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The Hakata Gion Yamakasa is Hakata’s most celebrated summer festival. The shrine where this passionate festival is dedicated stands in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City.
Known affectionately as “Okushida-san” by locals, Kushida Shrine has served as the guardian shrine of Hakata for over 1,300 years. Its grounds feature prefecture-designated natural monuments like the Meoto Ginkgo trees, as well as impressive festival floats displayed year-round.
This article introduces the highlights and charms of Kushida Shrine.
Kushida Shrine is located in Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. As the guardian shrine of Hakata, it has been revered since ancient times and is affectionately called “Okushida-san” by local residents.
Founded in 757 during the Tenpyo Hoji era, the shrine has a history spanning over 1,300 years. It is also famous as the shrine where the Hakata Gion Yamakasa is dedicated. Held annually from July 1st to 15th, the Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a quintessential summer tradition of Hakata.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visiting Hours | 24 hours (Shrine office: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | About 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Closed | Open year - round |
| Phone | 092-291-2951 |
| Parking | Visitor parking available (free for up to 30 minutes) |
| Access | 2 - minute walk from Kushida Shrine - mae Station on the Nanakuma Subway Line |
| Address | 1 - 41 Kamikawabata - machi, Hakata - ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka 812 - 0026 |
Kushida Shrine enshrines three principal deities: Ohatanushi no Okami, Amaterasu Omikami, and Susanoo no Okami.
Ohatanushi no Okami (also known as Kushida Okami) is enshrined in the main hall and serves as the primary deity. Amaterasu Omikami (Daijingu) is enshrined in the left hall, while Susanoo no Okami (Gion Okami) is enshrined in the right hall.
Ohatanushi no Okami is said to have been enshrined here in 757, while Susanoo no Okami was invited from Yamashiro Gion Shrine in 941.
Ohatanushi no Okami, the principal deity of Kushida Shrine, is said to be the 19th-generation descendant of Amenominakanushi no Kami and is known as the deity who defeated monsters in the Hokuriku region.
The romon gate of Kushida Shrine was rebuilt in the late Edo period.
The gate features a two-story wooden structure with a gabled roof covered in copper plates. Its vermilion-painted thick pillars are adorned with intricate carvings.
Above the gate hangs the “Iryo” plaque. Iryo is a term that refers to the imperial majesty of the Emperor.
The ceiling of the gate displays a “Zodiac Eho Compass” which is rotated every New Year’s Eve to indicate the auspicious direction for the coming year. Be sure to look up when you visit for hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year).
The grounds of Kushida Shrine are neither too large nor too small, offering a peaceful atmosphere for a leisurely visit.
The temizuya (water purification pavilion) has a historic appearance.
This bronze bull statue is said to bring good fortune when rubbed. It is also called the Goshingyu (sacred bull).
This is the magnificent Shinme (sacred horse) statue.
The sacred horse is known as a revered companion of the gods when they descend to earth. Since ancient times, horses have been considered “vehicles of the gods,” and it was believed that deities would appear riding horses when coming to grant people’s wishes. For this reason, there was a tradition of offering horses to the gods during prayers.
The horse bears the Mimori Kikko ni Gosan-no-kiri (triple turtle shell with five-three paulownia) crest on its body.
Beyond this gate lies the worship hall.
The worship hall of Kushida Shrine was originally built and donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587 and was later rebuilt in the late Edo period.
The wooden worship hall features a gabled roof with copper plate roofing. Its thick pillars are adorned with carvings.
The wooden sculptures of the wind and thunder gods on either side of the gables appear to be chasing each other, creating a uniquely playful scene rarely seen elsewhere.
In front of the worship hall is the “Reisen Tsuru no Ido” (Sacred Crane Well), a spring believed to grant longevity.
The well water is clear and transparent, rich in minerals, and is said to be beneficial for health. However, it has a bitter and salty taste similar to seawater.
Reisen Tsuru no Ido has been revered by many people since ancient times. During the Edo period, it was said among the common people of Hakata that “drinking the water from Tsuru no Ido will grant you a long life,” drawing many visitors.
Kushida Shrine displays Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival floats throughout the year except June.
The displayed kazari yamakasa is a replica of the actual Hakata Gion Yamakasa floats.
As the shrine where the Hakata Gion Yamakasa is dedicated, displaying the kazari yamakasa on the grounds plays an important role in preserving and conveying the history and culture of this festival.
The kazari yamakasa faithfully recreates the actual festival float’s decorations, including the yakata (float structure), nobori (banners), and ornaments.
The yakata stands approximately 10 meters tall and 5 meters wide. The front displays the name of the float and the name of its nagare (district group).
Nobori (banners) are vertical flags displayed on the yakata. They bear the name of the nagare and the theme of the float.
The ornaments decorating the yakata and banners come in various forms, including items covered in gold and silver leaf as well as delicately carved pieces.
Kushida Shrine is home to the sacred ginkgo trees called “Meoto Ginkgo” (Married Ginkgo), estimated to be 300 years old, with some accounts suggesting they may be over 1,000 years old.
The name “Meoto Ginkgo” comes from the male and female trees growing from a single trunk, appearing to stand together like a married couple. Each tree stands approximately 25 meters tall, with the male tree’s trunk circumference measuring about 10 meters and the female tree’s about 9 meters. They are designated as prefecture-designated natural monuments.
Interestingly, in Hakata, the word for ginkgo is pronounced “ginan” instead of the standard “ginnan” or “icho.”
The Meoto Ginkgo trees are believed to bring blessings of marital harmony, matchmaking, and prosperity of descendants. Every October, a ceremony called “Ginan Otoshi” is held to pray for these blessings. The harvested ginkgo nuts are peeled and dried, then distributed as good luck charms at the “Ginan Matsuri” festival held the following March.
In Hakata, ginkgo is called ginan instead of the standard Japanese pronunciation.
Kushida Shrine displays “Chikara-ishi” (power stones), which have been used since ancient times for strength testing and martial arts training.
While chikara-ishi can be found at shrines throughout Japan, the ones at Kushida Shrine are said to have been used during the Edo period by professional sumo wrestlers from Hakata for strength testing and training.
The shrine grounds feature a poetry monument inscribed with “Hanakami Okami.”
Hanakami Okami was the divine title “Hanakami Daimyojin” bestowed upon Matsuo Basho, the revered haiku master of the Edo period. In 1843, Den Horo, one of the three great haiku poets of the Tenpo era, petitioned the Nijo family, and this divine title was granted.
This monument was erected in October 1893 by a Hakata haiku group called “Kosei-ha.” The reverse side is inscribed with the verse “Horai ni kikabaya, Ise no hatsu-dayori” (May I hear news from Horai, first tidings from Ise). The inscription was written by Priest Togan of Shofukuji Temple.
The guardian shrine where the Hakata Gion Yamakasa is dedicated, the prefecture-designated Meoto Ginkgo trees, and the sacred Tsuru no Ido spring believed to grant longevity—Kushida Shrine’s grounds encapsulate the history and culture of Hakata.
Hakata Dontaku, Hakata Gion Yamakasa, and Hakata Okunchi—all of Hakata’s representative festivals have deep connections to Kushida Shrine, and visitors can experience this festival spirit throughout the year.
Seasonal ceremonies such as the Minazuki Oharae Festival (June 30) and Hakata Okunchi (October 23-24) color the shrine grounds throughout the year.
When visiting Hakata, be sure to stop by “Okushida-san.”
