Kushida Shrine ⛩️ — The main shrine of Hakata

Kushida Shrine is a shrine located in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City. It has a history of over 1,250 years and is home to the Souji gods of Hakata and Sou. The local people affectionately call it "Okushida-san". Although this shrine is small, it is full of Hakata's style and humor, and is a tourist attraction worth visiting. Kushida Shrine is a historic shrine located in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City. It is the general guardian of Hakata and the venue for famous festivals such as the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. I went to Kushida Shrine in July this year and witnessed the spectacular scene of Hakata Gion Yamakasa with my own eyes, and also felt the devotion and enthusiasm of the people of Hakata towards the shrine. Here, I would like to share my travel experience and thoughts with you 🙏🏻🫶🏻 Kushida Shrine hosts many exciting festivals and events every year, the most famous of which is the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. This is a traditional folk event held every July, in which men from all over Hakata form teams and run through the streets pushing beautifully decorated yamakasa (a bamboo structure over 10 meters high) to show their respect and gratitude to Kushida Okami. There are two types of Yamagasa: decorated Yamagasa and chased Yamagasa. The former is a giant Yamagasa fixed on the streets or in the Kushida Shrine for people to admire, and the latter is a small movable Yamagasa that is carried on the shoulders or pushed on the ground by team members. July 1st to 14th every year is the time for the display of the decorated Yamakasa, and July 15th is the day for the Yamakasa chasing competition, which is also the climax of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. In the early morning of that day, members of each team will set out from various places in Hakata Ward wearing white robes and short sleeves, colorful hand towels, white headscarves, and holding up the Ooiyamakasa, singing "Hakata Shintoku" along the way, and heading towards Kushida Shrine. The scene was very spectacular and lively, attracting countless tourists and media attention. I was also lucky enough to go to Kushida Shrine on the morning of July 15th and see Kushida Iri chasing after Yamakasa. This is an indescribable feeling of being touched and shocked, which left me with a deep impression of the unity and bravery of the Bodo people🤩 #FukuokaTravel #OverseasTravel #travel