Worshiped as a god battling evil and bringing good fortune
Hakozaki Shrine, which is located in central Fukuoka City, is considered to be one of the three great Hachiman shrines in Japan alongside Usa-jingu Shrine in Oita Prefecture and Kyoto’s Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine, and is also known as Hakozaki Hachiman-gu Shrine. There are various theories regarding its construction, but one story says that in the year 921, Emperor Daigo had the main building built according to an oracle. After its construction, it became venerated as a place of prayer and it also played an important role as a juncture for overseas exchange. During the Mongol invasions in the Kamakura Era, the Japanese overcame incredible odds in driving off the invaders through the arrival of a divine wind (kamikaze) in Hakata Bay, thanks to the prayers of a retired Emperor which brought fame to the shrine as a god to ward off evil and bring in good fortune. Since then, worshippers have visited Hakozaki Shrine as a deity of good fighting evil and as a protector of those traveling on the sea. Every year, professional baseball teams and local professional sports organizations have prayed at the shrine for victory.
The power spot and other highlights of Hakozaki Shrine
The sacred tree, Hakomatsu, is a pine that is protected by the vermilion fence surrounding the shrine, and when the oldest Emperor of Japan, Ojin, was born, his placenta was placed in a box (hako) and buried in the ground with Hakomatsu being planted there to signify that spot which gave rise to the name Hakozaki (box cape). The grounds of the shrine have the sand of Hakozaki Beach strewn all over and supposedly faces can be seen from the surface through the unique rocks which has earned them the name of Wakide Ishi (Gushing Rocks). As a place of extraordinary natural phenomena since ancient times, it is said that if these rocks are stroked, then good fortune will come forth. In June, the hydrangea garden on the grounds provides 3500 blossoms, and the Japanese pond garden, Hanateien, has flowers blossoming all throughout the year and is an enjoyable place for a stroll. Also, the shrine is also known as the site of the Houjouya, one of the three big festivals in Hakata which annually attracts a million visitors.