Fukuoka: Local Specialties, Souvenirs, Shrines & Temples, Sightseeing | Japan 47 Prefecture Guide
Fukuoka is the large Japanese city closest to the continent. Everything that came from the mainland passed through here. Its industry and its beliefs can both be explained from that position.
Local Specialties
Karashi mentaiko is the myeongnan of the Korean peninsula, remade for Japanese taste. It was born in postwar Hakata.
Tonkotsu ramen dates from the same years. A good number of this prefecture's specialities began at postwar food stalls. The word tradition does not have to mean a thousand years. What people gathered around, competed over and kept, is also a speciality.
Amaou strawberries, Yame tea (among the top producers of gyokuro), grilled chicken, and Hakata jidori chicken.
Souvenirs
Keiran somen, local confectionery, and umegae mochi. And Hakata dolls.
Umegae mochi is grilled along the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu, named for the legend of an old woman who brought Michizane a rice cake. A case of worship and souvenir joined directly.
Sacred Sites | Shrines & Temples
Dazaifu Tenmangu is the head shrine of Japan's Tenmangu shrines (about 12,000 shrines; one of the two head shrines, with Kitano). Munakata Taisha and Hetsumiya and Nakatsumiya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 30 shrines and temples worth knowing in Fukuoka.
Dazaifu Tenmangu(Dazaifu)Shinto shrine / One of the Three Great Tenjin Shrines / Important Cultural Property / Fukuoka / Head shrine of Tenmangu shrines (about 12,000 shrines; one of the two head shrines, with Kitano) / Blessings: study and exams, warding off misfortune
Built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane. Demoted from the capital, he died two years later. Disasters followed in Kyoto, and quieting his spirit was where Tenjin belief began. He became the god of learning because he had been a scholar. A faith that started in fear became, over a thousand years, the shrine of examination candidates.
Munakata Taisha(Munakata)Shinto shrine / Ichinomiya (first shrine) of Chikuzen Province / National Treasure / UNESCO World Heritage (Cultural) / Munakata and Kasuya / Head shrine of Munakata and Itsukushima shrines (regarded as the head of about 6,200 shrines nationwide) / Blessings: safe voyages, road safety
Okinoshima is a deity in its entirety, and the public may not land there. More than 80,000 dedicated objects have been found on the island, many of them National Treasures. That it was a place for praying for safe passage to the continent survives as objects.
Hakozakigu(Fukuoka)Shinto shrine / Ichinomiya (first shrine) of Chikuzen Province / One of the Three Great Hachiman Shrines / Important Cultural Property / Fukuoka / Blessings: victory, warding off misfortune
One of the three great Hachiman shrines with Usa and Iwashimizu. The plaque on the gate reading enemy nations surrender dates from the Mongol invasions.
Kushida Jinja(Fukuoka)Shinto shrine / Fukuoka / Blessings: business prosperity, warding off misfortune, long life
The tutelary shrine of Hakata. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a rite dedicated to this shrine, and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Sumiyoshi Jinja(Fukuoka)Shinto shrine / Ichinomiya (first shrine) of Chikuzen Province / One of the Three Great Sumiyoshi Shrines / Important Cultural Property / Fukuoka / Blessings: safe voyages, warding off misfortune
One view holds it to be the first of all Sumiyoshi shrines in Japan. With Osaka and Shimonoseki it is one of the three great Sumiyoshi.
Miyajidake Jinja(Fukutsu)Shinto shrine / Munakata and Kasuya / Blessings: good fortune, business prosperity
Known for a shimenawa rope 2.6 metres across. Beyond the approach the road runs dead straight to the sea, and twice a year a path of light appears.
Nanzoin(Sasaguri)Buddhist temple / Fukuoka / Blessings: warding off misfortune, wealth
Its bronze reclining Buddha, 41 metres long, is among the largest figures of its kind in the world.
Tobiume(Dazaifu)Shinto shrine / Fukuoka / Blessings: study and exams
A plum said to have flown from the capital in a single night out of longing for Michizane. It blossoms earliest in the grounds.
