Tochoji Temple

A Sacred Site of Esoteric Buddhism, Full of Fukuoka’s History and Culture

Located in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Tochoji Temple is known as the oldest esoteric Buddhist temple in Japan and is a must-see for tourists interested in history and culture.Built by Kukai (Kobo Daishi) around 806, the temple attracts visitors with its magnificent history and valuable cultural assets.

History of Tochoji Temple

Tochoji Temple was founded by Kobo Daishi upon his return to Japan after completing his training in Tang Dynasty China, with the wish to spread the teachings of esoteric Buddhism.Originally located by the sea, the temple was moved to its current location during the Edo period by Tadayuki Kuroda, the second lord of the Fukuoka domain.With this relocation, the temple received a large donation from the Kuroda family, which granted the temple territory and forests.
Successive lords of the Kuroda family are buried in the cemetery, especially the graves of Tadayuki II, Mitsuyuki III, and Harutaka VIII, which have been designated as city-designated historical sites.These graves are testimony to Tochoji Temple’s deep connection with the history and culture of the area.

Tochoji Temple Highlights

Fukuoka Daibutsu (Great Buddha)

The Fukuoka Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is the most remarkable statue at Tochoji Temple.At 16.1 meters high, the wooden Shakyamuni Buddha statue, including the halo, is the largest seated statue in Japan.The Great Buddha was sculpted over a period of four years starting in 1988, and the halo behind it, carved with seven Buddhas, thirteen Buddhas, and more than 5,000 smaller Buddhas, is a masterpiece.Visitors can also admire the precious items in the adjoining Treasures Exhibition Hall.

Senju Kannon Bosatsu

This 82-centimeter-high statue of the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, carved from a single piece of cedar wood during the Heian period (794-1185), is designated as a National Important Cultural Property of Japan.Despite its small size, the statue’s weighty beauty is a source of admiration for visitors.

Rokkakudo

Rokkakudo, built in 1842, is a city-designated structure.This Buddhist temple, built by Nagoya’s Dōmiya Carpenters, is a structure consisting of a rinkō and a covered roof, and is characterized by its excellent morphological and functional design.The interior contains calligraphy and paintings by writers and artists of the time, and is opened on the 28th of each month.

Events and Occasions

Setsubun Festival

Every year in February, Tochoji Temple holds the Setsubun Festival, which has been held since the Muromachi period (1333-1573).At this event, the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, Otafuku, red and blue demons make an appearance, and a lively bean-throwing ceremony is held.This festival, which is usually crowded with visitors, is a traditional event of Tochoji Temple and is well known by locals and tourists alike.

Light-up Events

In autumn, the old town of Hakata, including Tochoji Temple, is lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere in the historic cityscape.This event was planned to convey the charm of Hakata to a large number of people, and has now become an established autumn tradition.