• Must-see
• Pictures
• Information

• Access
• Fees
• Advise

• CategoryTourism・History/Culture
• Phone number0988-68-3697
• AreaNaha/Shuri
• ParkingCar：20 parking lots（Free）
• TagShrineSpiritual spotWorshipBeachNahaWakasa
• Hours10:00～17:00

Naminoue Shrine is the most important shrine on Okinawa. It is located in Wakasa Naha-city Okinawa. The shrine is in along the seashore where is 1 km (1.2miles) away from the center of Naha-city. The shrine is located on top of the hill. Okinawan people call the shrine "Nanminsan" or "Nanmin". Many people come to the shrine to pray especially on New Year's day. Now, it's also a popular tourist's spot where not only Japanese tourist vistit, but also many tourists from overseas come visit here.

Naminoue Shrine is a famous shrine for its spirritual power. It is believed that if you visit the shrine, you will have protection agains evel, peace to the household, state of perfect health, road safety, voyage safety, prosperous trade, and matchmaking as well.

Must-see sights

• 

  Naminoue beach

  There is a beach at the Naminoue Shrine. It's the only beach where you can swim in Naha-city. Here is also a very popular site among tourist. It's located close to the airport so come stop by after/before you boad on the airport. The observation platform is at the other side of the ocean where you can overlook Naha city. At here, you can take a picture of the shrine too. It's a good photo spot! Don't forget to visit the shrine when you are visiting the beach.

• 

  Naminoue Gokokuji temple

  There is a Naminoue Gokokuji Temple next to Naminoue Shrine. In 1368, It was built to propagete Shingon buddhism(真言宗Shingon-shu).
  
  It is one the oldest temple in Okinawa. You can go inside the temple and see 観音菩薩 Kannon Bosatsu(Goddess of mercy), 大日如来Dainichi nyorai(Goddess of universe), 不動明王 Hudou myouou (Goddess of destroying evei passions). The temple was nearly destroyed from the WWⅡ, it was rebuilt after the war.

• 

  Kume Shiseibyou
  (a place where perform memorial rites for 孔子 a Chinese philosopher)

  Kume Shiseibyou is located next to the Naminoue shrine. There are 5 buildings and 3 stone-monument and gates.
  孔子 and 4 his disciples are performed memorial rites. Nevertheless, At the 天尊廟(Shiseibyou), 関帝王(Sovereign Kan / a Hero in "Romance of the three Kingdom"), 龍王(Ryuou/a goddess has a power to control water), 天妃宮(Tenpigu / a place to worship the navigation patron goddess Tenpi) are deified.
  You can learn the historical relationship between China and Okinawa. If you have chance to visit Naminoue shrine, please come stop by at her Kume Shiseibyou too.

History of Naminoue Shrine

At Naminoue shrine, 伊弉冉尊(Izanamino-mikoto),速玉男尊(Hayatamawo-nomikoto),事解男尊(Kotosakawo-nomikoto),are deified. There is a dragon at Chouzuya（A place where you rinse your mouth and hands with fresh water, The shrine is red roof tile and there is a Shisa in front of the shrine, You can enjoy the Ryukyu culture.

On New Year's day, 30 hundred thousand people visit Naminoue shrine. Okinawan people have been praying for the fertility, good harvest, and peopce to goddess of Niraikanai(World of Gods). Niraikanai means "a place gods live/ paradice". People believe that Niraikanai is in across the sea.

Even today, people visit the shrine to dedicate praying to Gods. Here is also a place for wedding, The shrine was destroyed from the war, the srine now was rebuilt. After 1989, the shrine was completed, hence all the building and facilities look new. At Naminoue shrine, you can get a original red ink stamp and Bingata lucky charm. It's a good souvenir!

Pictures

Naminoue Shrine Information

Name	Naminoue Shrine
Tel/Fax:	TEL：0988-68-3697 TEL：0988-68-4219
Address:	Postcode: 1-25-11 Wakasa Naha-city Okinawa Souvenir Tourism Food Hotel
Access	It takes about 15 minutes from Naha airport by a car(6.2miles) It takes about 15-25 minutes from Kokusai street (2.4miles) Monorail : From Kencho-mae station, it takes about 10 minutes by a bus/ 15-20 minutes by walking Take a bus No.25/26/99 , get off at Kenchi-kitaguchi station, From Palette Kumoji-mae bus stop, take a bus No.2/5/15/45, get off at Nishinjo bus stop. 3minutes walk to Shrine.
Hours	Open year around
Closed	Open year around

Fees

Fees	Lucky amulet : 200-1,000yen Lucky charm : 300-800yen Ema (votive wooden tablet of a horse) : 300-500yen Original red ink stamp book : 1,300-1,500yen

How to pay

Budget	0～1500yen
Optional fee	0
Credit card	Not available
Currency	JPY
Reservation	Reservation is available

Facilities

Parking	Parking lots : 20 lots maximum available (free) There are several charged parking lots availbale near the Shrine

Information

Time	About 30 minutes
Smorking	You are not allowed to smoke in non smoking area There is a smoking spot close to the Shrine office
e.t.c

A little advise from Churashima travel

A brief comment	Naminoue shrine is a spot where you can't miss. It is the most important shrine on Okinawa. Visiting here gives you a good luck.
Important notice	There are many visitors at shrine especially on weekends. It's recommended to go on weekdays.
What to bring	You may need to wait in a line when the place is crowded, it's recommended to bring sunshade to avoid heatstroke.