National park · Japan
Okinoshima沖ノ島
Skip unless you obtain official permission (women are prohibited); otherwise no public access.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2017
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
At a glance
- Country
- Japan
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Exact park area not published; island is small (check).
- Established
- 2017
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Okinoshima is a tiny, sacred island in Fukuoka Prefecture, home to a UNESCO‑listed Shinto shrine and a historic lighthouse; access is strictly controlled by permit and women are prohibited.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2017Okinoshima shrine site.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2017
Exact park area not published; island is small (check).
Why go
- Visit a UNESCO‑listed sacred Shinto shrine (access by special permit only).
- See the historic Okinoshima lighthouse on the rugged coastline.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, low rain.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarMild, before rainy season.
- AprPleasant, low humidity.
- MayWarm, still dry.
- JunStart of rainy season.
- JulRainy, humid.
- AugRainy, occasional typhoons.
- SepTyphoon risk.
- OctTyphoon risk.
- NovCool, clearer.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seabirds and migratory shorebirdsMar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Munakata (Fukuoka Prefecture)
Boat from Munakata Port; permission must be shown before boarding.
30–45 min
From Fukuoka City
Train to Munakata (≈1 h) then boat.
2 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Shrine area | Main sacred shrine and ritual sites. | Restricted; only with permit. |
| Lighthouse | Okinoshima Lighthouse on the western tip. | Visible from boat; landing requires permit. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centre on the island; exact positions of facilities may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (with permit) | Free | person | No public fee; permission required (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Visit permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Gender restriction
- Women are not allowed on the island at any time.
- Permits
- All visitors must hold a valid permit from the shrine office.
- Photography
- Photos of shrine interiors are prohibited without explicit permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Munakata town
Hotels and ryokan; base for boat trips.
Safety
Sea conditions medium
Restricted access high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boat landing area is uneven; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Respect the sacred nature; do not disturb shrine rituals.
- Carry out all waste; no facilities on the island.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Okinoshima?
There is no public entry fee, but you must obtain a special permit from the shrine; women are not allowed.
What are the best hikes in Okinoshima?
Formal hiking is not permitted; the island is visited mainly for the shrine and lighthouse via short walks under supervision.
When is the best time to visit Okinoshima?
Late spring (April–May) offers mild weather and low rain; avoid the rainy season (June–August) and typhoon months (September–October).
Can women visit Okinoshima?
No. Women are strictly prohibited from setting foot on the island.
How do I get to Okinoshima?
Take a boat from Munakata Port after securing a permit from the shrine office; the trip takes about 30–45 minutes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Okinoshima
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