Okinawa Travel: Sefa Utaki

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Sefa Utaki

of 21 most visited sights
in Okinawa Island

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Sefa Utaki (斎場御嶽) is an important sacred site of the indigenous Okinawan religion, which, similar to Shinto, places emphasis on the worship of nature. The site is located on a densely forested hillside along the ocean and features several rock formations, which are connected with each other by walking trails. Sefa Utaki is included as one of Okinawa's World Heritage sites.

Although regarded as a powerful spiritual site beforehand, it was in the early 16th century that Sefa Utaki came into prominence. During this period the Okinawan religion underwent reorganization and centralization under the royal government, and Sefa Utaki became one of the main locations for religious ceremonies and rituals. Reflecting the strong connection between the royal family and the religion, the sites for prayers at Sefa Utaki were named after important places in Shuri Castle.

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How to get there

Sefa Utaki is located on the southeastern side of Okinawa Honto, about 15 kilometers from Naha.

By bus

Take bus number 38 from Naha Bus Terminal to Sefa Utaki-mae (斎場御嶽前, 60 minutes, 810 yen, 1-2 buses/hour), from where the site can be reached in a 5-10 minute walk.

By car

By car, it takes about 45 minutes to reach Sefa Utaki from central Naha.

How to get to and around Okinawa Honto

Google Map

Hours and Fees

Hours:	9:00 to 18:00 (entry until 17:30)
Closed:	December 29 to January 3
Admission:	200 yen

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Tours and Packages

Okinawa Tours
Various tours and travel packages for Okinawa.

User Ratings

Ratings for Sefa Utaki:

japan-guide.com Rating:		outstanding
User Rating (by 16 users):	93/100	highly recommended

Best rated sights nationwide (out of 728):

26. Cherry Blossoms (Kakunodate) 93/100

27. Todaiji Temple (Nara) 93/100

28. Himeji Castle (Himeji) 93/100

29. Climbing Mount Fuji (Mount Fuji) 93/100

30. Peace Park (Hiroshima) 93/100

31. Sefa Utaki (Okinawa Island) 93/100

32. Yudono-san (Dewa Sanzan) 92/100

33. Katsuo no tataki (Kochi) 92/100

34. Kinkakuji (Kyoto) 92/100

35. Okunoin Temple (Mount Koya) 92/100

Most visited sights nationwide (out of 847):

652. Gas-san (Dewa Sanzan) 31

653. Otsuka Museum of Art (Naruto) 31

654. Aeronautical Museum (Narita) 31

655. Matsuyama Castle (Bitchu-Takahashi) 30

656. Ibusuki (Satsuma Peninsula) 30

657. Sefa Utaki (Okinawa Island) 30

658. Yokaichi Old Town (Uchiko) 29

659. Sado History Museum (Sado Island) 29

660. Museum of History (Narita) 29

661. Chureito Pagoda (Fuji Five Lakes) 29

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Related Pages

Travel
Sightseeing
Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Honto

Shinto
World Heritage Sites

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Shuri Castle
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Hedo Misaki

Nakagusuku Castle Ruins
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War Memorials
Okinawa World
Sefa Utaki

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