Hakata Temple and Shrine town

Hakata Temple and Shrine town is located within walking distance of JR ]Hakata Station and there are

many Temples and Shrines where you can feel and soak up the ambience of true traditional Japanese

culture. The history of Hakata temple and shrine town started with the dispatch of Japanese cultural

and political missions to China in the 7^th century. Afterwards the area prospered as the hub of Hakata, 

which at the time was the largest port trading city in Japan. There are many valuable artefacts and

monuments here, including Tochoji temple, Kushida Shrine, Jotenji temple, Shofukuji temple as well

as Engakuji temple. It is also surprising that Hakata has little recognition for being the origin of many

culinary staples such as Udon and Soba noodles, Manju (steamed bun), Uiro (steamed cake made

of rice flour), and traditional beverages like Japanese green tea.

This important historical area is also the location of Japan’s first Zen-temple and Shingon-temple.

 

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Hakata Machiya Furusatokan

 

The folk museum depicts the life and culture of Hakata Fukuoka. It is located near the Kushida 

Shrine, Tochoji temple and Canal City Hakata. 

 

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Exhibition hall, you can find the many faces and facets of the Hakata way of life, Machiya hall,

is a superb example of traditional architecture and has been moved here and restored to

provide a glimpse into the past.

 

Souvenir hall, here you can pick up traditional craft items here as gifts and souvenirs

 

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Tochoji temple

 

The largest seated wooden image of Buddha in Japan. Tochoji temple was founded in

806 by Kobo-daishi Kukai and it is the oldest temple of the Shingon sect in Japan that 

Kobo-daishi set up.  It is also known as “Tocho-mitsuji Temple”.  It is said that Kobo-daishi, 

who returned to Hakata after undergoing ascetic training in China called Tang back then, 

prayed for the eastward dissemination and perpetuation of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism.

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Kushida Shrine

 

The Shrine of Hakata Gion Yamagasa Festival.  Located in Hakata nearby Canal City Hakata 

and was built in 757 as a guardian deity of Hakata. The most exciting summer festival in Kyushu, 

Hakata Gion Yamakasa is held in the shrine in July.  The tall Kazari Yamakasa, a luxuriously 

decorated float, is always displayed.  The float was constructed without using even a single nail.

The Oi Yamakasa, in which floats weighing over a ton race through the streets of Hakata carried

on the shoulders of 26 people, presents a dynamic spectacle of bravery and strength that attracts

many spectators.

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The shrine is also famous as place of Setsubun ceremony ( Bean throwing ceremony)

which is held on February 3^rd every year.

Marizon

Yusentei Garden

 

The time-honored Japanese garden. The Japanese traditional Garden; it was originally built

in the 1754 for Kuroda Tsugutaka who was the lord of Fukuoka clan. You can feel Japanese

traditional cultures and enjoy Tea Ceremony.

 

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JR Hakata Station

 

The major railway station in Fukuoka.  It is the largest and busiest station in Kyushu,

and is a gateway to other cities in Kyushu for travellers from Honshu.

 

Hakata-gucbi Side

Chikushi-guchi Side

Lobby of the Station

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The Station building and around station, there are a lot of shops, restaurants as well as hotels.

This area is one of the fascinating tourist destination in Fukuoka.

 

Chikushi-guch Side

Japanese Restaurant

Yodobashi Camera

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Tourist Information Center   at Hakata Station

Hakata-guchi Side

Halata-guchi Side

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Kawabata-dori Shopping Street

 

The most historical and traditional local shopping street in Hakata. The entrance of the

shopping street is located next to Kushida Shrine. Approximately 130 shops built in the

400 metre arcade.

 

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There are also souvenir shops including Hakata dolls, shops collected Hakata Gion Yamakasa

goods, restaurants included Ramen shop where the birth place of Nagahama Ramen.

 

On the weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, various events are held at the Event square.

 

 

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Nakasu

 

Hakata-za

 

Hakata-za is the theater for Kabuki plays and is located in the Hakata Riverain in Nakasu
It was originally constructed in 1996.

 

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Kabuki is one of Japanese traditional stage arts along with Nho, Kyogen and Bunraku. It is said to

have originated in Kyoto with a woman named Okuni at the beginning of the 17th century. However,

it is now performed only by male actors, so it amazing that the very first performance was by a woman.

 

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