Located right under Wakato Bridge in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, then the longest bridge in the East, this shrine boasts more than 1000 years of history. Legend has it that the shrine was built around 1800 years ago to enshrine a glowing stone found at the bottom of the sea by Takeuchinosukune, a faithful servant of Emperor Chuai and Empress Jingu. The divine stone is said to be still sitting in the innermost of the shrine's main building.
Visiting shrines and temples is one of the most popular tourist activities in Japan. Simply strolling around the serene grounds and taking pictures of the age-old structures already makes for a great experience, but if you are willing to take a little more time and understand the manners and customs long observed by the Japanese, your shrine visits will be even more enjoyable! During this 2.5-hour session, not only will you be able to get a tour of a time-honored shrine with an informative commentary by the chief priest, you get to enjoy fun traditions like drawing "omikuji" fortunes and writing your wishes on "ema" tablets. You can also create your own "goshuincho", a seal book that will make your shrine/temple hopping even more memorable one. If you want a comprehensive shrine visiting experience in Kyushu, look no further!
