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Kushida Shrine
The oldest Shinto
shrine in Hakata, its most famous landmark and the focal point of many
of the city's traditional festivals, including the massive Yamakasa
Festival. Apart from its cultural significance and the working shrine,
it is also notable for housing a museum detailing the history of the
Hakata area.
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Tenjin
The heart of Fukuoka, this
is where you'll find the most shopping centres (try Mitsukoshi or
Daimaru), restaurants, bars, hotels and other entertainments.
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Hakozaki Shrine
One of the three temples in
Japan dedicated to the Emperor-deity Hachiman and was first constructed
in 921 AD. The temple itself houses cultural treasures and the shrine is
a popular place for locals to visit to pray for success.
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Dazaifu Shrine
One
of the city's most famous shrines, it was built in the 10th century to
appease the vengeful spirit of Sugawara No Michizane, a famous
poet-scholar who had been exiled to the city. Appropriately enough, a
traditional festival is held here on the first Sunday of every March,
and the main focus of it is composing poetry. The shrine is also noted
for its 6,000 plum trees, which bloom in late winter.
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Sofukuji Temple
Constructed in 1195 on
the orders of the priest Eisai, it was built shortly after his return
from China, and just before he began preaching what would become known
as the Rinzai Zen doctrines. The Temple is thus considered Japan's first
Zen Buddhist temple.
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Ruins of Fukuoka
Castle
Built
in 1601 by Nagamasu Kuroda, the first feudal lord of Chikuzen, this once
impressive castle is now in ruins, with only the Otemon Gate and the
Tamon Turret. The site is still popular however of the charming view it
offers of the Momochi area of Fukuoka (the richest and most scenic
district in the city) and of Hakata Bay.
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Aratsu Bridge
Tenjin
This 345 metre long
suspension bridge spans part of Hakata Bay and is popular with visitors
not for its structure, but for the view of the bay and the surrounding
mountains while you're crossing it. Either drive across or take a bus.
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