Tokashiki Shrine

Tokashiki Shrine stands about 700 meters from the harbor on the main road through town, at the foot of Mt. Kumichiji. It was overseen by a noro, a female priestess of the Ryukyuan religion, until the Meiji government banned the noro system in 1879 after annexing Okinawa. The torii gate bears an inscription dated 1937, confirming it survived the American bombardment of World War II. A shrine bell made from a repurposed diving cylinder hangs to the left of the approach. The shrine follows the lunar calendar for most of its ceremonies: Umachi harvest festivals in the fifth and sixth months, the annual Tokashiki Tug-of-War in the sixth month, the Tanetorisai seed-selection festival in the tenth month, and New Year prayers in January.