Tocho-ji Temple
A sacred Heian-era temple in Fukuoka, home to a colossal wooden Buddha and a unique 'hell and pure realms' art installation.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Quieter, more peaceful atmosphere
Tocho-ji Temple
Best Time
Quieter, more peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A sacred Heian-era temple in Fukuoka, home to a colossal wooden Buddha and a unique 'hell and pure realms' art installation.
"A peaceful temple with a giant wooden Buddha and a surprisingly intense art exhibit."
🤫 No Photos of Buddha
Photography of the main wooden Buddha is not allowed inside the hall . Respect the sacredness of the space.
🙏 Offerings & Blessings
You can offer candles and incense on the first floor for a small donation. Touch the mala beads for a blessing .
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Great Buddha
Second Floor Main Hall
A colossal wooden Buddha statue, 10 meters high, crafted over four years. Its presence is deeply moving.
Illustrations of Realms
Base of the Great Buddha statue
An immersive art installation depicting hell and pure realms through ancient Buddhist scrolls and a dark-room experience.
Mala Beads for Blessing
Shrine beside the main temple
Large mala beads are available to touch for a blessing, offering a tactile spiritual experience.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Respectful Visits
Timing Your Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🤫 No Photos of Buddha
Photography of the main wooden Buddha is not allowed inside the hall. Respect the sacredness of the space.
🙏 Offerings & Blessings
You can offer candles and incense on the first floor for a small donation. Touch the mala beads for a blessing.
Visiting Fukuoka for 2 1/2 Days - Seeking Advice & Recos
💰 Affordable Entry
Access to the second-floor hall with the Buddha is very reasonably priced at 50 yen.
🚶♀️ Peaceful Escape
A serene temple in the city center, offering a quiet respite from busier tourist spots.
Tochoji Temple pagoda in Fukuoka
Tips
from all over the internet
🤫 No Photos of Buddha
Photography of the main wooden Buddha is not allowed inside the hall. Respect the sacredness of the space.
🙏 Offerings & Blessings
You can offer candles and incense on the first floor for a small donation. Touch the mala beads for a blessing.
💰 Affordable Entry
Access to the second-floor hall with the Buddha is very reasonably priced at 50 yen.
🚶♀️ Peaceful Escape
A serene temple in the city center, offering a quiet respite from busier tourist spots.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tocho-ji Temple is praised for its peaceful atmosphere and the awe-inspiring Great Wooden Buddha statue. Visitors appreciate the affordable entry fee and the unique 'hell and pure realms' exhibit. However, the strict no-photography rule for the main Buddha can be a drawback for some.
"This is a very sacred Buddhist temple with a Buddha on second floor. If you are Buddhist it is highly recommend. The exhibit underneath the statue was the first I had experienced. The shrine at the side of the main temple has big mala beads which you can touch for blessing."
Quincy Lui
"A nice temple with a peaceful atmosphere. Candles and incense can be offered on the first floor main hall for a small offering. There’s a big and impressive wooden Buddha statue on the second floor. There’s also a hallway with paintings to illustrate the hell and pure realms at the base of the statue. Entrance fee to the second storey hall is reasonable at 50 yen."
Chern Kiat Meng and Chern Lieh Yen
"After spending the day walking around crowded Dazaifu I came here by chance about 4pm. It was quiet. Personally i found this temple more impressive than the Dazaifu shrine. There is a giant indoor Buddha and behind it an art installation depicting hell using an old Buddhist scroll with progressively worse depictions of hell and a dark-room which was actually pretty scary. By chance there was a wedding ceremony in the main hall when I was there. They don’t allow photos of the Buddha or main hall."
Derek OKeeffe
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Tocho-ji Temple is conveniently located in the city center of Fukuoka. It's easily accessible by public transport. From Hakata Station, it's a short walk, making it a great option for visitors staying in the Hakata area. You can also use local buses.
Yes, Tocho-ji Temple is centrally located and can be easily combined with visits to other Fukuoka attractions. It's a good contrast to more crowded sites like Dazaifu Shrine.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the temple grounds is generally free. However, there is a small, affordable fee of 50 yen to enter the second-floor hall where the Great Buddha statue is housed.
Tocho-ji Temple is typically open daily. While specific hours can vary, many visitors find the late afternoon, around 4 PM, to be a good time to visit for a more peaceful experience. It's advisable to check the most current hours before your visit.
Photography of the large wooden Buddha statue inside the second-floor hall is strictly prohibited. However, you are generally allowed to take photos of the goshuin (temple seals) and the exterior grounds.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The undisputed main attraction is the massive, 10-meter-high wooden Buddha statue housed on the second floor of the main hall. It's a significant Heian-era artwork.
Behind the Great Buddha, there's a unique and somewhat eerie art installation that illustrates Buddhist concepts of hell and pure realms using old scrolls and a dark-room effect.
Yes, visitors can touch the large mala beads located at the shrine beside the main temple for a blessing.
Absolutely. Many visitors describe the temple as peaceful and solemn, especially when visited later in the day or on weekdays, offering a calm contrast to busier tourist spots.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Tocho-ji Temple is located in a central area of Fukuoka, close to Hakata Station and Canal City Hakata. These areas offer a wide variety of dining options, from local ramen to international cuisine.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography of the Great Wooden Buddha inside the main hall is not permitted. However, you can capture images of the temple grounds, the exterior, and the goshuin (temple seals).
While the Buddha itself is off-limits for photos, the temple's architecture, the serene grounds, and the unique mala beads offer good photographic opportunities. The contrast between the solemnity of the temple and the surrounding city can also be striking.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Keep in mind that photography of the Buddha is prohibited, which might be a point of contention for younger visitors accustomed to taking pictures. However, the opportunity to touch the large mala beads for a blessing offers a simple, interactive spiritual element. The temple's peaceful atmosphere can also provide a calm break from more stimulating activities, making it a worthwhile stop for a brief cultural immersion.
🧘 Solo Travelers & Spiritual Seekers
Visitors often find the temple to be a quiet escape, especially when visited in the late afternoon or on weekdays.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Significance of the Great Buddha
This statue is not just an artistic masterpiece but also a focal point for spiritual contemplation. The atmosphere within the hall, despite the prohibition on photos, encourages a quiet reverence. It's a testament to the enduring craftsmanship and spiritual devotion of its creators, offering a tangible connection to Japan's rich Buddhist heritage.
Exploring the 'Hell and Pure Realms' Exhibit
This exhibit offers a different perspective on Buddhist art and philosophy, moving beyond static statues to a more immersive storytelling approach. It’s a chance to engage with traditional religious narratives in a contemporary, experiential way. The contrast between the serene Buddha above and the vivid depictions below creates a compelling duality within the temple's offerings.
Understanding Temple Etiquette
Remember that photography rules are in place for a reason, often to preserve the sanctity of religious artifacts or to ensure a peaceful environment for worshippers. While the large Buddha at Tocho-ji cannot be photographed,
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