By ando 
Futenma-gu jinja (ふてんまぐう), located in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture, is one of the “Ryukyu Hachisha” (Eight Shrines of Ryukyu) that has received special reverence since the Ryukyu Kingdom era. It is known as the largest sacred site in the central part of the prefecture. Locally, it is also called “Futenma Gongen” and has long been deeply worshipped as a kami of safe voyages, bountiful harvests, and matchmaking.
However, the true allure of this jinja lies in the “mysterious cave” hidden behind its splendid haiden (main worship hall) and the enigmatic legends associated with it.
Basic Information
Location: Okinawa Prefecture, Ginowan City, Futenma 1-27-10
Main Kami: Kumano Gongen (Izanami no Mikoto, Hayatamao no Mikoto, Kototsukao no Mikoto, etc.), Ancient Ryukyuan Shinto Kami (Hi no Kami (Sun Goddess), Ryugu-jin (Dragon Palace Kami), Futenma Megami (Futenma Goddess), etc.)
History: The founding date is unknown, but it is said that Kumano Gongen were enshrined together by the mid-15th century (during the reigns of King Sho Kinpuku to King Sho Taikyu).
A Peerless Beauty Becomes a Goddess? The Legend of Futenma Megami
Futenma-gu jinja holds a poignant legend about a beautiful woman.
Long ago, in Toubaru (とうばる) of Shuri, there lived a woman of peerless beauty who avoided others. So stunning was she that she intensely disliked being seen by anyone, spending her days secluded in her home, weaving cloth.
One day, her younger sister’s husband, unable to resist his curiosity and desire to see her face, secretly peeked at her. Realizing this, she was overcome by shame and sorrow, fled her home, and vanished as if drawn into Futenma’s cave.
Since then, she came to be enshrined as “Futenma Megami,” and the cave has been revered as a sacred place.
An Otherworldly Realm Beyond the Haiden: Futenma-gu Doketsu (Futenma-gu Cave)
The biggest highlight of Futenma-gu jinja is the Futenma-gu Doketsu, a limestone cave approximately 280 meters long, extending behind the shaden (shrine building). It is designated as a scenic spot of Ginowan City and still serves as a sacred Oku-gu (inner sanctuary).
Discovery of Mysterious Fossils: Inside the cave, over 200 sets of remains of animals like the “Ryukyu Deer” and “Ryukyu Muntjac,” which became extinct tens of thousands of years ago, have been discovered. Ancient pottery has also been unearthed, proving that this place has not only been a site of worship since ancient times but also where the memories of primeval life slumber.
Sacred Stone for Matchmaking: Within the cave, there is an inyo-seki (yin-yang stone) called “Kohitsuji-iwa,” which is secretly gaining popularity as a power spot for matchmaking and fertility.
How to Visit: You cannot enter the cave freely. You need to apply at the Juyosho (shrine office) and be guided by a miko (shrine maiden). Inside the tranquil cave, a sacred atmosphere pervades, making the hustle and bustle outside seem unreal.
A Fateful History with US Military Bases
Futenma-gu jinja is deeply intertwined with Okinawa’s tumultuous history. During World War II, the goshintai (sacred object embodying the kami) was evacuated to Itoman in the southern part of the main island to escape the ravages of war. After the war, the shrine grounds were requisitioned by the US military, temporarily becoming part of a US military base (Futenma Airfield).
Later, in 1949, the grounds were liberated, and the goshintai was finally returned to its original location. Today, a vast base still stretches out right next to the jinja, and the striking contrast between the tranquil shrine grounds and the base silently tells the story of Okinawa’s challenging history.
Pop Culture Connection: Anime ‘Harukana Receive’
Futenma-gu jinja is also known as a pilgrimage site for ‘Harukana Receive,’ a beach volleyball anime set in Okinawa.
The jinja appears in a scene where the main characters visit for Hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year). Its distinctive red-tiled shaden and the atmosphere of the grounds are faithfully depicted, making it a must-visit spot for fans. Enjoy taking photos from the same angles as in the anime or praying for success in competitions, just as the characters did.
Futenma-gu jinja is not just a tourist spot; it is a wondrous place where Ryukyuan mythology, ancient nature, and modern history converge. When you visit Okinawa, be sure to step into the depths of the cave with a miko as your guide and feel the mysterious atmosphere where the goddess vanished.
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