日本の国立公園さんのインスタグラム写真 - (日本の国立公園Instagram)「Uncover the heart of Ryukyuan culture in Okinawa ❤️🏝️ Between the larger Okinawan islands of Iriomote and Ishigaki in Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, you'll find the mystical heart-shaped Kuroshima Island. Like many of the islands throughout the former Ryukyu Kingdom, Kuroshima Island has a number of utaki, sacred places where a village’s guardian deity is enshrined. 🤔🗾 Utaki are usually placed atop hills or on the side of mountains with locals traditionally building their villages around them. Ibi, concealed within huge rocks and ancient trees, are the holiest of utaki spaces, the place for goddesses. Adjacent to the ibi are the ibinume, where open-air stone incense burners and platform stones are placed. Finally, the kami asagi serve as places near utaki where festivals are held to invite the guardian deity. They are often set up in houses with low eaves, no walls, and no flooring. ⛰🌳 There are more than 10 utaki in revered spots across Kuroshima Island, but only eight of them are recognized by the Ryukyu Kingdom, referred to as Yaiyama. These utaki hold deep significance for the local community, so unauthorized entry is prohibited. Visitors are allowed to approach the gate, but cannot proceed any further. 🙅‍♀️⛩ 📍 Kuroshima Island, Okinawa 📸 Torii gate guiding the entrance to the Ngishitowan #NationalParksJP #IriomoteishigakiNationalPark #Kuroshima #Okinawa #RyukyuKingdom #Utaki #SacredSpaces #AncientKingdom #AncientCulture #BeautifulIslands #Japan #Travel #Tourism #ExploreJapan #DiscoverJapan #VisitJapan #日本 #国立公園」10月27日 10時00分