The shrine has been maintained in relatively the same condition since the Shōwa period, prior to which it had undergone repair and rebuilding several times.

Japan's two oldest historical documents, the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, include references to Okinoshima.

[3] The Kojiki states that the sun goddess Amaterasu created three daughters from a sword and sent them to Japan where they were worshiped by the Munakata clan.

[1] Prior to receiving UNESCO World Heritage status in 2017, two hundred people (all-male) would visit the island once a year to celebrate the 1905 victory at the battle of Tsushima situated nearby.

[3] The sacred view of Okinoshima and various taboos and prohibitions may have deterred travel to the island and preserved the artifacts.

In exchange for safe passage, fishermen provided offerings that included swords, flat-iron ingots, elaborate mirrors and bronze dragon heads.

According to legend, the tower began to shake, bright objects streaked through the sky, and diseases plagued Nagamasa's people.

[11] Local residents had expressed their worry that the island's inclusion on the UNESCO list would cause an increase of tourism that would threaten its sacredness.

Takayuki Ashizu, the chief priest at Munakata Taisha, said that regardless whether or not Okinoshima is added to the UNESCO cultural heritage list, they would not open it to the public because "people shouldn't visit out of curiosity.