Shofukuji Temple

聖福寺

Japan's first Zen temple (1195), pine-shaded

Hours

8am to 5pm

Tickets

Grounds free

Address

6-1 Gokushomachi, Hakata Ward, about 10 min on foot from Hakata Station

Founded by the monk Eisai in 1195, this is the oldest Zen temple in Japan. It sits ten minutes from Hakata Station, yet step through the gate and pines shade a gravel path and the noise drops. The halls are closed to visitors, so you walk the grounds and look from outside. A loop takes about 30 minutes, which fits neatly into a stroll with Jotenji and Kushida Shrine.