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Did you know there is a shrine directly above JR Hakata Station?
Pass through three torii gates along the approach, walk past a matchmaking statue, and reach the main hall. Here, 60 meters above ground, you can pray for safe travels.
This article introduces the charm of Tetsudo Shrine, directly connected to Hakata Station.
Hakata Tetsudo Shrine is located in Tsubame-no-Mori Hiroba, a rooftop garden of JR Hakata City, the station building above JR Hakata Station. It was established in 2011 to coincide with the full opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen and enshrines a spirit from Sumiyoshi Shrine in the Hakata district.
Railway workers and train enthusiasts affectionately call it the Grand Shrine of Railways.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visiting Hours | 10:00 am–10:00 pm (Until 9:00 pm from January 4 to end of February) |
| Closed | None |
| Address | 1 - 1 Hakata Station Chuo - gai, Hakata - ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka 812 - 0012 |
| Access | Directly connected to JR Hakata Station (JR Hakata City rooftop) |
In March 2011, JR Hakata City opened alongside the full opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen. Tetsudo Shrine was established in the rooftop garden Tsubame-no-Mori Hiroba as a place to pray for safe travels.
The enshrined deity is Sumiyoshi Okami, whose spirit was divided from Sumiyoshi Shrine in the Hakata district. Sumiyoshi Shrine is worshipped as the god of safe navigation and travel safety and holds the prestigious title of Ichinomiya of Chikuzen Province.
Until Hakata Station relocated to its current location in 1963, the Kagoshima Main Line tracks ran right beside Sumiyoshi Shrine. This deep connection with railways led to the establishment of Tetsudo Shrine, enshrining Sumiyoshi Okami on the rooftop of Hakata Station.
The enshrined deity of Tetsudo Shrine is Sumiyoshi Okami. Sumiyoshi Okami is the collective name for three gods: Sokotsutsu-no-o-no-Mikoto, Nakatsutsu-no-o-no-Mikoto, and Uwatsutsu-no-o-no-Mikoto. They are worshipped as protectors of safe navigation and travel.
Tetsudo Shrine has three torii gates named Hoshimon (Star Gate), Fukumon (Fortune Gate), and Yumemon (Dream Gate).
Hoshimon wards off evil and misfortune, Fukumon invites good fortune, and Yumemon brings good relationships.
These three gates stand along the 50-meter approach, and passing through them is believed to bring blessings.
The entrance to Tetsudo Shrine is the first torii gate.
The first torii gate is a wooden torii at the entrance of the shrine approach. The signboard reads Hoshimon (Star Gate).
Hoshimon is a gate for warding off evil and misfortune. As Tetsudo Shrine is dedicated to railway safety, visitors praying for safe travels first pass through this gate.
The second torii gate is a wooden torii along the shrine approach. The signboard reads Fukumon (Fortune Gate).
Fukumon is a gate that invites good fortune. Passing through this gate is believed to bring safe travels and good luck.
The third torii gate is a wooden torii at the end of the shrine approach. The signboard reads Yumemon (Dream Gate).
Yumemon is a gate that brings good relationships. Passing through this gate is believed to bring safe travels and meaningful connections.
Though Tetsudo Shrine is compact, it is a proper shrine with a temizuya (purification fountain).
The temizuya is a sacred place where visitors purify their hands before worship. It helps elevate the spirit of those praying for safe journeys.
After passing through the third torii gate, you enter a plaza with torii gates arranged in a circle. In the center stands the Enmusubi Shichifuku Doji (Seven Lucky Children for Matchmaking).
The Enmusubi Shichifuku Doji is a bronze statue installed when JR Hakata City opened in 2011. It was created by sculptor Satoshi Yabuuchi, known for designing Sento-kun.
The sculpture depicts seven children from the seven Kyushu prefectures playing train together. It embodies the wish for Kyushu to be connected as one.
Rubbing the heads of the children is said to bring blessings, making this a popular power spot for matchmaking.
Beyond the plaza stand the main torii gate and main hall.
The main torii gate is a symbol of Tetsudo Shrine and beloved by many visitors.
The main torii gate is made of wood, and the signboard reads Tetsudo Shrine.
Passing through the main torii gate, you reach the main hall. The main hall enshrines Sumiyoshi Okami, the deity of Tetsudo Shrine.
The main hall is the heart of Tetsudo Shrine where Sumiyoshi Okami is enshrined. It enhances the spirit of those praying for safe travels and happiness.
The Waganse Gassho Jizo is a Jizo statue erected to pray for recovery from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Jizo Bosatsu is a bodhisattva who descended into hell to save souls and is a symbol of compassion and salvation.
The Waganse Gassho Jizo was erected in 2012 to pray for the safety of those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The statue was carved from pine wood from Rikuzentakata City, carrying wishes for the recovery of the disaster-stricken area.
The Waganse Gassho Jizo features a gentle expression with hands pressed together in prayer. Praying before this statue is said to bring blessings for disaster recovery, safe travels, and happiness.
When visiting Tetsudo Shrine, this is a spot worth seeing. It serves as a spiritual anchor for visitors praying for disaster recovery, safe travels, and happiness.
The shrine grounds feature many railway-related monuments and reliefs. Among them, the relief of Hermann Rumschöttel, a German railway engineer who taught railway technology in Meiji-era Japan, has become a symbol of Tetsudo Shrine.
Hermann Rumschöttel was a German railway engineer who came to Japan as a foreign advisor during the Meiji era to teach railway technology.
Rumschöttel was born in 1844 in Trier, Prussia. After studying at the Berlin Technical University, he worked for the German railways.
In 1887, the Japanese government planned the construction of the Kyushu Railway and invited Rumschöttel as a consulting engineer. He contributed to building the Kyushu Railway and advancing Japanese railway technology.
Rumschöttel is called the Father of Kyushu Railways for building the railway network across Kyushu. In 1889, he opened the line between Hakata Station and Chitosegawa Temporary Stop, laying the foundation for railway development in Kyushu.
Next to Tetsudo Shrine runs the Tsubame Train.
The Tsubame Train is a retro-style mini railway designed by Eiji Mitooka.
Modeled after the Tsubame express train from the 1930s, the train features a vermilion and cream two-tone color scheme with wooden seats inside.
The Tsubame Train runs a course circling Tsubame-no-Mori Hiroba twice within the shrine grounds.
In addition to the Tsubame Train, there are also the Kuro-chan Train and Dream Tsubame, with which train runs being a surprise for the day.
*As of January 2026, the train is suspended for maintenance. Check the latest operating status at the JR Hakata City Official Website.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating Hours (Mon/Fri) | 11:00 am–6:00 pm (Closed: Around 1:40 pm–3:00 pm) |
| Operating Hours (Sat/Sun/Holidays) | 10:00 am–6:00 pm |
| Closed Days | Tue/Wed/Thu (*Open during long holidays) |
| Fare | 200 yen (2 laps per ride) *Free for children 2 and under |
Ward off evil at Hoshimon, invite fortune at Fukumon, and find good connections at Yumemon. Walk the 50-meter approach, pay respects to the Enmusubi Shichifuku Doji, and pray for safe travels at the main hall. On the rooftop of Hakata Station, a sacred space perfect for beginning a journey awaits.
Born with the full opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen, Tetsudo Shrine continues to watch over travelers with the god of safe travel inherited from Sumiyoshi Shrine.
Just a short elevator ride from Hakata Station. Before boarding the Shinkansen or express train, or as a final stop on your Hakata sightseeing, visit this rooftop shrine to pray for a safe journey.
