Chikugo Yoshii White-Walled Townscape
A post town where time stands still. Stroll through the timeless elegance of Chikugo.
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Ebisu-cho Coffee is a cozy café located in Ukiha City, Fukuoka, operating within a 140-year-old historical building. Its traditional white-walled townscape setting blends beautifully into the surrounding architecture and offers travelers a peaceful moment accompanied by a cup of coffee.
About: Ukiha Inari Shrine
With more than 90 vermilion torii gates lined up along the mountainside and a spectacular view spreading out below from the upper grounds, Ukiha Inari Shrine—located within Jogahana Park in Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture—is a well-known sightseeing spot celebrated for both its dramatic torii gates and panoramic scenery. The shrine is relatively new: it was founded in 1957 (Showa 32) through donations and cooperation from local community groups, and was officially recognized as a religious corporation the following year.
The shrine enshrines deities divided from Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. The three main deities are Inadama-no-Okami, Oyamagui-no-Kami, and Sugawara no Michizane. These gods are widely worshipped for blessings such as good harvests, success in business, good fortune, and protection from misfortune, and many visitors also come to pray for academic success and good health.
Within the shrine grounds, around 100 stone monuments engraved with haiku poems donated by poetry enthusiasts line the area. After climbing the main stone steps and continuing a little further uphill, visitors reach “Haiku Mountain,”which also offers beautiful views. At the inner sanctuary, an ancient sacred rock site (iwakura) is enshrined, and beneath a massive boulder stands Matsuo Tenjin.
Highlights
The greatest highlight of Ukiha Inari Shrine is undoubtedly the approach lined with vermilion torii gates stretching across the mountainside. Along approximately 300 stone steps, more than 90 red torii gates stand in a row, and visitors pass through them one by one as they make their way to the top. The contrast between the red torii gates, the blue sky, and the lush green Chikugo Plain below creates a striking and photogenic scene, making the shrine a popular Instagram-worthy spot. In spring, cherry blossoms decorate the torii gates, while in autumn the mountains below are colored with fall foliage, creating a romantic atmosphere. The shrine is also known for its beautiful sunsets and nighttime illuminations, which add a magical quality to the scenery.
Seasonal events are held throughout the year, including New Year ceremonies from January 1 to 3, the Hatsu-uma Festival in February, and the Spring Festival on April 6, during which visitors pray for prosperity, good harvests, and long life. Although the shrine is usually unstaffed, goshuin (shrine stamps) are available either at the shrine itself or at the designated counter on the second floor of Sunpit Value Ukiha, a supermarket in town. (Pre-written stamps cost 300 yen, and handwritten stamps cost 500 yen.)
Receiving a goshuin makes a memorable keepsake of your visit!
When visiting the shrine, wear comfortable walking shoes and take your time climbing the stone steps while passing through the torii gates. If you are not confident about climbing all the stairs, you can drive up to the First Parking Area and climb only a few dozen steps from there. From the shrine building at the top, a 360-degree panoramic view opens up, allowing you to see across Ukiha City, Harazuru Onsen, and the Chikugo River far into the distance. Sitting on one of the benches and enjoying the view is a perfect way to forget everyday fatigue.The shrine grounds are surrounded by greenery and a deep sense of calm. Taking a quiet walk while listening to birdsong and the sound of leaves swaying in the wind is also highly recommended.
Ukiha Inari Shrine is known as a cherry blossom spot, and the scenery created by vermilion torii gates and fully blooming cherry trees is especially impressive. Even after the peak bloom, the sight of petals gently falling is said to be beautifully fleeting. Just a five-minute drive from the shrine, the Nagarekawa Cherry Blossom Avenue stretches for about 2 kilometers, and the Nagarekawa Sakura Festival is held there each spring. Visiting both locations together is highly recommended.
The shrine is also popular as a night view spot, so if you visit in summer, coming around sunset or during the illuminated hours is ideal. When autumn leaves color the surrounding mountains, visitors can enjoy a beautiful contrast between the torii gates and fall foliage.
From Ukiha Station on the JR Kyudai Main Line, the shrine is about a 30-minute walk, making it pleasant to visit at a relaxed pace. Visitors arriving by car can use the parking area located down a narrow road to the right just before the torii gates. Since taxis are not always available at Ukiha Station, it is advisable to reserve one in advance if you plan to use a taxi.
After visiting the shrine, take time to explore Ukiha City. Known as the “Fruit Kingdom,” the area offers fruit picking throughout the year, including strawberries, peaches, and grapes. In the city center, the Chikugo Yoshii Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (White-Walled Townscape) features around 250 historic merchant houses built in the Edo period, creating a nostalgic streetscape. Nearby attractions include Tsuzura Rice Terraces, selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Rice Terraces, and Shimizu Spring, chosen as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Waters. There are also hot spring areas such as Chikugogawa Onsen and Yoshii Onsen nearby, where you can relax and soothe tired legs after climbing the shrine’s steps.
OsakiYohei
Wagashi Budouya
Location and Official Website
Name: Ukiha Inari Shrine
Address: 1513-9 Nagarekawa, Ukiha-machi, Ukiha City, Fukuoka 839-1411, Japan
Opening Hours / Closed Days: Open for worship at all times (open year-round)
Note: The approach includes many stone steps, so please wear suitable footwear. The surrounding area is designated as a natural landscape preservation zone—please take your trash home and observe proper manners during your visit.
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