Shofuku-ji Temple
Shofuku-ji Temple
4
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Japan’s first Zen temple was founded in 1195 by Esai, who brought Zen Buddhism to Japan from China.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
117 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
58
Average
22
Poor
0
Terrible
2
M. L.
Singapore, Singapore413 contributions
Sep 2019
Not all temples publicize that closure dates online, so I arrived at a closed Shofuku-ji in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday.
The garden around the actual temple grounds is gorgeous. Many stones and buildings are placed around it, along with an arched bridge over a koi pond.
A little old lady feeds cats on the temple grounds, so expect to see them around.
I found a side building and went to enquire about goshuins or being opened, but the head priest shooed me away. I take from that response that the temple was indeed closed and the side building was probably off-limits.
If you can, check for closures before coming to visit. The actual temple area is gorgeous with multiple historical structures within.
The garden around the actual temple grounds is gorgeous. Many stones and buildings are placed around it, along with an arched bridge over a koi pond.
A little old lady feeds cats on the temple grounds, so expect to see them around.
I found a side building and went to enquire about goshuins or being opened, but the head priest shooed me away. I take from that response that the temple was indeed closed and the side building was probably off-limits.
If you can, check for closures before coming to visit. The actual temple area is gorgeous with multiple historical structures within.
Written October 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bonsaisai
Singapore81 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
Really enjoyed my time there on a May afternoon. My best Buddhist temple so far but I've tried only a handful. It's large and has several beautiful wooden buildings. Generally well-kept, it makes a very pleasant visit and a good place to meditate. The weather had been a bit dry there; otherwise, the green moss-covered ground would have looked really nice. I can't imagine how spectacular the garden would look in the fall. A great refuge from the hustling and bustling city life just outside the wall.
Written July 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily_G_Scott
Sydney, Australia408 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
You can visit this temple after Tochoji Temple. The garden is beautiful with tree lined path. Highly recommended if you enjoy quiet walk.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura G
Naples, Italy57 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
In the middle of the caos of the city, in an hidden street you'll be able to visit one of the best temple in Fukuoka. Great garden, especially in spring, and the gold Big Buddhas with Blu hair...amazing !!!
Written April 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,629 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
We took a long Fukuoka temple walk and came upon Shofukuji after visiting Jotenji Temple.
The grounds are open to the public, the buildings are not. As with lots of other temples, many of the buildings have been rebuilt at one time or another.
The splendid main hall of Shofukuji and the grand space behind were highly photogenic. Even more extraordinary was the gigantic Sanmon Gate which looked like it was hauled over from China, just like the religion itself. Of course, it was built here in Japan and, in fact, was rebuilt most recently in 1911.
Mid-November koyo were surprisingly quite colorful - elsewhere we had seen many trees still in their green, summer color.
There are many buildings on the grounds worth photographing and many nearby temples whose grounds were open for a visit. The whole area deserves at least a half day of walk-about.
The grounds are open to the public, the buildings are not. As with lots of other temples, many of the buildings have been rebuilt at one time or another.
The splendid main hall of Shofukuji and the grand space behind were highly photogenic. Even more extraordinary was the gigantic Sanmon Gate which looked like it was hauled over from China, just like the religion itself. Of course, it was built here in Japan and, in fact, was rebuilt most recently in 1911.
Mid-November koyo were surprisingly quite colorful - elsewhere we had seen many trees still in their green, summer color.
There are many buildings on the grounds worth photographing and many nearby temples whose grounds were open for a visit. The whole area deserves at least a half day of walk-about.
Written April 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GVancouver
Vancouver, Canada971 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
Shofukoji is the focal point of a cluster of temples close to the JR station. It is well worth the visit. It is a large complex of buildings. None of them in their own right are spectacular, but collectively very nice.
Suprisingly there were no more than half a dozen other tourists visiting, so it was a very relaxing experience.
Suprisingly there were no more than half a dozen other tourists visiting, so it was a very relaxing experience.
Written March 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidi H
Chandler, AZ89 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
Shofukuji (聖福寺, Shōfukuji) was one of the stops on the Fukuoka Bike Tour. It has the distinction of being the first Zen Temple in Japan. It had beautiful grounds surrounding the building. It was great to make a brief visit here during the bicycle tour.
Written November 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geelongexpat
Melbourne, Australia1,259 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
This temple is in the middle of a garden. It is pretty. There are cats that roam around. I like it here. There are benches to relax on as well.
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29,232 contributions
Oct 2019
Of the temples in the historic area of Old Hakata and the Temple Walk this was the largest and most impressive.It stated it was the first Zen temple in Japan and was built in 1195 by Yosai who apart from building temples introduced tea to Japan and actually planted tea in the grounds and nearby hills. The gardens are well maintained and there are some interesting gold Buddha's in the temple.
Written October 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karinakc
Parkdale, Australia216 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Nice temple to wander around but unfortunately didn't feel very zen given the gardeners were using leaf blowers! If you like Buddhas and cats highly recommend a visit.
Written September 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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