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Thursday, September 25, 2025

Exploring Hakata: What to See at Tochoji Temple

Gojunoto (五重塔) at Tochoji Temple (東長寺)

During our trip to Hakata last year, my husband and I stayed at the ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka—our familiar home base for those who've followed my past adventures. With several shrines and temples tucked within walking distance of JR Hakata Station, I made sure to carve out time for a few spiritual stops along the way:

Sumiyoshi Shrine (住吉神社): Just an 8-minute walk from JR Hakata Station
Railway Shrine (鉄道神社): Quietly nestled atop JR Hakata Station
Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社): About a 20-minute walk from JR Hakata Station or a brisk 8 minutes from Gion Subway Station
Tochoji Temple (東長寺): Only a 12-minute stroll from JR Hakata Station or 8 minutes on foot from Kushida Shrine

This time, we ventured to Tochoji Temple (東長寺), a centuries-old Buddhist sanctuary in the heart of Hakata. After exploring Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社)—which I featured in my previous post—we continued our walk, arriving at Tochoji in just under 10 minutes.

Tochoji Temple (東長寺)

Tochoji Temple (東長寺)
2-4 Gokushomachi
Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-city
Fukuoka, Japan

Tochoji Temple (東長寺)

Tochoji Temple (東長寺) was founded in 806 by the revered monk Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi, following his return from Buddhist studies in Tang China. It holds the distinction of being the oldest Shingon sect temple in Japan, and stands as a spiritual cornerstone in Hakata’s rich cultural landscape.

Honden of Tochoji Temple (東長寺)

Even with a few tourists around, Tochoji Temple felt calm and peaceful. It was so quiet, we just stopped for a moment and took it all in.

Honden of Tochoji Temple (東長寺)

The honden (本殿), or main hall of Tochoji Temple (東長寺), was impressively spacious. From where we stood, we could see the big tatami space and the peaceful figures inside: the Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva, Fudo Myo-o (the Immovable Wisdom King), and Kobo Daishi himself. Each statue felt deeply rooted in presence, adding to the temple’s quiet power.

Honden of Tochoji Temple (東長寺)

Daikokuten (大黒天) at Tochoji

Inside the main hall, we spotted Daikokuten (大黒天)—one of Japan’s beloved Seven Gods of Good Fortune. With his cheerful smile, he’s known for bringing luck, wealth, and warm relationships. In Japan, people adore him for adding a little happiness and good fortune to everyday life.

Gojunoto (五重塔)

Right next to the main hall, there’s a bright red five-story pagoda called Gojunoto (五重塔). It was built in 2011 to celebrate 1,200 years since Tochoji Temple was founded. Inside, it holds Buddhist relics that Kukai brought back from Tang Dynasty China. The tall pagoda really stood out and gave the temple grounds a splash of color and grace.

Gojunoto (五重塔)

We looked up and couldn’t help but admire the craftsmanship in every beam and tile.

Our visit to Tochoji Temple was peaceful and full of quiet moments that stayed with us. Between the thoughtful details and rich history, it was one of those places that invites you to slow down and just take it all in.

I didn’t mention it earlier, but there are a couple more things worth seeing at Tochoji Temple. One is the Fukuoka Daibutsu (福岡大仏)—Japan’s largest wooden seated Buddha, standing at 10.8 meters tall. The other is Rokkakudo (六角堂), a unique hexagonal hall that’s been designated a Cultural Property of Fukuoka City. If you find yourself in Hakata, make time to visit Tochoji Temple—it’s a quiet yet powerful spot that offers a deeper glimpse into the city’s spiritual and cultural heart.

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Thursday, September 18, 2025

Visiting Kushida Shrine: Hakata’s Home of Yamakasa

Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社)

During our trip to Hakata last year, my husband and I stayed at the ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka—a familiar base for those who've followed my previous adventures. With several shrines nestled within walking distance of JR Hakata Station, I made sure our itinerary included a few spiritual stops.

Sumiyoshi Shrine (住吉神社): Just an 8-minute walk from JR Hakata Station
Railway Shrine (鉄道神社): Quietly perched on the rooftop of JR Hakata Station
Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社): Around a 20-minute walk from JR Hakata Station or a brisk 8 minutes from Gion Subway Station

This time, we set our sights on Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社)—a cultural gem with roots deep in Hakata’s identity. It’s just a 7-minute walk from Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多), making it easy to pair a spiritual pause with retail wandering. We took a scenic 14-minute walk from ACROS Fukuoka, passing city rhythms that slowly gave way to something quieter, more sacred.

Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社)
1-41 Kamikawabatamachi
Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City
Fukuoka, Japan

Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社)

Founded in 757 CE, Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社) stands as one of Fukuoka’s oldest and most beloved shrines. Revered as the guardian of Hakata, it’s not just a spiritual landmark—it’s the beating heart of one of Japan’s most dynamic summer traditions: the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival (博多祇園山笠).

