What other travelers are saying about Tochoji Temple
Hidden among the tall building is this unassuming temple just off the Main Street in downtown Fukuoka city. The temple gets a lot of tourist traffic, so there is signage in both Japanese and English to help you get around. The main attraction here is the huge Buddha statue and the ‘journey’ from hell to heaven walking under the huge Buddha statue. The ground are beautiful to just stroll, and there’s a beautifully painted pagoda in the corner of the temple’s grounds. As with most temples, there are charms, and since photography of the Buddha statue is not allowed, there are also picture postcards for you to take home a memory of your visit. If temples interest you at all, you should definitely pay this one a visit.
Tochoji Temple is famous for its Great Buddha statue (Fukuoka Daibutsu), which is one of the largest seated wooden Buddha statues in Japan, standing at 10.8 meters tall.
Key attractions include the Great Buddha statue, the five-story pagoda, the ancient wooden statue of Kannon, and the impressive 1,000 Buddha statues.
The temple can be visited year-round, but it is particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season in spring and autumn when the leaves change color.
Tochoji Temple is easily accessible from Gion Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line, just a short walk from the station.
Visitors can participate in traditional Buddhist practices, such as offering incense, praying at the Great Buddha statue, and walking through the "hell and paradise" tunnel beneath the Great Buddha.
Photography is not allowed on the huge wooden Buddha statue inside the temple, but quietly praying before the Buddha is also a wonderful time for contemplation. The courtyard is small, and since it's plum blossom season, it's nice to take a walk around which will take about 15mins.
Home to Japan's largest seated wooden
Buddha (Daibutsu) — truly impressive and unique.
• Founded in 806 AD by Kükai (Kõbò Daishi), the founder of Shingon Buddhism.
• Very central and easy to visit, just a 5-7 minute walk from Hakata Station.
Highlights
• Massive indoor Buddha hall (you can go inside)
• Underground "dark corridor" representing the journey to enlightenment
• Calm atmosphere despite being in the city
Best choice if you want history + visual
impact + convenience.
A peaceful and historic gem in the heart of Fukuoka. Known for housing Japan’s largest wooden seated Buddha, the temple blends calm atmosphere with impressive craftsmanship. Stepping inside feels like stepping into another time—soft incense, quiet pathways, and intricate temple details. The hidden Kannon purification tunnel adds a unique, almost spiritual experience.
Its worth the visit. The experience was amazing and the big wooden Buddha was amazing to see and walk around it to see other paintings and hear the history of it. At one point it was pitch black and no light allowed to find your way out from under the big Buddha. Its well worth 100 yen. No photos allowed inside, its a very spiritual experience.
