Tochoji Temple

The temple has a beautiful pagoda and a big Buddha statue on the second floor of another building. The statue was very detailed and amazing to see. There’s an entrance or offering fee of ¥100 per person to view the Buddha, and taking photos inside is not allowed. I got a goshuin there. They have pre-made stamps available for ¥500. Visited in late September 2025.

Tochoji Temple is a free and small but culturally rich site in Fukuoka, often busy with visitors. It features a striking red, tiered pagoda that’s beautiful for photos and adds to the temple’s historic charm. The main highlight, however, is the massive seated Buddha hidden inside—one of the largest wooden Buddhas in Japan—which you can view for just 100 JPY. Despite its size, the temple grounds are compact, making it a quick but worthwhile stop if you’re in the area.

This is a very sacred Buddhist temple with a Buddha on second floor. If you are Buddhist it is highly recommend. The exhibit underneath the statue was the first I had experienced. The shrine at the side of the main temple has big mala beads which you can touch for blessing.

wonderful shrine. you can actually go inside the pagoda all the way to the top. This is Japan's oldest Buddhist temple.

A nice temple with a peaceful atmosphere. Candles and incense can be offered on the first floor main hall for a small offering. There’s a big and impressive wooden Buddha statue on the second floor. There’s also a hallway with paintings to illustrate the hell and pure realms at the base of the statue. Entrance fee to the second storey hall is reasonable at 50 yen.

Tōchō-ji Temple is a serene and culturally rich stop in the heart of Fukuoka—a perfect blend of history, spirituality, and architectural beauty. The highlight is undoubtedly the giant seated Buddha (Fukuoka Daibutsu)—one of the largest wooden Buddha statues in Japan. It’s breathtaking in scale and craftsmanship, and the quiet reverence inside the hall makes the experience feel especially profound. The temple grounds are compact but peaceful, with a beautiful five-story pagoda, stone statues, and lovely seasonal plants that add color and texture throughout the year. There’s also a hidden passage beneath the Daibutsu meant to symbolize a journey through the afterlife—short, dark, and symbolic, it adds an unexpected and moving element to the visit. Tōchō-ji is easy to access from Hakata Station and can be enjoyed in under an hour, making it a great cultural stop whether you’re just passing through or exploring the city in depth. A must-visit for anyone interested in Fukuoka’s spiritual and historical heritage.

After spending the day walking around crowded Dazaifu I came here by chance about 4pm. It was quiet. Personally i found this temple more impressive than the Dazaifu shrine. There is a giant indoor Buddha and behind it an art installation depicting hell using an old Buddhist scroll with progressively worse depictions of hell and a dark-room which was actually pretty scary. By chance there was a wedding ceremony in the main hall when I was there. They don’t allow photos of the Buddha or main hall.

You dont have to buy tickets if u wanna see and look around these places. If you want to explore to 2nd floor, you have to buy tickets.