Japan 2019: Kushida Shrine and Tocho-ji Temple, Hakata, Fukuoka
First Time in Japan: Northern Kyushu Itinerary, Expenses and Travel Tips (From Hakata in Fukuoka)
These two well-known historical places on this post were just walking distance from our hotel in Hakata. If you tour around Fukuoka on a budget, then these places are definitely one of those that you'd get to see. No entrance fee and since it's just walking distance from Hakata Station - no transportation fee either.
Kushida Shrine
There was a tour guide touring foreigners around when we went there and so we just stayed a bit close to the group so we could also hear what she was saying. lol.
The home of the protective God of Hakata built in the year 757.
This is a fortune paper that you can get in Kushida Shrine. Unlike the one in Dazaifu, they have English ones here so we gladly paid for it. I considered mine lucky so I still have it placed in my wallet until now.
At my back is called - Kazari Yamakaza or a large stationary festival float. This is made to pray for peace and wish for protection.
I wasn't sure which one was the gingko tree but it was said that there's a 1,000 gingko tree inside the temple grounds.
Tocho-ji Temple
Established in the year 806 and is the home to the largest wooden seated Buddha in all of Japan. We weren't able to see it though. The one thing that made our Japan tour difficult is, of course, the language gap. We were anxious for a lot of times while thinking if we were doing things right. lol. :)))
5 storey Pagoda of the temple. This was built in 2011 to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the temple.
We only saw a few buds that day but if you're visiting on a peak time then you shouldn't miss Cherry Blossoms viewing at this temple as well because of the huge tree in the center. I can only imagine how grand it looks like when the sakura flowers are in full bloom.
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