Sefa-utaki
UNESCO World Heritage
斎場御嶽
In Okinawa, utaki are natural sacred places, and Sefa-utaki in Nanjo City was a place of pilgrimage and worship for the kings and queens of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The highest priestess of the Ryukyu faith, the kikoeokimi, was connected with this site. Paths lead through forest and large rock formations, and from one spot you can see Kudaka Island in the sea to the east. Parts of the site were damaged in World War II. Sefa-utaki is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu".
Visitor information
- Getting there
From Naha Bus Terminal take the Toyo Bus Shikiya Line and get off at Sefa Utaki Mae; the entrance is a short walk away.
- Time needed
An official Nanjo bus itinerary allows about 2 hours here.
Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.
Good to know
- The rocks and stones are sacred. Do not climb, damage or remove them; stay on the paths.
- Walk, don't run, and talk quietly. Do not stand on the stone incense burners.
- Entry into the Sanguui area (the triangular rock passage) is prohibited.
Tips for Muslim visitors
- The rocks and stones of Sefa-utaki are sacred objects; do not climb on, damage or remove them.
- Some people come here to worship. Do not talk to them or photograph them; visitors may simply look around.
- Entry into the Sanguui area is prohibited.
- Shinto shrines are open to everyone. Bowing, clapping and washing at the purification basin are optional; you can simply look around.
- Shrines are usually busiest at New Year and during festivals. Early morning is often the calmest time to visit.
- Charms, fortune slips and votive tablets are religious items. You do not need to buy or use them.
- Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Okinawa and the verified places to pray nearby.
- Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.
Prayer times in Okinawa
Today (5 Nov 2026)
- Fajr05:13
- Sunrise06:41
- Dhuhr12:15
- Asr15:22
- Maghrib17:45
- Isha19:03
Times are calculated for Naha. Times may differ elsewhere in Okinawa.
Places to pray near Sefa-utaki
Halal food near Sefa-utaki
We have not verified a halal restaurant near here yet. Until then, these guides can help you choose food safely:
Distances and walking times are estimates based on straight-line distance.
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Map
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Photo: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources (Checked 5 Nov 2026): visitokinawajapan.com, kankou-nanjo.okinawa, pref.okinawa.jp