Naminoue-gu Shrine

Located in Wakasa, Naha City, this shrine is the foremost of the Ryukyu Hachasha (Eight Great Shrines of the Ryukyu Kingdom) and is revered as the chief guardian deity of Okinawa. The enshrined deities are the Kumano Gongen trio: Isora-no-Mikoto, Hayatama-no-Ookami, and Kotohira-no-Ookami. Although the founding date is unknown, the shrine has been situated on a cliff overlooking the sea (literally 'above the waves') since the Ryukyu Kingdom era, where it was venerated as a protective shrine for the royal government. The Ryukyu Hachasha were official shrines managed by the Ryukyu Kingdom, with Naminoue-gu holding the highest rank. The vermilion-painted shrine buildings stand on a high ground overlooking Naha Port, contrasting beautifully with the blue sea and sky, forming one of Okinawa's iconic landscapes. The shrine was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 CE (Showa 20) but was rebuilt in the post-war period. As the oldest and most prestigious shrine in Okinawa Prefecture, it serves as the center for citizens' life rituals, including Hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year), first shrine visits for newborns, and Shichi-Go-San (a ceremony for children aged seven, five, and three).