Heading to Fukuoka City and looking for some interesting shrines and temples to visit? If so, you are in luck! Fukuoka has quite a few unique shrines and temples, some of which you can participate in traditional rituals. Here is a list of our favorites!
- Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社)
- Sumiyoshi Shrine (住吉神社)
- Kego Shrine (警固神社)
- Tōkaebisu Shrine (十日恵比須神社)
- Iimori Shrine (飯盛神社)
- Momiji Hachimangū Shrine (紅葉八幡宮)
Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社)
The Kushida Shrine is the host of the biggest event in Fukuoka. But if you can’t attend the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in person in mid-July, the shrine is the only place in the city where you can examine the magnificent festival float.
The shrine also has a few more interesting festivals throughout the year. And when you stop by the shrine, be sure to pray for longevity to the 1,000-year-old ginkgo tree!
For more information, please refer to our Kushida Shrine article.
Sumiyoshi Shrine (住吉神社)
If you love Sumo, you have to visit the Sumiyoshi Shrine in Hakata. The Sumiyoshi Shrine is located in the heart of Hakata and is one of the oldest Sumiyoshi shrines in Japan. The shrine enshrines the god of Sumo. It is said that when you join hands with the statue, you can gain his gain strength!
There is a sumo wrestling arena, and a Sumo Festival is held at the shrine in mid-October.
There is also a large pine tree at the shrine. If you help clean the area, it is said to bring good luck and longevity and help improve family relations.
For more information, please refer to our Sumiyoshi Shrine article.
Kego Shrine (警固神社)
Located in the middle of the bustling Tenjin commercial area, the Kego Shrine is a unique hidden gem.
Erected in 200 A.D and moved to its current location in 1608, the shrine is meant to guard against disasters. The first thing that makes the Kego Shrine unique is that pilgrims who purchase an ema plaque are given a secret yellow sticker. Another interesting feature of the Kego Shrine is the sacred water fountain and free foot spa at the hot spring. Finally, on the shrine’s precinct, there is another shrine called Imai Inari, which has smiling fox statues!
For more information, please refer to our article on Kego Shrine.
Tōkaebisu Shrine (十日恵比須神社)
Another very interesting shrine in Fukuoka City is the Tōkaebiu Shrine on the south side of Higashi Park. Most of the year, the shrine is pretty quiet, but during the Tōkaebisu Festival, almost one million people visit the shrine to pray for success in their business!
Apart from the 300 stalls set up around the shrine and the lucky draw, it is your chance to meet many of the Geishas in Hakata.
For more information, please refer to our Tōkaebisu Shrine.
Iimori Shrine (飯盛神社)
Iimori Shine, located south of Hakata requires a short hike to reach. The shrine was established in 859 and used to contain several smaller shrines.
Behind the main worship hall at Iimori Shine, an interesting feature is a torii gate that is red and white. Beyond the torii gate is a sacred cedar tree where two trees share the same roots that visitors come to pray for a happy marriage.
Next to the trees is a hut with a demon statue where you can throw balls at the demon as a ritual to chase away bad luck!
For more information, please refer to our Iimori Shrine.
Momiji Hachimangū Shrine (紅葉八幡宮)
Located in a residential area in the center of Fukuoka City is the Momiji Hachimangū Shrine, which has stunning maple trees with foliage peaks in late November.
If you just had a new member added to your family, visit the shrine to pick up the Kodakara Stone and Hakatame Stone for your child’s health!
For more information, please refer to our Momiji Hachimangū Shrine article.
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If you plan to visit Fukuoka in early spring, remember to check out our article on Fukuoka’s Best Cherry Blossom Destinations. There are also a couple of hidden gems!