Hakata temple & shrine town trail, in Fukuoka-prefecture

Hakata temple and shrine town is located within walking distance of JR ]Hakata Station and

there are many Temples and Shrines where you can feel and soak up the ambience of true

traditional Japanese culture.

The history of Hakata temple and shrine town started with the dispatch of Japanese cultural and

political missions to China in the 7^th century. Afterwards the area prospered as the hub of Hakata,

which at the time was the largest port trading city in Japan.

There are many valuable artefacts and monuments here, including Tochoji temple, Kushida

Shrine, Jotenji temple, Shofukuji temple as well as Engakuji temple.

It is also surprising that Hakata has little recognition for being the origin of many culinary staples

such as Udon and Soba noodles, Manju (steamed bun), Uiro (steamed cake made of rice flour),

and traditional beverages like Japanese green tea.

This important historical area is also the location of Japan’s first Zen-temple and Shingon-temple.