Shōfuku-ji

Fukuoka


Shōfuku-ji is considered the oldest Zen temple in Japan, founded in 1195 by Eisai, who introduced Zen and tea to Japan; the nation's first tea plants are also said to have been planted here. Although its buildings are closed to the public, tree-lined stone paths make a nice ramble.


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Nearby Fukuoka attractions

1. Tōchō-ji

0.15 MILES

Tōchō-ji houses the Fukuoka Daibutsu, Japan's largest seated wooden Buddha (10.8m high, 30 tonnes, completed in 1992) and some impressively carved Kannon …

2. Hakata Machiya Furusato-kan

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Spread over three machiya (traditional Japanese townhouses), this folk museum re-creates a Hakata nagare (neighbourhood unit) from the late Meiji era…

4. Hakata Local History Museum

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On the grounds of the Kushida-jinja shrine, this old-school museum has many displays about the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Matsuri, as well as swords, ancient…

5. Kushida-jinja

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The intimate Kushida-jinja, municipal Shintō shrine of Hakata, traces its history to AD 757 and sponsors the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Matsuri, in which…

6. Fukuoka Asian Art Museum

0.5 MILES

On the upper floors of the Hakata Riverain mall, this large museum houses the world-renowned Asia Gallery, and additional galleries for special…

7. Kihinkan

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Built in 1910, this historic French Renaissance–style building, a nationally registered important cultural property, can be found just across the river…

8. Rakusuien

0.73 MILES

This small but pretty garden and teahouse was built by a Meiji-era merchant in 1906 and offers a couple of paths, a rushing waterfall and tea ceremony. In…