Yamakasa Festival Float (飾り山笠)

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival (博多祇園山笠) is a Japanese festival celebrated from the 1st until the 15th of July in Hakata, Fukuoka. The festivities are centered on the Kushida Shrine. Decorative Yamakasa floats are themed around Hakata's samurai, old Japanese stories, and even anime. They’re rebuilt every year on July 1st, and you can see them at the shrine all year. Take a moment to enjoy how big and detailed they are—it’s really impressive.

Yamakasa Festival Float (飾り山笠)

Ema (絵馬)

At Kushida Shrine, I came across a vibrant display of ema (絵馬)—wooden prayer plaques adorned with wishes, drawings, and a glimpse of heartfelt hopes.

Matsusha (末社)

Komainu (狛犬)

I saw this komainu (狛犬) statue at Kushida Shrine. It looks strong and protects the shrine.

Komainu (狛犬)

Shimekakeinari Shrine (注連懸稲荷神社)

Inari shrines are dedicated to Inari Ōkami, a Shinto deity linked to rice, agriculture, prosperity, and household well-being. With over 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan, they’re the most common type of shrine in the country. At Shimekakeinari Shrine (注連懸稲荷神社), rows of red torii gates stretch ahead, making the path feel calm and special.

Stone Fox Statue at Inari Shrine

Foxes are messengers of the god Inari. That’s why you’ll often see stone fox statues at these shrines. People dress them in red cloth to keep away bad spirits. Some foxes even hold keys or scrolls—they’re seen as smart and magical.

Stone Fox Statue at Inari Shrine

Honden (本殿)

The honden (main hall, 本殿), worship hall (拝殿), of Kushida Shrine was rebuilt in 1863 (Bunkyū 3) and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. At the honden, I spotted a shimenawa (注連縄)—a thick, twisted rope that marks sacred space in Shinto tradition. It’s used to show the boundary between the divine and the everyday, and it helps keep away bad energy. You’ll often see these ropes hanging at shrine entrances, on sacred trees, or around important buildings like the honden. Seeing one up close really highlights the quiet strength and purity that defines the atmosphere of Kushida Shrine.

Goshin-gyū (御神牛)

This bronze cow statue is said to bring good luck with money when you touch it. It’s also known as a Goshin-gyū, or sacred cow.

Romon (楼門)

Kushida Shrine’s main gate (Romon) was rebuilt back in 1859 and is now recognized as an Important Cultural Property in Japan.

The Zodiac Compass, Eto Eho-ban (干支恵方盤) at Main Gate (Romon)

At Kushida Shrine, there’s a special zodiac wheel hidden in the gate’s ceiling. It quietly points to this year’s lucky direction—worth glancing up before you step through.

If you're visiting Hakata, definitely swing by Kushida Shrine. It's full of history, beautiful details, and a vibe you won't forget.

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Thursday, September 11, 2025

809 Steps Above the City: ACROS Hakata’s Step Garden

Acros Fukuoka (アクロス福岡)

In a post I shared earlier, I mentioned that my husband and I took a trip to Hakata in Fukuoka last year. One of the places I was especially excited to visit was the Step Garden (ステップガーデン) of Acros Fukuoka (アクロス福岡)—a breathtaking 14-tiered green roof where layers of trees, shrubs, and trickling water create a mountain-like landscape that rises from the heart of the city.

When I discovered that the garden features 809 steps leading to the top, I knew I had to climb them. It immediately reminded me of my biweekly workouts at Hillcrest Park in California, where countless stairs make each session a fun challenge. So I figured—why not turn this visit into a sightseeing workout? Climbing the Step Garden sounded like my kind of fun!

Acros Fukuoka
1-1-1 Tenjin
Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City
Fukuoka, Japan

Before heading to Acros Fukuoka, we stopped by Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多) for lunch. We chose Hakata Tempura Takao (博多天ぷらたかお), a popular spot known for its crispy tempura and flavorful dipping sauces. The meal hit the spot and gave us just the right boost before setting off on foot to the Step Garden. It took us about 17 minutes to walk from Canal City Hakata to Acros Fukuoka—a leisurely stroll through the heart of Fukuoka that added a nice prelude to the climb ahead.

Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多)

Hakata Tempura Takao (博多天ぷらたかお)

Naka River

We walked along the Naka River toward Acros Fukuoka. The gentle water and afternoon breeze made the short stroll surprisingly refreshing.

My Walking Summary

Acros Fukuoka (アクロス福岡)

Acros Fukuoka (アクロス福岡)

From the Naka River, Acros Fukuoka looked like a giant triangle rising out of the city.

Acros Fukuoka (アクロス福岡)

But once we reached Tenjin Central Park, I understood why it’s nicknamed “Mountain Acros”—its stepped facade was covered in trees, like a forest climbing up the building.

Acros Fukuoka (アクロス福岡)

The Step Garden (ステップガーデン) is open daily—9:00 am to 6:00 pm from March to October, and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from November to February. It’s worth checking the hours before you go.