Sumiyoshi Shrine

It was a quiet weekday morning visit to the shrine. The shrine staff were cleaning the grounds, and the shrine office was accommodating. They offer a goshuin for ¥500. We visited during the last week of September 2025. It’s a walkable shrine within the Canal City area.

Sumiyoshi Shrine, located just a short walk from Hakata Station, is a peaceful and compact shrine with serene grounds that offer a welcome break from the city. While small, it holds cultural significance as one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Fukuoka, dedicated to the protection of sailors. Entry is free, and when we visited on a weekday afternoon, it was pleasantly quiet with few other visitors—ideal for a calm, reflective stop.

This shrine offers a spacious, peaceful retreat under a towering sacred tree, right in the middle of the city. Surrounded by modern buildings, it’s not hidden, yet it holds a deep sense of sanctity. Ceremonies are held here, and many people come to pray, adding to its spiritual atmosphere. I also took a walk to the nearby river, which has a fascinating historical story. The shrine is not only beautiful but also easy to find—a perfect spot for a quiet moment amid the urban landscape.

a must visit shrine in fukuoka. a bit restricted on taking photo but to enjoy the scenery, the shrine and observing the quietness. it is highly recommended

Big inner city shrine with grounds. Not too busy so you can have a calm walk around. Hand written Goshuin available.

It was a nice and quiet sinsa. No ticket required. There are some people who are praying so you need to be quite when you visit.

quiet atmosphere, the oldest Sumiyoshi Shrine among the three in Japan. minus 1 star for the ugly calligraphy 🤫

This is probably one of the most serene places that I have ever been to out here in Japan. It is not huge but it’s big enough that it will take you at least an hour to really see everything. The main shrine was meticulously manicured almost to perfection. In contrast to that, I think the water garden needs a little more love but it wasn’t an eyesore by any means. It has parking exclusively for the Shrine and a couple of entrances/exits in various directions.

This Sumiyoshi shrine is located in Hakata ward, Fukuoka prefecture. We can walk from Hakata station of JR lines including Shinkansen line, and Kuko line of Fukuoka Municipal Subway. It takes approximately 15 minutes from the station. Actually, there are 2,129 named Sumiyoshi shrines in Japan. And, in fact, this is the first shrine of them. The detail of foundation is unknown, but this was built over 1800 years ago. So this is really old and historic shrine. Their precincts is very large. And there are not only the main shrine but also many auxiliary shrines. We can get "Goshuin" (handwritten sign and stamp of shrines and temples) at here. They offer it at the shrine office on the left side by the main shrine. It charges 300 yen. Details about Goshuin is below. http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html この住吉神社は福岡県博多区にある神社です。 最寄り駅は新幹線駅を含むJR線と、福岡市地下鉄空港線の博多駅です。 駅からは徒歩で約15分ほどの場所にあります。 現在、日本全国で2,129社の住吉神社がありますが、この住吉神社がそれら住吉神社の一番最初に建てられた神社だと伝えられています。 今からおよそ1800年以上前に創建された、古く、歴史のある神社です。 境内は広く、本殿だけでなく、たくさんの摂社、末社も祀られています。 御朱印は本殿左側にある社務所にて頂戴する事が出来ます。 初穂料は300円です。 御朱印については下記のリンク先にまとめてあります。 http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html