【Designated by the City：Historic Site】Kurohama Utaki Sacred Site

Kurohama Utaki is located west-northwest of Sawada, Irabu Island, facing the reef lagoon of the shore of Sawada. It enshrines brother-sister gods of birth.The Utaki holds the legend on the origin of the island; the first children between the brother and sister gods were Buhuzu fish, the second was Apa fish, and the third was Unazu sea snake. They released them in the sea. They felt sad and asked the god for advice. Then they received a teaching that they should put Yuna leaves between them when they went to sleep at night.
They followed the advice, and later a human was born as their fourth child, and people eventually spread all over the island.
According to custom, women born in Sawada and Nagahama, and couples who have been blessed with children after offering prayers to Kurohama Utaki attend a ritual called “Prayers of June,” held on the day of the bird in June of the lunar calendar. After the Nigai ceremony, Pukauzaki is held facing the sea, wishing for safe journeys of travelers.
The site was once designated as a natural monument for its plant community. When the vegetation changed, however, the designation was cancelled. It is currently designated as a historic site.