Temples & religious sites
Sumiyoshi Shrine
Sumiyoshi Shrine (住吉神社) is a Shinto shrine in the Sumiyoshi neighborhood of Hakata-ku, Fukuoka in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is the ichinomiya of former Chikuzen Province. The main festival of the shrine is held annually on October 13. Along with the more famous Sumiyoshi-taisha in Osaka and the Sumiyoshi Jinja in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, it is one of the "Three Great Sumiyoshi" shrines.
What it is
Sumiyoshi Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Hakata-ku, recognized as the ichinomiya (highest-ranked shrine) of the historical Chikuzen Province. It's grouped with Sumiyoshi-taisha in Osaka and the Sumiyoshi Jinja in Shimonoseki as one of the "Three Great Sumiyoshi" shrines in Japan. Visitors come for the wooden shrine buildings and grounds, a quieter contrast to the shopping and dining streets nearby, and a look at a site with deep local religious significance rather than a purely scenic stop.
Getting there
The shrine sits close to central Fukuoka, within walking distance of Hakata Station and the Nakasu/Tenjin area. From Hakata Station it's roughly a 10-15 minute walk. It's also reachable on foot from the nearby Kushida Shrine and Nakasu districts if you're already exploring that part of the city.
Time to allow
Most visitors spend around 30-45 minutes walking the grounds and viewing the main hall.
When to go
The shrine's main festival takes place annually on October 13, which draws larger crowds and is worth planning around if you want either a livelier atmosphere or a quieter visit. Outside festival dates, it tends to be relatively calm, making mornings or weekdays a good choice if you prefer fewer people around.
Combine with
- Kushida Shrine (0.9km) - another Shinto shrine within easy walking distance.
- Nakasu (1km) - Fukuoka's entertainment and dining district, good for an evening stop afterward.
- Tōchō-ji Temple (1.1km) and Jōten-ji Temple (1.1km) - both a short walk away, useful if you're spending a morning or afternoon visiting temples and shrines in this part of Hakata-ku.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