Dazaifu Honden(Dazaifu)Shinto shrine / Important Cultural Property / Fukuoka / Blessings: study and exams
It stands over Michizane's grave. One of the head shrines of all Tenmangu in Japan.
Komyozenji(Dazaifu)Buddhist temple / Fukuoka / Blessings: study and exams
The Bukko stone garden and the Itteki-kai garden. The only Zen garden in Dazaifu.
Kanzeonji(Dazaifu)Buddhist temple / National Treasure / Fukuoka / Blessings: warding off misfortune
Its temple bell, the oldest in Japan, is a National Treasure. It was the centre of Buddhism in Kyushu.
Kaidanin(Dazaifu)Buddhist temple / Important Cultural Property / Fukuoka / Blessings: rebirth and renewal
One of the three ordination platforms of Japan. Monks of western Japan took their vows here.
Kamado Jinja(Dazaifu)Shinto shrine / Fukuoka / Blessings: love and relationships
At the foot of Mount Homan. As a shrine of matchmaking, young worshippers come without pause.
Shofukuji(Fukuoka)Buddhist temple / Historic Site / Fukuoka / Blessings: study and exams
The first Zen temple in Japan, founded by Eisai. He also brought tea seeds to the country.
Tochoji(Fukuoka)Buddhist temple / Important Cultural Property / Fukuoka / Blessings: warding off misfortune
Held to be the first temple Kukai built in Japan. It has the Fukuoka Great Buddha, a seated wooden figure.
Hojoya(Fukuoka)Shinto shrine / Fukuoka / Blessings: warding off misfortune
A rite of compassion for living creatures. One of the three great festivals of Hakata, with stalls lining the approach.
Hetsumiya(Munakata)Shinto shrine / UNESCO World Heritage (Cultural) / Munakata and Kasuya / Blessings: road safety
The mainland shrine of the three. Its treasure hall holds some 80,000 National Treasure objects excavated from the island.
Nakatsumiya(Munakata)Shinto shrine / UNESCO World Heritage (Cultural) / Munakata and Kasuya / Blessings: safe voyages
It stands on Oshima, and is held to be the birthplace of the Tanabata legend.
Okinoshima(Munakata)Utaki (Ryukyuan sacred grove) / UNESCO World Heritage (Cultural) / Munakata and Kasuya / Blessings: safe voyages
The whole island is the deity. Women may not go, and those who land may not speak of what they saw or heard.
Kora Taisha(Kurume)Shinto shrine / Ichinomiya (first shrine) of Chikugo Province / Important Cultural Property / Chikugo / Blessings: warding off misfortune, long life
First shrine of Chikugo Province. One of the largest shrine buildings in Kyushu stands on the hillside.
Suitengu(Kurume)Shinto shrine / Head shrine of the Suitengu network / Chikugo / Head shrine of Suitengu shrines (about 2,000 shrines nationwide) / Blessings: safe childbirth, safe voyages
The head shrine of all Suitengu in Japan. A faith for safe childbirth and protection from drowning.
Mihashira Jinja(Yanagawa)Shinto shrine / Chikugo / Blessings: victory
It enshrines Tachibana Muneshige. A town of canals, toured by boat.
Fukushima Hachimangu(Yame)Shinto shrine / Chikugo / Blessings: warding off misfortune
The Yame-Fukushima lantern puppets are dedicated here. An Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Yasaka Jinja (Kokura)(Kitakyushu)Shinto shrine / Kitakyushu / Blessings: warding off misfortune
The shrine of the Kokura Gion drums. Drums struck on both heads are carried through the town.
Mekari Jinja(Kitakyushu)Shinto shrine / Kitakyushu / Blessings: safe voyages
Before dawn on the first day of the lunar year, priests wade into the sea to cut wakame. It stands on the shore of the Kanmon Strait.
Komyozenji(Dazaifu)Buddhist temple / Fukuoka / Blessings: study and exams
The Bukko stone garden draws the character for light in white sand and stone. The only Zen temple in Dazaifu.
