Kushida Shrine Overview
Kushida Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. Known affectionately by locals as “Okushida-san,” it is the oldest shrine in the city and serves as the guardian shrine of Hakata. Fukuoka The shrine was founded in 757, when Hakata was the point of arrival and departure for trade and diplomatic missions between Japan, China and Korea.
The shrine is dedicated to the gods Ohatanushi-no-mikoto, Amaterasu-omikami and Susanoo-no-mikoto. According to tradition, the shrine was built on the emperor’s order to share a god with Kushida Shrine of Ise province (present-day Mie prefecture). In 1585, during the Hakata restoration, Toyotomi Hideyoshi contributed to rebuilding the current main hall. Worshippers have long come to the shrine to pray for longevity and business prosperity. Among the highlights on the grounds is the Kushida Ginkgo Tree, mentioned in the local celebratory song Hakata Iwai Uta and designated a natural treasure of Fukuoka Prefecture. Believed to be over 1,000 years old, the sacred tree has long been revered as a symbol of health and longevity, its leaves turning a magnificent golden color in autumn.
Hakata’s signature summer festival, Hakata Gion Yamakasa, is dedicated to Kushida Shrine. Decorative yamakasa — large ornamental floats — are on display all year round, except in June.
Best Times To Visit Kushida Shrine
Kawazu-zakura cherry trees can be found on the shrine grounds, blossoming from around the end of February — earlier than most other cherry trees. This makes it a lovely spot for early spring visits. July is the most dynamic month to visit. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, celebrated every July, is one of Fukuoka’s most famous events, known for its elaborate yamakasa floats paraded through the streets in a display of strength, speed and community spirit.
Autumn is another excellent time to visit. In late October, the Hakata Okunchi festival is held as Kushida Shrine’s annual autumn festival, featuring a spectacular procession that includes a portable shrine pulled by an ox cart, a brass band and a children’s parade. The ginkgo tree’s golden foliage also makes the grounds particularly scenic.