For centuries, the bluff above Namanoue Beach has been a spiritual place for the Ryukyu religion. The king would pray to the god of the sea for safe journeys, good fishing and harvests, and peace. In 1890, the Naminoue Shrine was officially accepted into the Shinto pantheon. Symbols of the Ryukyu kings were placed inside as objects of worship, linking the faiths and strengthening the protective nature.
Naminoue Shrine (波上宮 Naminoue-gū), translates to “Above the Waves Shrine” and is the primary shrine in the prefecture. Unfortunately the buildings were destroyed in 1945, but over time they have been rebuilt, with the most recent additions to the grounds in 1993.
The brightly colored building with red lacquer columns and white walls with yellow detailing is quite impressive, rising on its rocky promontory above the beach. Naminoue Shrine is only a few minutes’ walk from Kokusai-dori in Naha, Okinawa. The closest public transportation is the Kume Yubinkyoku-mae stop of the Naha city bus.
Naminoue Shrine in Naha, Okinawa
Be sure to visit Naminoue Shrine if you are planning to relax at Naminoue Beach. It also makes a good destination for a morning walk.
