Okinoshima, an island floating in the Genkai Sea off the coast of Fukuoka Prefecture.

This small island, just four kilometers in circumference, has gained prominence with its designation as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

A photography exhibition featuring Okinoshima, captured by photographer and writer Shinya Fujiwara, is currently being held at Nihonbashi Takashimaya in Tokyo from Wednesday, July 19th to Tuesday, August 1st.

Access to Okinoshima is strictly limited for the general public, and visitors must undergo a purification ritual with seawater before landing.

The ancient rule prohibiting the removal of even a single blade of grass, tree, or stone from the island is still strictly observed today.

From the late 4th to the 9th century, this island served as a crucial site for state rituals conducted by the Yamato court.

It remains a sacred place where a single Shinto priest from Munakata Taisha offers daily prayers.