Okinoshima Town
Okinoshima Town Office
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History and the Divine Reside in This Mystic Land
A sanctuary where the Earth’s memory lives on
The Oki Islands, just 50 minutes from Osaka Itami Airport, are designated as both a UNESCO Global Geopark and a National Park. Comprising four inhabited islands and 180 smaller islets, this extraordinary region preserves a geological story spanning 250 million years, with untouched landscapes ranging from rugged sea cliffs to tranquil primeval forests.
A unique ecosystem nurtured by island isolation, obsidian that reveals human exchange dating back 30,000 years, imperial exile, and the maritime trade of the Kitamaebune—all form a cultural heritage that continues to this day.
Sensing the presence of the divine in this ancient land, islanders have long offered Oki Classical Sumo as sacred rituals during auspicious occasions.
A tapestry of awe, devotion, and human warmth—Oki Classical Sumo is a living story where the memories of antiquity and human life intersect in a way found nowhere else.
Prayers and Humanity Alive on the Island
District Pride and Japanese Virtues: Oki Classical Sumo
On these islands, Oki Classical Sumo is performed during every auspicious occasion as an expression of gratitude and prayer. From young children to seniors, islanders step onto the sacred ring with nothing but a loincloth, embodying a tradition deeply woven into daily life. Training halls are active throughout the region, and many residents devote themselves to daily practice—sumo is truly a living culture here.
Wrestlers chosen to represent their districts are selected not only for skill, but for their character, contributions to the community, and the balance of mind, technique, and body. Carrying the pride and bonds of their villages, they enter the ring and compete through the night—each bout a supreme ritual where human wishes and the presence of the divine come together.
Two matches are held, and when the wrestlers split the results—one win and one loss—they honor each other’s achievement. This is Oki’s unique “Ninjō Sumo,” a tradition rooted in compassion and mutual respect. Within these inherited Japanese virtues, one can feel the profound spiritual sensibility of the Japanese people.
ACCESS
Shimane Prefecture / Oki Islands
Flight (direct)approx. 50min
High‑speed boat approx. 1h
Ferry approx. 2h 30minHigh‑speed boat approx. 1h
The Island Unites as One: A Sacred Sumo Rite Fueled by Devotion
Oki Classical Sumo
An ancient tradition—both sacred rite and deeply human sumo
Oki Classical Sumo is performed whenever the island celebrates major occasions—shrine festivals, the completion of public facilities, and other community milestones. During the intense 20‑hour event, being chosen as a district’s representative Yakurikishi and stepping onto the ring is the highest honor. The bonds among the roughly 200 wrestlers and the communities that support them are the force that unites the entire island.
Each contest is fought in two bouts, ending in one win and one loss, so that both sides can share in honor—this is Oki’s unique “Ninjō Sumo,” rooted in humanity and mutual respect.
Spectators join in with wholehearted cheers and throw salt together, with the total amount reaching as much as two tons. At the end of the bout, the Yakurikishi receives the sacred pillar set upon the ring, shares a ceremonial cup, and forms a lifelong brotherhood.
During the Sengū Taikai at Mizuwakasu Shrine, a sacred three‑tiered ring is constructed—this site also became the setting for the film Kon‑Shin.
A Hundred Shrines Reflect an Ancient Sense of Reverence
Shrines Rooted in the Island’s Enduring Connection to Nature
An island shaped by a deep, time‑honored respect for nature
On Okinoshima, each village has its own shrine, and the total is said to exceed one hundred. For generations, islanders have sensed the presence of something greater in mountains, giant trees, waterfalls, and coastal rocks—honoring nature with quiet reverence and preserving these sacred places with care. Among them, four distinguished ancient shrines known as Myōjin Taisha stand out, reflecting the depth of spiritual heritage across the Oki Islands.
The classical sumo grounds at Mizuwakasu Shrine, the two‑thousand‑year‑old Yaosugi cedar at Tamawakasu Shrine, the kagura tradition at Ise Shrine, and the sacred Dangyō Falls, known as “the Water of Victory”…
This longstanding respect for nature conveys the pure, ancient form of Japanese spirituality.
Awe toward a presence beyond human understanding has quietly sustained island life, its festivals, and the spirit of Oki Classical Sumo through the ages.
A Miracle of Light Ignites on This Geopark‑Shaped Island
An Island Illuminated by the Setting Sun
Rōsoku‑jima: A once‑in‑a‑lifetime moment of light
Rising about twenty meters from the sea surface, Rōsoku‑jima is a striking sea stack carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. When the setting sun aligns perfectly with the tip of the rock, it glows like a giant candle being lit—an ephemeral, dreamlike moment that can only be witnessed from the boat, quietly stirring the senses of those who see it.
This dynamic natural sculpture is a symbol of Okinoshima, recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. A skilled captain guides the boat to the precise vantage point where the sun and rock meet.
The shifting interplay of light—changing with the season, weather, and movement of the waves—awakens a sense of awe toward the ancient breath of the Earth and offers a fitting, unforgettable climax to the journey.
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A Journey Guided by the Earth’s Memory and Living Traditions
The island’s sacred sumo tradition—preserved and passed down by its people—and the dynamic landscapes of this UNESCO Global Geopark come together to reveal the essence of Oki. A two‑night, three‑day journey invites you to experience the island’s history, its natural beauty, and the warmth of its community.