Guide to the grounds

Guide to the grounds

We guide you through the shrine grounds, where the goshaden (main sanctuary)
and other structures preserve the history and cultural heritage of the shrine.

Map of the grounds

Goshaden (main sanctuary)

Goshaden
(main sanctuary)

To enable the first lord of the Fukuoka domain, Kuroda Nagamasa, to build Fukuoka Castle, this shrine was temporarily merged with Kogarasu Shrine in 1601 and then re-enshrined in 1608 once its own structure had been built in the current location.
After a major fire in the city in October 1668, the third lord, Kuroda Mitsuyuki, restored the shrine, and its main sanctuary’s appearance remains unchanged from that time.
Carvings of birds and other animals are scattered throughout the eaves of the main sanctuary, adding much visual appeal to the building for visitors.

Shinmon gate

Shinmon gate

This gate was erected in 2008 at the time of the Shikinen Sengu renewal ceremony.
Although the gate incorporates metal fittings for earthquake resistance, its main frame was recreated using a fitted assembly technique unique to Japan.

Torii gate

Torii gate

This gate was erected in 1639 by Kuroda Tadayuki, the second lord of the domain, with stone quarried from Mt. Kaya in Itoshima City.
The first lord, Kuroda Nagamasa, also donated granite from Mt. Kaya to the large torii gate (designated an Important Cultural Property) in front of the main gate of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. At the request of the Edo Shogunate, Kuroda Tadayuki donated a torii gate made from granite from Mt. Kaya to Momijiyama Toshogu Shrine (now the Imperial Palace Momijiyama Silkworm Farm) within Edo Castle. This torii gate was relocated to Ueno Toshogu Shrine by the Meiji government in 1873, and remains today as the Shinobazu Entrance Torii on the Ikenohata approach.
The torii gate at Kego Shrine remains as a sister gate to those of Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Ueno Toshogu Shrine. Partially damaged in the 2005 Fukuoka Prefecture West Offshore Earthquake, it shows signs of repairs.

Imamsu Inari Shrine

Imamsu Inari Shrine

This shrine enshrines Ukanomitama-no-Kami, who governs not just agriculture and commerce, but food, clothing, and shelter in general. The enshrined kami is widely revered for granting blessings of commercial prosperity and business success.
This Inari deity enriches people’s present lives even more.
There are four fox statues located in front of the sanctuary, but the two in front have smiling and laughing expressions—an unusual style seldom seen in Japan.
It has long been believed that those stroking the foxes will be granted a blessing of commercial prosperity, and many do so when visiting the shrine.

About Imamasu Inari Shrine
Laughing and smiling foxes

Laughing and smiling foxes

In line with the torii gates, there are four stone fox statues.
The two foxes in front of the sanctuary have stern expressions as if they are warding off evil, but the foxes in front of the torii gates, who are the first to welcome those who come to pray, are laughing and smiling.
They welcome everyone with kindness and peace and listen to people’s wishes.

Amaterasu Kotaijingu

Amaterasu Kotaijingu

This shrine enshrines Amaterasu-Omikami.
She is the enshrined kami of the Naiku at Ise Jingu, revered as the principal kami of Japan and the Japanese people and as the kami who governs the sun.
She was born when Izanagi-no-Mikoto purified himself at Awagihara in Odo and is also the ancestral kami of the Imperial Family.

Sugawara Shrine

Sugawara Shrine

This shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane as its kami.
He was praised as a child prodigy from an early age, and under Emperor Uda, was active in politics, abolishing the Japanese missions to Tang China. Later he was appointed Minister of the Right. However, he was demoted to Dazaifu by the Minster of the Left, Fujiwara Tokihira, and others, and died in despair.
He was later worshipped as the god of learning, as he had excelled in academics.

