Overview
Shoryu-ji is a temple of the Nichiren school located in Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City. Its mountain name is Shoko-zan. Though just steps from the bustling Tenjin shopping district, it is an old temple that has quietly accumulated history, with the graves and monuments of figures closely tied to modern Japan in its precinct. It makes for an oasis-like stop in the heart of the city, between shopping and sightseeing.
Highlights
- ●A Nichiren-school temple said to date from 1602, with the mountain name Shoko-zan
- ●The grave of army general Motojiro Akashi
- ●A monument marking the expeditionary force headquarters of the Satsuma Rebellion
- ●A quiet space of prayer alive in the heart of the Tenjin district
History
The temple is said to have been founded in 1602 (Keicho 7). Its former head temple was Myokaku-ji in Kyoto, and it belongs to the Shinshi lineage. Within the precinct stand the grave of Motojiro Akashi, an army general said to have come from the nearby Daimyo district, and a monument marking the headquarters of the government expeditionary force during the Satsuma Rebellion, letting visitors sense layers of Fukuoka's history, from the early Edo period into modern times, in a single place.
Access
The temple is in Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City (around 33.59°N, 130.40°E), within walking distance of stations such as the Fukuoka City Subway and Nishitetsu Tenjin. Because it is easy to reach from the center of Tenjin, it is convenient to drop by during shopping or sightseeing. Please confirm whether visits are permitted and the hours via official information.
Best season
Being in the city center, the temple is easy to visit year-round. Timing your visit to seasons when Tenjin's events and illuminations are lively lets you combine it with a town walk. For a calm visit, the quieter morning hours are recommended.
Map
33.5939, 130.4008 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Walk to Shoryu-ji from the subway or Nishitetsu stations in Tenjin
- 2Pay your respects at the main hall and take in the calm of the old Nichiren temple
- 3Trace the grave of Motojiro Akashi and the expeditionary-force monument to touch Fukuoka's modern history
- 4Return to Tenjin's shops and dining spots to enjoy strolling the town
Did you know?
💡 Motojiro Akashi, who rests in the precinct, was an army general also known for intelligence work during the Russo-Japanese War, and is said to have come from the nearby Daimyo district. The quiet presence of such an important figure of modern Japanese history in a corner of lively Tenjin is an unexpected highlight.
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