Most people will recognize Sefa Utaki solely by one picture alone.
Yet, there's much more to the most sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom than merely that rock formation.
In fact, there's a significant history behind the place; so much so, that it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with 8 others in Okinawa, under "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu."
Getting there these days with GPS isn't a challenge, especially using the pin below.
However, with the uprise in tourism, parking can be. If you want to park closer to the roadway leading to Sefa Utaki, you may need to wait a while. Alternatively, you can go to the overflow parking nearest to Cape Chinen.
Take note of the building as you approach. It's not only a souvenir shop, and the first parking lot, but also where you'll purchase tickets.
Only groups will need to use the ticket counter, but, it does have a map, hours, and tour times on a sign above it.
Singles and families purchase their tickets from the vending machine.
Once you've picked your tickets, grab them and go.
Head towards to post office, the orange "JP" building across the road, and swing a right.
You'll know you're headed in the right direction if you're on a roadway with tourist trap after tourist trap selling merchandise and shaved ice, which can be a delight if you choose to go on a hot summer's day.
Eventually, you'll reach the entrance to Sefa Utaki in which you'll hand in your ticket through the window, be guided to a room to learn more about the site where you can wait up to 30 minutes to resume on, and then be off on your way after enough people have left.
Once your group is ready to go, optionally stamp the back of your pamphlet as you exit the rear of the building for a token of visiting and follow the sign through.
You'll end up seeing the pathway leading to Uroka first. This place is off-limits, so continue on to the entrance Ujoguchi, the entrance to the Utaki. Be careful walking this path though. The slight uphill walk can be quite slippery.
Continue on the path straight through, stopping at Ufugui, the first place of worship, rounding the stone walkway and making your way to Yuinchi, or, the "kitchen" at the time.
From this point, you'll turn around and then head back to the "T" in the road.
This time, you'll swing a left where you'll pass the Shikiyodayuru and Amadayura Jugs, two jugs placed to collect holy water dripping from stalactites above, before seeing what appears to be a cave, but in fact, the entrance that might've only came to experience.
After the turn through the rocks, you can't help but notice the Sangui; the two stalactites in a triangular formation, each a place of worship, pictured above.
Beyond that, there is an excellent opening. Through it, there's a clear view of Kudaka Island in the Pacific to the east.
The entire walk-through of Sefa Utaki should take no more than 30 minutes, and, remember to be careful to watch your step on the stone pathway back out.
If you go on a summer's day, the exit will have some covered benches to rest on with misting fans to cool you off, much like the one seen at the entrance.
In the event that you're still too hot as there's a long walk back, you can always grab some cool drinks or ice cream from the souvenir shop when you're all done!
Yet, there's much more to the most sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom than merely that rock formation.
In fact, there's a significant history behind the place; so much so, that it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with 8 others in Okinawa, under "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu."
Getting there these days with GPS isn't a challenge, especially using the pin below.
However, with the uprise in tourism, parking can be. If you want to park closer to the roadway leading to Sefa Utaki, you may need to wait a while. Alternatively, you can go to the overflow parking nearest to Cape Chinen.
Take note of the building as you approach. It's not only a souvenir shop, and the first parking lot, but also where you'll purchase tickets.
Only groups will need to use the ticket counter, but, it does have a map, hours, and tour times on a sign above it.
Singles and families purchase their tickets from the vending machine.
Once you've picked your tickets, grab them and go.
Head towards to post office, the orange "JP" building across the road, and swing a right.
You'll know you're headed in the right direction if you're on a roadway with tourist trap after tourist trap selling merchandise and shaved ice, which can be a delight if you choose to go on a hot summer's day.
Eventually, you'll reach the entrance to Sefa Utaki in which you'll hand in your ticket through the window, be guided to a room to learn more about the site where you can wait up to 30 minutes to resume on, and then be off on your way after enough people have left.
Once your group is ready to go, optionally stamp the back of your pamphlet as you exit the rear of the building for a token of visiting and follow the sign through.
You'll end up seeing the pathway leading to Uroka first. This place is off-limits, so continue on to the entrance Ujoguchi, the entrance to the Utaki. Be careful walking this path though. The slight uphill walk can be quite slippery.
Continue on the path straight through, stopping at Ufugui, the first place of worship, rounding the stone walkway and making your way to Yuinchi, or, the "kitchen" at the time.
From this point, you'll turn around and then head back to the "T" in the road.
This time, you'll swing a left where you'll pass the Shikiyodayuru and Amadayura Jugs, two jugs placed to collect holy water dripping from stalactites above, before seeing what appears to be a cave, but in fact, the entrance that might've only came to experience.
After the turn through the rocks, you can't help but notice the Sangui; the two stalactites in a triangular formation, each a place of worship, pictured above.
Beyond that, there is an excellent opening. Through it, there's a clear view of Kudaka Island in the Pacific to the east.
The entire walk-through of Sefa Utaki should take no more than 30 minutes, and, remember to be careful to watch your step on the stone pathway back out.
If you go on a summer's day, the exit will have some covered benches to rest on with misting fans to cool you off, much like the one seen at the entrance.
In the event that you're still too hot as there's a long walk back, you can always grab some cool drinks or ice cream from the souvenir shop when you're all done!
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