Needle Monument

Needle Monument

Awashima Shrine, located in Kada Town, Wakayama Prefecture, has its origins in the popular belief that the enshrined kami had miraculous powers to cure gynecological ailments. The kami later came to be worshipped as the kami of women’s needlework.
The monument was erected in May 1979 by the Fukuoka Branch of the Japanese Dressmaking Association and the Fukuoka Kimono Sewing Association. The inscription on the front was written by Hikaru Kamei, former governor of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Every year on February 8, a ceremony is held in front of Needle Monument to express gratitude for needles. The ceremony involves inserting needles into a piece of tofu and then placing the needles in a stone chamber inside the monument.

Komainu (guardian lion-dogs)

Komainu (guardian lion-dogs)

In 1828, bronze komainu statues on granite pedestals were originally donated by parishioners. The statues were requisitioned during the Pacific War, as there was a great need for bronze, so only their pedestals remained for some time.
The current granite komainu were donated by parishioner Hyakujiro Nagao in 1991.
Komainu come in pairs. The one with an open mouth is the A-gyo, and the one with a closed mouth is the Un-gyo. Both komainu at this shrine are male.
The name “Stonemason Hirota Bunichi” engraved on the pedestal is the grandfather of Koki Hirota, the first person from Fukuoka Prefecture to become Prime Minister of Japan.

Stone lanterns

Stone lanterns

There are 33 stone lanterns of seven different types dedicated on the shrine grounds, but the 16 around the main sanctuary are old, having been dedicated between 200 and 400 years ago.
Many of the stone lanterns were dedicated in pairs, but over time some have lost their original paired arrangement.

Temizusha (ablution font)

Temizusha (ablution font)

The temizusha is a facility where worshippers can purify themselves before offering prayers.
The temizusha was built by Kongo Gumi in 2022. It is a valuable structure made using traditional wood-joining techniques without the use of nails.
The water basin was donated by parishioners from Hamamachi in 1934 and carved out of 3.5 tons of granite. There is no drain, so the water overflows from the basin, allowing worshippers to be constantly purified with fresh water.

Sacred water

Sacred water

The water that flows out of the monolithic dragon’s mouth is produced using Mineral Crystar, which replicates the geological layers that produce high-quality natural water. Known for its health benefits, the water is used by many people.

Shrine stone marker

Shrine stone marker

At the entrance to Kego Shirne, there is a stone marker with an inscription reading “Kensha Kego Shrine.” The marker was donated by parishioners from Hamanomachi in March 1916.
The term “Kensha” is a remnant of the shrine ranking system that existed before the war.

Shrine office / jinja gift counter

Shrine office / jinja gift counter

This office is where general shrine administration is carried out. The building was completed in September 2022.
Amulets, goshuin (shrine calligraphy), and various other services are also available here.

About the shrine office building
Honden (main hall) / jinja gift counter

Honden
(main hall) / jinja gift counter

The jinja gift counter distributes items such as talismans and amulets.
This counter is only open on weekends and holidays.

Shintokuden Hall / bridal salon

Shintokuden Hall / bridal salon

The bridal salon can be used for meetings related to weddings, gokito, banquets, and so on. It is furnished with Okawa Kumiko wall coaster art along with sofas and tables made by artisans in Okawa, which is famous for furniture-making. The salon showcases the craftmanship of Okawa City in Fukuoka Prefecture, a tradition that goes back over 400 years. The Shintokuden Hall, where the salon is located, is decorated throughout with Fukuoka’s cultural assets, including Hakata-ori weaving, Koishiwara ware, and Yame washi paper art. Please feel free to stop by when visiting Kego Shrine.

Mikoshi display

Mikoshi display

Five mikoshi (portable shrines) that appear in the Gekka-sai (Moon and Flower Festival) are on display.
Children selected from each region ride in the mikoshi, portraying Princess Kaguya and the noblemen. They parade through Tenjin and surrounding areas, accompanied by participants dressed in Heian-era costumes.
The roofs of the mikoshi are decorated with treasures that Princess Kaguya is said to have requested of the noblemen.

Sacred tree

Sacred tree

This large camphor tree is said to be over 300 years old.
It stands tall within the shrine grounds, and even after so many years continues to grow lush and green, while keeping watch over visitors. Its powerful appearance, brimming with vitality, is one of the most striking sights for visitors to the shrine.