Kaidanin(Dazaifu)Buddhist temple / Important Cultural Property / Fukuoka / Blessings: rebirth and renewal
One of the three ordination platforms of Japan, with Nara and Shimotsuke. Monks of the west became monks here.
Nogakuden(Fukuoka)Shinto shrine / Fukuoka / Blessings: the performing arts
It has a Noh stage. One view holds Sumiyoshi Jinja here to be the first of all Sumiyoshi shrines.
Kego Jinja(Fukuoka)Shinto shrine / Fukuoka / Blessings: warding off misfortune
It sits surrounded by the office blocks of Tenjin. Unusually, its grounds include a foot bath.
Torikai Hachimangu(Fukuoka)Shinto shrine / Fukuoka / Blessings: love and relationships, safe childbirth
Said to be tied to Empress Jingu. Its halls were rebuilt in 2023.
Sightseeing
Breakdown: castle 2, historic townscape 4, nature / scenery 3, industrial heritage 3. 14 places to see in Fukuoka.
Dazaifu Seicho(Dazaifu)castle / Fukuoka / Special Historic Site / Historic Site / 7th century
The administrative base of Kyushu, called the distant court. Only the foundation stones remain.
Nokonoshima(Fukuoka)nature / scenery / Fukuoka
An island afloat in Hakata Bay, sung of in the Manyoshu.
Kawaradake(Tagawa)nature / scenery / Kitakyushu
Limestone quarrying changed the shape of the mountain. It stands next to the Chikuho coalfield.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa(Fukuoka)festival / event / Fukuoka / Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property / UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage / 1241 (traditional date)
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Before dawn on 15 July, the floats race through Hakata in the Oiyama.
Hakata Yatai(Fukuoka)historic townscape / Fukuoka
Four in ten of all the food stalls in Japan are in Fukuoka. They line Nakasu and Tenjin.
Umegae Mochi(Dazaifu)historic townscape / Fukuoka
From the legend of an old woman who brought Michizane a rice cake. They are sold fresh off the griddle.
Kawachi Fuji Garden(Kitakyushu)garden / park / Kitakyushu / 1977
A wisteria tunnel 110 metres long. Overseas photography sites made it famous overnight.
Mojiko Retro(Kitakyushu)historic townscape / Kitakyushu / Important Cultural Property
A Taisho-era station building and customs house. It faces Shimonoseki across the Kanmon Strait.
Yanagawa Boat Ride(Yanagawa)historic townscape / Chikugo
You tour the canals by donko boat. The birthplace of Kitahara Hakushu.
Yame Tea(Yame)industrial heritage / Chikugo
First in Japan for gyokuro. The traditional hon-gyokuro of Hoshino village.
Itoshima(Itoshima)nature / scenery / Fukuoka
The wedded rocks and sunsets at Sakurai Futamigaura. Studios and cafes are scattered along the coast.
Tagawa Coal Museum(Tagawa)industrial heritage / Kitakyushu / UNESCO Memory of the World
Yamamoto Sakubei's paintings of the coal pits are on the UNESCO Memory of the World register.
Hakata Ori(Fukuoka)industrial heritage / Fukuoka
Obi sashes in the kenjo pattern. The dolls are unglazed clay, painted after firing.
Kokura-jo(Kitakyushu)castle / Kitakyushu / 1602
Built by Hosokawa Tadaoki. Its keep is in the karazukuri style, with the upper storey larger than the one below.
Traditional Crafts
Seven crafts hold national designation: Kurume kasuri, Hakata weaving, Agano ware, Yame lanterns, Yame-Fukushima Buddhist altars, Okawa kumiko joinery, and Hakata dolls.
Hakata weaving is said to begin with a technique a Hakata merchant learned in Song China in the thirteenth century. Many warp threads give the obi its firmness. Being close to the continent is, as it stands, the origin of the craft. Kurume kasuri is one of the three great kasuri of Japan.
More: VILLAGE Journal vol.2 — A weaving technique that crossed the sea
More from This Prefecture
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Sources: Fukuoka Prefecture, City of Fukuoka, City of Dazaifu, City of Munakata, City of Kurume, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries — Value Village editorial team