanese course in Munakata and Fukutsu, facing the Genkai Sea in northern Fukuoka, where you can experience two renowned shrines and the bounty of the sea in a single day. Begin your morning at Munakata Taisha Hetsumomiya, at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Island of the Gods" (Munakata and Okinoshima with Related Heritage Sites). Offer prayers for safe travels at this ancient shrine, long revered as the guardian of roads, then visit the adjacent Shinhokan Museum to view the magnificent national treasures excavated from Okinoshima, known as the "Louvre of the Sea." Enjoy fresh seafood lunch and shopping at Michi no Eki Munakata, where catches from the Genkai Sea line the shelves. In the afternoon, visit Miyaji Dake Shrine, where Japan's largest sacred rope stands majestically, and take in the view of the "Path of Light"—the processional approach stretching straight toward the sea from atop the stone steps. Conclude your day with a seaside stroll along Fukuma Coastal Beach, lined with seaside cafés, where you can walk barefoot through white sand while awaiting the sunset over the Genkai Sea. Experience a soul-refreshing day, cradled by the divine and the sea.