About Kushida Shrine
Kushida Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, founded in 757 AD (Tenpyo 29). Affectionately known as “Okushida-san” by locals, it has watched over the city of Hakata for over 1200 years as the guardian shrine of Hakata.
The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, held every July, is the largest festival in Fukuoka City and is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Kushida Shrine is the central stage of this festival, and the highlight of the “Oiyama-kasa” (the final race of the festival) on the morning of July 15th is the “Kushida-iri,” where the floats of each district rush into the shrine grounds.
Deities and Blessings
Main Deities
Kushida Shrine enshrines three deities.
- Ōhatanushi-no-Mikoto: Enshrined in the main hall, granting blessings of business prosperity and longevity.
- Amaterasu-Ōmikami: Enshrined in the left hall, granting blessings of national peace and good fortune.
- Susanoo-no-Mikoto: Enshrined in the right hall, granting blessings of protection from evil and matchmaking.
Main Blessings
- Business Prosperity: A long-standing guardian deity of Hakata merchants.
- Longevity: It is believed that drinking the water from the “Reizen Tsuru no Ido” (Sacred Spring Crane Well) on the shrine grounds will grant longevity.
- Matchmaking: There is a sacred ginkgo tree, hundreds of years old, known as the “Matchmaking Ginkgo.”
- Protection from Evil: Inheriting the tradition of warding off disease from the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
Points to Note When Visiting
Decorative Yamakasa Floats (Permanent Exhibition)
Throughout the year, the temple grounds display magnificent decorative Yamakasa floats. These floats, approximately 10 meters tall, feature different themes on their front (front) and back (back) sides, allowing visitors to admire the finest examples of Hakata’s traditional craftsmanship up close. The temple is especially crowded with visitors during the Yamakasa festival in July.
Reizen Tsuru no Ido (Crane’s Well)
Located to the left and rear of the main hall, the Reizen Tsuru no Ido is a spring believed to grant longevity. A ladle is provided, and visitors are free to drink the water. The pure water, gushing from Hakata’s underground water veins, has long been said to grant long life to those who drink it.
Chikaraishi (Strength Stones)
Several “Chikaraishi” (strength stones), lifted by strong young men during the Edo and Meiji periods, are preserved on the temple grounds. The largest one weighs approximately 90 kan (about 337.5 kg), and it is a valuable cultural asset that conveys the vibrancy of Hakata at that time.
Married Ginkgo Trees
To the right of the main shrine stands a pair of sacred ginkgo trees, a male and female tree said to be several hundred years old. Known as the “Ginkgo of Matchmaking,” it attracts couples and worshippers praying for good fortune in love. In autumn, its leaves turn a beautiful yellow, coloring the shrine grounds.
Main Annual Events
Hakata Gion Yamakasa (July 1st-15th)
Hakata’s largest festival with a history of over 770 years. At 4:59 AM on July 15th, the festival reaches its climax as the first Yamakasa float enters the shrine grounds in the “Kushida-iri” procession. The time for the “Kushida-iri” is measured within the shrine grounds, and each group aims to break the record.
Setsubun Grand Festival (February 3rd)
The Setsubun Festival is counted as one of Hakata’s three major festivals. The bean-throwing ceremony held at the Noh theater attracts many worshippers every year.
Hakata Okunchi (October 23rd & 24th)
A grand autumn festival celebrating a bountiful harvest. Traditional performing arts such as Hakata Matsubayashi and lion dances are offered, adding color to the autumn in Hakata.
Access Information
Access by Train
- Fukuoka City Subway: 5-minute walk from Gion Station (1 stop from Hakata Station)
- Fukuoka City Subway: 7-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station
- 15-minute walk from JR Hakata Station
Access by Bus
- 2-minute walk from Nishitetsu Bus “Canal City Hakata-mae” stop
- 3-minute walk from Nishitetsu Bus “Kawabata-machi/Hakataza-mae” stop
Access by Car
- Approximately 5 minutes from Fukuoka Urban Expressway “Gofukumachi Ramp”
- No dedicated parking (use nearby coin parking)
Visiting Hours and Admission Fee
- Visiting Hours: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Open all year round)
- Admission Fee: Free
- Goshuin (temple stamp) Reception: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Around Kushida Shrine, there are numerous spots where you can experience the history and culture of Hakata.
- Canal City Hakata: 2-minute walk, large commercial complex
- Hakata Machiya Furusato-kan: 5-minute walk, recreates life in Hakata during the Meiji and Taisho periods
- Kawabata-dori Shopping Street: 1-minute walk, Hakata’s oldest shopping street
- Hakataza: 3-minute walk, theater dedicated to theatrical performances
Etiquette for Visiting the Shrine
When visiting Kushida Shrine, please observe the following basic etiquette.
- Bow before passing through the torii gate: A courtesy before entering the sacred area.
- Purify yourself at the water basin: Purify in the following order: left hand → right hand → mouth → handle of the ladle in your left hand.
- Bow twice, clap twice, and bow once when praying: Basic etiquette before a shrine.
- Photography of the decorated Yamakasa floats is permitted: However, please be considerate of other worshippers.
Kushida Shrine, a place of history and culture in Hakata, continues to be loved by the local people. Why not experience the excitement of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in the shrine grounds and touch upon Hakata’s thousand-year history?
