Kushida Shrine

Kushida Shrine stands at the spiritual heart of Hakata, serving as the neighbourhood's guardian since antiquity. Its main hall was rebuilt in the 16th century under Toyotomi Hideyoshi during his restoration of the city, lending the precinct an atmosphere of layered history. By the entrance, a sacred ginkgo tree more than a thousand years old anchors the grounds in quiet, unhurried time. The shrine is perhaps best known as the home of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a UNESCO-listed festival whose energy is kept alive all year through a towering 13-metre decorative float displayed within the precincts.

When to go

The shrine is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Visiting early in the morning lends a calm that the midday hours rarely offer. Autumn, when the ancient ginkgo turns gold, is a particularly rewarding time to linger.

“Very beautiful Shinto temple and shrine, with some incredible epic story art work that is rare to find. Super convenient to get to since it's right at the "Kushida Shrine" metro station. There is a nice bazaar next to the shrine with some hand crafts and other shops that are worth checking out as well.”— Will Elsin, Google review