01 – Hakata
The Past and Present Hakata Course 4 hours
October 17, a half-day excursion——————-Fukuoka Downtown »
Ishikura Brewery » Tochoji Temple » Hakata Machiya Folk Museum »
Kushida Shrine » Rakusien Park » Canal City Hakata
1.Ishikura Brewery
Started as Hakata’s oldest sake brewery, the sake storehouse registered as an Important Cultural Asset is now turned into a restaurant of Japanese cuisine. Short tours in the premise are also popular.
2.Tochoji Temple
The oldest Buddist temple in Japan of the Singon sect, founded by Kobo Daishi, otherwise known as Kukai. The temple hosts the wooden “God of mercy with 1,000 hands,” which is designated a nationally important cultural property, and the largest wooden statue of Buddha in Japan.
3.Hakata Machiya Folk Museum
This museum is a restored Hakata townhouse (machiya) and recreates Hakata town during the Meiji and Taisho eras (around the turn of the 20th cent.). The lifestyle and culture of Hakata in the early 20th century is introduced and there are daily demonstrations of traditionalcraftwork such as Hakata-ori textiles and Hakata dolls.
4.Kushida Shrine
The shrine is believed to have been built in 757 and is home to the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival, one of the city’s main events held annually in July. One of the decorative floats of Gion Yamakasa Festival is displayed.
5.Rakusuien Park
A Japanese garden and a tea room in a serene atmosphere. The park was developed on the site of a Meiji era (late 19th century) villa belonging to a well-to-do Hakata merchant.
6.Canal City Hakata
Canal City Hakata, with a canal running through its center, is a commercial complex that houses hotels, theatre, cinema complex, specialty shops, restaurants, and more. This is one of the highly popular spots in Hakata.
