East Circle

A long time ago, a god descended from Nirai Kanai, far away in the ocean, to the beach where there is an island in the south.

His name was Amamikiyo, and he set up a gusuku, gave birth to children, planted rice, and created people. At some point, he came to be called the ancestral god by the people, and was enshrined in Ontake, where he became the object of prayers for national safety and a bountiful harvest of five grains.

Since ancient times, in Okinawa, the east where the sun rises is called "rising", and it was thought that it was the direction of the sacred place where the utopia, Nirai Kanai, is located.

The East Circle is an event to visit a sacred place where the creator god Amamikiyo is said to have come from Nirai Kanai and settled there.

It is a pilgrimage centered on Shuri Castle and is called the East where the sun rises, or the East Shimajiri, and is a pilgrimage that goes around the sacred places scattered around Tamaki, Chinen, Sashiki, and Osato, which were areas closely related to the worship of the sun god.

The current course of the "East Circle" was designated by the Ryukyu Kingdom as a national ritual route. Departing from Sonohiya Take-Ontake in Shuri, passing through the worship places of Yonabaru and Sashiki, entering Chinen, worshiping the Tida Mikawa, and reaching Sefu Utaki.

In addition, you will visit a total of 14 sacred places on the itinerary to visit Chinen Gusuku, Chinen Okawa, Yaharazukasa, Ukinju Inju, etc., and Tamaki Gusuku.

Pilgrimages to sacred places in the East, which are closely related to the myth of the Ryukyu Kaibyaku and the Ryukyu Kingdom, and recently, more and more people are making the "Eastern Pilgrimage" as a "guidepost of self-discovery" or as a "healthy requirement" to heal the mind and body.

Attitude of the Eastern Circle

1. Bow and say hello.

2. Approach with respect and cleanse your body.

3. Don't interfere with prayer

4. Do not take anything that is in the Holy Land.

5. Do not litter or pollute.

6. Ditch high heels and wear shoes that are easy to walk in.

7. Beware of hubs.

8. Be careful because there are many mosquitoes.

9. Don't make a fire.

10. Check the overview

11. Follow a guide wherever he is