Written by Jane Pipkin
Kushida Shrine, fondly known as “Okushida-san”, is the oldest Shinto shrine in the city. People worship it as a place to pray for longevity and business success.
The gods Ohatansuhi-no-mikoto, Amaterasu-omikamki, and Susanowo-no-mikoto are enshrined at the shrine. Toyotomi Hideyoshi restored its current main building in the 16th century.
The shrine is also central to one of Fukuoka’s most famous festivals, the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. Every summer, seven neighborhoods from Fukuoka’s Hakata district participate in a lively parade, racing to push decorated yamakasa (floats) through the streets. One of these impressive 13-meter-high floats is on display year-round near the main shrine.
A sacred 1,000-year-old Ginkgo tree stands on the shrine’s grounds. The tree, featured in the Hakata Iwai Uta (Hakata celebration song), is celebrated for its age and is designated as a cultural property of Fukuoka.
Why not learn more about shrine as part of this guided tour of Hakata’s downtown area?
How to get there
Kushida Shrine is approximately a 5 minute walk from the subway stations Nakasaukawabata and Gion. It only takes a few minutes to get to either stop from Hakata Station, costing ¥210. You can also walk from Canal City Hakata, which takes 4 minutes.
- 415 m from Gion Station Kūkō Line (K10)
- 427 m from Nakasu-Kawabata Station Kūkō Line (K9)
- 0.6 km from Gofukumachi Station Hakozaki Line (H2)
