Mt. Mitake Observatory and Mitake Shrine
Mitake Shrine is located at the summit of Mt. Mitake. The shrine and summit are part of the Nakatsu-miya shrine precincts, connected to the main sanctuary by a walking path. The shrine buildings date to no later than the sixteenth century and have a commanding view over the island and towards Okinoshima. In earlier times, rituals were performed in a clearing on the mountaintop. These were performed during the same period that rituals were conducted at Takamiya Saijo ritual site near Hetsu-miya and at the ritual sites on Okinoshima. This ancient ritual site is off-limits to the public and tucked away in the trees behind the shrine.
A recently built observation platform on the summit of Mt. Mitake offers a sweeping view of the Genkai Sea, including Okinoshima and the islands of Iki and Tsushima to the north. The view to the south includes both Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City. There is a marker on the ground to indicate the direction of Okinoshima.