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- Destinations
- Asia
- Japan
- Fukuoka
- Kushida Shrine
Kushida Shrine
One of Fukuoka's best-known shrines is Kushida, founded in 757.
It is situated in the heart of ancient Hakata with a huge gingko
tree, said to be 1,000 years old, shading its forecourt. The shrine
honours the grand deity, Ohata Nushina-mikoto, and was built during
the Heian Period for the common people. Today it is very much
enjoyed by locals and visitors alike during the summer's major
event, the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. On the last day of the
festival the Kushida Shrine becomes the starting point for the
Oiyama fun run when hundreds of young men clad only in loin cloths
carry heavy wooden shrines through the streets along a set route,
vying to clock the fastest times. The shrine itself contains
several items of interest, particularly the Eto Arrow plate bearing
carvings of the Chinese zodiac and a brace of anchor stones,
recovered from the harbour, that were once attached to ships of the
Mongolian invasion fleets.
Information & Facts
Address
1-41, Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku
Language
Japanese is the official language. Most Japanese people
will have studied English at school, but few can speak it well or
understand what is said to them.
Money
The currency is the Japanese Yen (JPY), which is equal to 100
sen. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels and
stores, but most Japanese operate with cash. Cash and travellers
cheques can be exchanged in banks, post offices and currency
exchange bureaux. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday 9am to
3pm. Travellers cheques offer the best exchange rate and are best
taken in US dollars. ATMs do not accept all credit and debit cards;
only the international ATMs in post offices, airports and some
major stores.
Time