About 140 years ago, Okinawa was an independent nation called the Ryukyu Kingdom, which had prospered in trade with both Japan and China and held a history spanning about 450 years.
Cultures have different views on life and death and different gods to worship and believe in. In Ryukyu, the people referred to nature itself as “utaki”, and these utaki became an object of faith which they prayed to and worshiped as holy lands.
In Okinawa, there is a myth surrounding this:
“Long ago, A goddess called Amamikyo was ordered by the most supreme god to come down to Okinawa and create seven utaki.”
One of these seven is Sefa-utaki, Okinawa’s most revered utaki, where the royal family prayed for the prosperity of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Recall the churches and mausoleums of your country. There probably weren’t any boisterous people around. The same holds true in Sefa-utaki, so let’s try to avoid being too loud. We also ask that you take nothing—not even a single stone or blade of grass--outside of the sanctuary.
We’re going to enter the holy land from here on out, but have you come wearing something easy to walk with? The stone pavement can be slippery, so if you haven’t, it’s best to borrow a pair of non-slip slippers from the reception desk and change shoes.