A strange island where women are forbidden to enter!

The Dhaka Times Desk A strange island where women are forbidden to enter! Located in Okinoshima, Japan, this island has an area of less than 0.3 square miles.

According to media reports, one of the three main Japanese religious monasteries is located on this island. That is why the island is very sacred to the Japanese. This island is located off the southern coast of Kyushu, Japan. A special feature of this island is that there are no women here. Not only that, women are also prohibited from entering here!

According to various sources, fishermen used to come here in the fourth century and pray for their safety. Only priests and monks live on this island. The island also has many valuable artefacts from the historical era. The island has at least 80,000 artefacts discovered from the Korean peninsula. The Japanese government has declared this island as a national treasure.

It is known that the entry of women to this island was completely prohibited since ancient times. The island is looked after by the priests of the monastery. Residents of the local Shinto religion consider the island to be the abode of the gods. Hence the island is known as a holy place to them. There is no clear information on why women are banned from the island. However, there is an opinion that women were not taken there in the past because the way to the island from the mainland was dangerous.

It is known that Shinto priests control the island of Okinoshima. The priests have imposed strict restrictions on travel to the island for common people. The annual festival of the monastery is held here every year in May. At that time, this law was somewhat relaxed, but entry to the island was completely prohibited for non-religious people. The laws of the island are so strict for people visiting the island that they cannot take even a stone or a leaf from the island. Local residents also follow these laws. Due to which the natural environment of the island looks very attractive.

A leader of the island's fishermen said, 'The local fishermen have considered the island important since ancient times, which is why they are also protected.'

Meanwhile, the Japanese government has decided to nominate Okinoshima Island as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is said to be one of the 5 sites proposed by Japan for UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017.

But Shinto priests are very concerned about the influx of tourists here. Priests have also expressed a cautious response to this. Takayuki Ashizu, head priest of Munakata's three top monasteries, said, 'Even if it is included as a UNESCO heritage site, we will not open the island to the general public. It is not proper for ordinary people to approach the gods without a proper reason.'

It should be noted that this is not the only religious place where women are prohibited from entering Japan; Mount Sanjo in Yoshino-Kumano National Park on Honshu Island is also off-limits to women. The mountain has been a pilgrimage site for Buddhists since the seventh century.