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.

Getting there and around

Sefa Utaki is located in the southeast of Okinawa Honto, about 15 kilometers from Naha.

By bus

Take bus number 38 or 338 from Naha Bus Terminal to Sefa Utaki Iriguchi (斎場御嶽入口, 60 minutes, 850 yen, every 2-4 hours), 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

Hours and Fees

Hours

Closed

Admission

Typical Visit Duration

Hotels around Okinawa Island

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    • La Passione Boutique B&B
      Budget-friendly
      Boasting city views, La Passione Boutique B&B features accommodation with terrace, around 2.2 km from Naminoue Beach. This 1-star bed and breakfast offers a shared kitchen, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The rooms are fitted with a balcony. Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a private bathroom and a well-fitted kitchen including a dishwasher, oven, microwave and a toaster. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also offered, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. At the bed and breakfast, units have bed linen and towels. Continental and Asian breakfast options with warm dishes, local specialities and pancakes are available each morning at the bed and breakfast. There is a coffee shop and lounge. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.1 km from La Passione Boutique B&B, while Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.
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    • Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts-
      Mid-range
      Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts- features accommodation within 700 metres of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and a stovetop. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.4 km from Naminoue Beach. The accommodation offers a lift and full-day security for guests. At the aparthotel, every unit comes with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.7 km from the aparthotel, while Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts-.
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    • Hotel Collective
      Luxury
      In a prime location in Naha, Hotel Collective offers an American breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. Offering a restaurant, the property also has a fitness centre, as well as a sauna and a hot tub. The accommodation provides a kids' club, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. Naminoue Beach is 1.8 km from the hotel, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.5 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.
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    • Living Inn Nahakoumae
      Mid-range
      Living Inn Nahakoumae offers accommodation within 1.2 km of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and kitchenware. It is set 1.3 km from Naminoue Beach and features a lift. The aparthotel has family rooms. All units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and kettle. All units feature a private bathroom, a hair dryer and bed linen. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 5.4 km from the aparthotel, while Sefa Utaki is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Living Inn Nahakoumae.
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    • Hotel GrandConsort Naha
      Luxury
      Located in the centre of Naha, Hotel GrandConsort Naha is situated 1.5 km from Naminoue Beach and 4.2 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. This 4-star hotel offers a shared lounge, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel GrandConsort Naha every room comes with bed linen and towels. Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 21 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.
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    • JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha
      Luxury
      JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha offers accommodation in Naha. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant during their stay. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and private parking is available on site for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is completely non-smoking and fully equipped with barrier-free facilities. Each of the hotel's carpeted rooms is air-conditioned and soundproofed. The rooms have a flat-screen satellite TV. The bed is equipped with a Simmons pocket coil mattress. Rooms are equipped with an electric kettle, clothes rack and refrigerator. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bathtub. Towels, bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and free toiletries are also provided. There is also a safety deposit box and a laptop safe. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Drinks vending machines and a free trouser press are available on site. Paid massages and meeting/banquet facilities can be arranged for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is a 1-minute walk from Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping District and a 5-minute walk from Miebashi Monorail Station. Naha Airport is within 30 minutes by train.
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    • Okinawa EXES Naha
      Luxury
      Set in Naha, 1.2 km from Naminoue Beach, Okinawa EXES Naha offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. This 5-star hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The property is 4.9 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, and within 700 metres of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Okinawa EXES Naha all rooms come with bed linen and towels. Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the accommodation, while Sefa Utaki is 22 km away. Naha Airport is 4 km from the property.
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    • Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER
      Luxury
      Conveniently located in the centre of Naha, Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER offers buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Guests can enjoy city views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER all rooms have bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 2.8 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 17 km from the property. Naha Airport is 7 km away.
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    • Ryujin Hotel Ukishima
      Mid-range
      Ryujin Hotel Ukishima features accommodation within 600 metres of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with an oven, a microwave and a toaster. With city views, this accommodation offers a terrace. The aparthotel has family rooms. All units are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. There is a private bathroom with bath in all units, along with a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the aparthotel, all units are soundproof. Naminoue Beach is 1.8 km from the aparthotel, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Ryujin Hotel Ukishima.
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    • Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha
      Luxury
      Boasting a garden, a shared lounge as well as a restaurant, Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha is situated in the centre of Naha, 1.9 km from Naminoue Beach. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 5 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. At Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Sefa Utaki is 21 km from Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha, while Nakagusuku Castle is 22 km from the property. Naha Airport is 3 km away.
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Experiences around Okinawa Island

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