Religious site
Kushida Shrine
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Kushida Shrine (Kushida-jinja) is the most important and beloved Shinto shrine in the Hakata district of Fukuoka, a spiritual heart of the city, affectionately known to locals as 'O-Kushida-san.' Founded over a thousand years ago and dedicated to deities of prosperity and longevity, it's an atmospheric complex of traditional buildings, a sacred ginkgo tree, and a torii-marked entrance. Above all, it is the spiritual home of Fukuoka's spectacular Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, held each July, and the shrine permanently displays one of the festival's towering, ornately decorated 'kazariyama' floats, a dazzling, many-metres-tall structure that's a sight in itself any time of year.
It's an easy, rewarding stop in central Fukuoka, free to enter, steeped in local tradition, and close to the Canal City shopping complex and Hakata's old streets. See the giant festival float, admire the traditional architecture, and soak up the atmosphere of the city's most cherished shrine.
Don't miss
- A permanently displayed giant 'kazariyama' festival float
- Over a thousand years of history
- Traditional Shinto architecture and a sacred ginkgo
- Its role in the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival
- A central, free, atmospheric stop in Fukuoka
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Kushida Shrine
You don't need a tour to visit, entry is free. A tour is worth it if you want transport, a guide, or to combine Kushida Shrine with nearby sights in one day. That's what these do well.
Cheapest way inKyushu: Aso Vocano, Grassland,Onsen and Aso shrine 1-Day Tour4.6★ · 27 travelers~10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$55 per personSee dates →
Best full dayPrivate Fukuoka Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems 100% Personalised4.9★ · 164 travelers2-8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$64 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleFukuoka Group/Private Tour by Local Professionals!5★ · 24 travelers3-6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$60 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Know before you go
- See the towering decorated festival float on permanent display.
- Entry is free, it's the spiritual heart of Hakata.
- Visit in July for the spectacular Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
- It's near Canal City and Hakata's old streets, easy to combine.
A bit of history
Kushida Shrine traces its origins to the 8th century and has long been the guardian shrine of the Hakata merchant district. It is the focal point of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, a UNESCO-recognised tradition dating back centuries, in which teams race elaborate floats through the streets.
Common questions
What is Kushida Shrine?
The most cherished Shinto shrine in Fukuoka's Hakata district, over a thousand years old, dedicated to prosperity and longevity, and the spiritual home of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
What's the giant float?
A 'kazariyama', a towering, ornately decorated festival float, one of which is displayed at the shrine year-round, even outside the July festival.
Is it free?
Yes, entry to the shrine grounds is free; a small shrine museum may charge.
What's nearby?
The Canal City shopping complex and Hakata's historic streets are close by.
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