Visiting Sefa-utaki

About Sefa-utaki

The most sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom's indigenous religion is a forested grove of prayer spaces among limestone rocks, where royal priestesses were once ordained. Its famous triangular rock passage frames a view of Kudaka Island, the island of the gods. It is UNESCO-listed.

Tip: Wear shoes with grip for the uneven stone paths, and treat it as an active place of worship by keeping voices low.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1 hour.
• Cost: Low cost.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Nanjo and the south, cliff-top cafés, sacred sites and war memorials south-east of Naha.

Best time to visit Sefa-utaki

Sefa-utaki is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:

• November: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds.
• April: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• October: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.

When to visit Okinawa has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day Okinawa itinerary visits Sefa-utaki on day 3, together with Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and Himeyuri Peace Museum.

• No. 8 of the 18 sights in our Okinawa things-to-do list.
• Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
• One of the picks in historic sites in Okinawa.

Near Sefa-utaki

Also in Nanjo and the south, so you can walk between them:

• Himeyuri Peace Museum — 1 hour, low cost
• Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
• Okinawa Peace Memorial Park — 2 hours, free

If you like Sefa-utaki

• Naminoue Shrine and Beach — Naha (Kokusai-dori), 1 hour

Staying near Sefa-utaki

Stay in Nanjo and the south ($$) to walk here: cliff-top cafés, sacred sites and war memorials south-east of Naha. All areas to stay in Okinawa.

Questions travellers ask