Kushida Shrine

Kushida Shrine, affectionately known as 'Okushida-san' by Hakata locals, was founded in 757 AD during the Nara period. The shrine is dedicated to three deities and has served as the spiritual guardian of Hakata—one of Japan's oldest and most important trading ports—for over 1,260 years. The shrine's deep connection to Hakata's merchant culture made it the natural center for the city's most famous cultural event.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi reconstructed the shrine in 1587 as part of his revitalization of Hakata after the city was devastated during the Kyushu campaigns. The shrine's bond with the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, which began in 1241, has made it an inseparable part of Fukuoka's cultural identity.

The shrine grounds display a massive Yamakasa festival float (kazariyama) year-round, standing over 10 meters tall and elaborately decorated with samurai figures and dramatic scenes from Japanese history and legend. The shrine also houses an ancient anchor from a Mongol invasion ship, a tangible reminder of the 13th-century Mongol attacks on Kyushu.

The 'Reisenizui' well within the grounds is believed to bestow longevity on those who drink from it. The shrine's intimate, bustling atmosphere is enhanced by its location in the heart of old Hakata, surrounded by traditional streets and yatai (street food stalls).

The Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival (July 1-15) is the shrine's signature event and one of Japan's most exciting festivals. Teams of men in traditional loincloths race through the streets carrying multi-ton decorated floats (kakiyama) at breakneck speed. The dramatic climax, 'Oiyama,' takes place in the pre-dawn hours of July 15th, with seven teams sprinting a 5-kilometer course in a timed race that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. The festival has been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.