🌿【Fukuoka Shofukuji Temple｜A thousand-year-old Tang and Song dynasty legacy hidden in the bustling city】

#FukuokaItinerary Among the many temples in Fukuoka, Shofuku-ji Temple is like an ancient jade covered by time, quietly exuding a calm temperament. This is one of the oldest Zen temples in Japan. It does not have the crowds of people like Tochoji Temple, but it has the power to bring instant peace to the soul. 🏯【The historical heritage of the thousand-year-old temple】 As the main temple of the Rinzai sect's "Anguozan", Shofuku-ji was founded by Zen Master Eisai in 1195. This legendary monk not only introduced Rinzai Zen to Japan, but also brought back tea seeds from China for the first time. He is known as the "Father of Japanese Tea Ceremony". The existing "Buddha Hall" and "Bell Tower" in the area were rebuilt in the Edo period, but they have completely retained the architectural charm of the Tang and Song dynasties: hip-and-gable roofs, brackets and flying eaves, and wooden lattice doors, exuding a solemn and simple beauty everywhere. 🌳【A shrine experience that makes time stand still】 ▪️ Meditation in the main hall: Take off your shoes and enter the main hall, kneel on the tatami, look at the moss and pine trees in the courtyard through the lattice window, listen to the host chanting scriptures, and your worries will seem to dissipate with the smoke of incense; ▪️ Tea Ceremony Experience: Book a "Matcha Zen Meditation Session" in advance, follow the monks to learn the tea-making ritual, and comprehend the Zen meaning of "once in a lifetime" in the delicate foam of whipped matcha; ▪️ Strolling in the Tang-style courtyard: The "dry landscape" garden in the backyard uses white sand to represent rivers and seas, and the stone group symbolizes Penglai. Walking around on the gravel path, you can hear the echo of time with every step. 📸【Hidden photo spot】 ▫️ The "Tang Gate" on the side of the bell tower: the vermilion door frame and the green bamboo complement each other, making it a great place to take ancient style photos; ▫️ At the steps of the Buddhist temple: a low-angle upward shot of the eaves and the blue sky, the composition is full of oriental aesthetic tension; ▫️ The century-old ginkgo tree in the temple: When the golden leaves cover the ground in autumn, sit on the stone steps and take photos of the tranquil atmosphere. 🚃【Transportation and Etiquette】 • Address: 6-1 Kamikawabata-cho, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City • Transportation: 10 minutes walk from Nakasu-Kawabata subway station or 8 minutes by bike from Hakata station • Admission: Free (reservations required for special events) • Etiquette: Please keep quiet when worshipping. Photography is prohibited in the main hall. Please avoid areas where monks are active when taking photos. ✨【Travel experience】 The unpopularity of Shengfu Temple is precisely what makes it so rare - there is no commercial noise, only sincere faith and quiet space. Whether you believe in Buddhism or not, you can feel the power of "emptiness" when you walk into here: clear your mind of distracting thoughts and impetuousness, and let your mind gain deep relaxation in the legacy of the Tang and Song dynasties. If you are also looking for a "spiritual station" during your journey, Shengfuji Temple may be able to give you something more precious than the scenery. #FukuokaTravel #JapaneseAncientArchitecture #TempleMeditation #TeaCulture #KyushuHistoryTour