Affectionately known as okushida-san, Kushida Shrine is known and loved by Fukuoka locals as the guardian shrine of Hakata, and is also the home of the deity of longevity and prosperity in business.

The shrine is located in the downtown area of Fukuoka City’s Hakata Ward, about a 5- to 10-minute subway or bus ride from Hakata Station.Here, visitors can not only worship and pray, but also enjoy traditional Japanese festivals and events. At the shrine entrance stands the Kushida Ginkgo Tree, mentioned in the local celebratory song Hakata Iwai Uta and designated a natural treasure of Fukuoka Prefecture. Believed to be over 1000 years old, this sacred tree has long been revered as a symbol of health and longevity. The tree’s leaves take on a magnificent golden color in autumn. Next to the main hall you will find the Sacred Crane Well, revered as a symbol of longevity. The underground spring water which flows from this well is said to grant eternal youth. When you visit the shrine for the first time in the new year, be sure to take a look at the etoehoban, a disc depicting the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac found on the ceiling of the tower gate. It is rotated every year on New Year’s Eve to indicate which directions will bring good fortune in the new year.。

In February, when Japan celebrates its early springtime Setsubun Festival, the largest otafuku mask in all of Japan is placed on the tower gate to bring good fortune and a bean-throwing ceremony is held, attracting many visitors.

Held in July is the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a festival renowned throughout Japan. With more than 700 years of history, this festival features a powerful scene where men dressed in traditional costumes run at full speed while carrying massive floats. The festival has been registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Hakata Gion Yamakasa is held from July 1st through July 15th every year. During the festival period, over 10 meters of gorgeous decorated Yamakasa floats line the streets at more than 10 locations throughout the city, attracting many spectators from both Fukuoka Prefecture and beyond.Starting July 10th, the second and more active half of the festival begins. In this part of the festival, groups of men dash fiercely throughout the city carrying massive one-ton floats. And then, early in the morning of July 15th at precisely 4:59am, the grand finale, the Oiyama, begins. In this main event, seven teams carrying massive floats race for five kilometers through the streets of Hakata at the crack of dawn toward the finish line. The climax of the festival is when the floats enter Kushida Shrine in preparation for the Oiyama event on July 15th.Many people gather along the side of the road at the start of the event to catch a glimpse of the festival’s grand finale. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival is dedicated to Kushida Shrine, and the decorative floats are on display at the shrine all year round, except in June.These elaborately decorated floats are designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and are rebuilt every year on July 1st.

Held in late October is the Hakata Okunchi festival.This typical Hakata autumn festival features a procession of ox-drawn carriages pulling portable shrines, brass band performances, as well as a children’s parade. Be sure to also enjoy a stroll around the old town Hakata neighborhood when you visit Kushida Shrine.

Kushida Shrine
Location: 1-41 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 812-0026
Telephone number: 092-291-2951
Opening hours：4:00-22:00 (Shrine office: 9:00-17:00)
No holidays

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Official Website　　https://www.hakatayamakasa.com/61866.html

Cover photograph provided by Fukuoka City.