What to know
Sefa Utaki (斎場御嶽) is a major sacred site of Okinawa's indigenous religion, which, like Shinto, centers on nature worship. Located on a forested hillside overlooking the ocean, the site comprises several rock formations connected by walking trails. It is part of Okinawa's UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Although already considered a powerful spiritual place, Sefa Utaki rose to prominence in the early 16th century. During that time, the Okinawan religion was reorganized and centralized under the royal government, and Sefa Utaki became a key venue for religious ceremonies and rituals. Reflecting the close bond between the royal family and the faith, the prayer sites here were named after important locations in Shuri Castle.
Sefa Utaki lies in southeastern Okinawa Honto, about 15 kilometers from Naha.
Direct buses (numbers 38 or 338) run infrequently from Naha Bus Terminal to Sefa Utaki Iriguchi (斎場御嶽入口, 60 minutes, 850 yen), from where the site is a 5-10 minute walk. For more frequent service, transfer buses in Nanjo City.
By car, it takes about 45 minutes to reach Sefa Utaki from central Naha.
How to get to and around Okinawa Honto
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:30 November through February)
- Closed
- Three days each during the 5th and 10th month of the lunar calendar, which corresponds to May/June and October/November in the solar calendar
- Admission
- 300 yen (~$1.92)
- English name
- Sefa Utaki
- Original name
- Sefa Utaki
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.