(All photos by Tsuneo Nakamura)
The sacred island of Okinoshima was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO on July 9 at a meeting held in Krakow, Poland.
Okinoshima is home to one employee of the Okitsumiya shrine which was established in the 17th century.
The island is off-limits to women and 200 male visitors are allowed each year but must undergo a purification ritual on arrival.
