The Sacred Island of Japan Where Women Are Forbidden to Enter

In Japan, there is a place shrouded in mystery and ancient traditions - the island of Okinoshima. It is located in Fukuoka Prefecture and is considered sacred. Only the chosen ones can visit here, and the main condition is that women are strictly forbidden to enter.

The ban dates back to ancient religious beliefs. It is believed that the presence of women may disrupt the spiritual purity of the place. Men who visit the island must observe strict rituals: before landing, they undergo a ritual of ablution in the sea, and on the island, they have no right to take anything with them or even talk about what they saw.

Okinoshima is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here are ancient shrines built in honor of the sea deity, to whom sailors and fishermen prayed for safe sailing and rich catches. Archaeological findings confirm that rituals were performed on the island for centuries and offerings were brought from different countries of Asia.

Today, only a few dozen people visit the island each year, and these are mainly clergy. The unique combination of strict rules, spiritual significance, and historical heritage makes Okinoshima one of the most closed and mysterious places on the planet.