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Tochoji Temple: A Tranquil Oasis in Fukuoka

Discover Fukuoka's oldest Shingon temple, featuring Japan's largest wooden Buddha, a five-story pagoda, and a journey through hell and paradise.

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Tochoji Temple, founded in 806 AD by Kobo Daishi, is the oldest Shingon Buddhist temple in Kyushu. Located in Hakata, Fukuoka, it features the Fukuoka Daibutsu, Japan's largest seated wooden Buddha statue, a five-story pagoda, and a unique 'hell and paradise tour'.

A brief summary to Tochoji Temple.

Local tips

  • Visit early in the day to avoid crowds and fully appreciate the tranquil atmosphere.
  • Don't miss the 'hell and paradise tour' beneath the Great Buddha for a unique spiritual experience.
  • Check the temple's calendar for cultural events and festivals, such as the Setsubun Festival in February.
  • Take a moment to appreciate the intricate details of the five-story pagoda, built without using any nails.
  • Respect cultural norms by removing your shoes before entering sacred spaces.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Hakata Station, take the Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line to Gion Station. The ride is approximately 2 minutes, and the temple is a 1-minute walk from Exit 6 of Gion Station. The subway fare is ¥190-¥220 for adults. A one-day subway pass is available for ¥640.

  • Walking

    Tochoji Temple is approximately a 10-minute walk from Hakata Station. Exit Hakata Station and walk north on Taihaku-dori (大博通り). The temple will be on your left.

  • Taxi

    A taxi from Hakata Station to Tochoji Temple takes about 3 minutes and costs approximately ¥1100-¥1400. Taxis are readily available at Hakata Station.

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Discover more about Tochoji Temple.

Tochoji Temple, officially known as Tochomitsuji Temple, is a serene escape in the heart of Fukuoka. Founded in 806 AD by the revered monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) after his return from China, it's the oldest Shingon Buddhist temple on Kyushu. The temple was originally built near the coast but was later moved to its current location by Kuroda Tadayuki, the second lord of the Chikuzen Province. The temple's main attraction is the Fukuoka Daibutsu, a massive 10.8-meter tall wooden Buddha statue, completed in 1992. Visitors can explore the "hell and paradise tour" located in the statue's pedestal, featuring a dark passageway where touching the 'wheel of Buddha' is said to grant passage to paradise. Behind the Great Buddha are as many as 5,000 small Buddha statues enshrined. Other highlights include a five-story vermilion pagoda, completed in 2011 using traditional construction methods without nails, and the Rokkakudo (hexagonal hall), a cultural asset of the city. The temple also houses a Senju Kannon (Thousand-Armed Kannon) statue, an Important Cultural Property carved from a single piece of Japanese cedar during the Heian period. Tochoji is the family temple of the Kuroda clan, and the graves of the second, third, and eighth lords are located here.

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