A Day Trip to Hakata to refresh your mind and body: 3 spots relieving your fatigue with Japanese culture

The year is fast drawing to a close, and most of people may be feeling their mind and body are tired. Then, why not detox your mind and body through traveling? This time, we selected 3 spots, which relieve your fatigue through Japanese culture, at the heart of Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture under the theme of ‘Detox Trip.’ By experiencing hand-copying sutra at a Japanese important cultural property, savoring Buddhist vegetarian meal at a restaurant listed on Michelin Guide and visiting a bar run by monks, let’s create emotional and physical leeway in your life!

All of them are located within walking distance from Canal City Fukuoka Washington Hotel, so this course is also perfect for a day trip.

Experiencing hand-copying sutra at Japan’s oldest Zen Buddhist temple －”Shofukuji Temple”

“Shofukuji Temple (聖福寺)” is surrounded by rich nature and has a dignified and sacred atmosphere although it’s located in the heart of Hakata City. Built in 1195, this temple is the first Zen temple in Japan. In the spacious precincts registered as a national important cultural property, there are many attractions such as ‘Kaizando Hall (開山堂)’ where the statue of its founder is enshrined and ‘Hakata Fence (博多塀)’ into which stones and roof tiles are embedded. Above all, pay attention to the two-story ‘Sanmon Gate (山門)’ that towers majestically. The signboard saying ‘扶桑最初禅窟 (Fusosaishozenkutsu, Japan’s first Zen Temple)’ was given by Gotoba who was emperor from the late 1100s to early 1200s. After strolling around the precincts and worshiping, challenge hand-copying sutras! It seems that carefully copying the sutras one by one makes us face ourselves and keep our mind in good condition.

Opening Hours	7:00AM – 5:00PM *Reception time of hand-copying sutras 8:00AM – 3:30PM
Address	6-1 Gokusho-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	A 15-minute walk from Canal City Fukuoka Washington Hotel
URL	http://shofukuji.or.jp/wp/

Savoring Buddhist vegetarian meal with the artistic presentation and elegant flavor －Two-Michelin-starred restaurant “Sagano”

Reference from Sagano Official Website

Head to “Sagano (料亭 嵯峨野)” for having lunch! Opened in 1967, this long-established Japanese restaurant had two-stars in Michelin Guide Fukuoka 2019. Its building is the style of a Japanese tea ceremony building and surrounded by high walls. Apparently, it was designed by Living National Treasure potter and Kumamoto’s metal craftsman, doll maker and so on. In the restaurant with an elegant ambiance, they offer Japanese cuisines that use local seasonal ingredients and express the changing seasons with plates and presentations. Our recommendation is ‘Buddhist vegetarian meal.’ There are two types of lunch courses, and even though it’s a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, you can order it for 7,000 yen or 10,000 yen. You’re sure to be impressed by delicate presentations like artwork and gentle tastes bringing out the flavor of ingredients. Please thoroughly enjoy the delicious dishes that are full of the spirit of Japanese hospitality.

Opening Hours	11:00AM – 10:00PM　Irregular Holidays (only Sunday) *Reservation is required.
Address	2-21-19 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	A 7-minute walk from Canal City Fukuoka Washington Hotel
URL	https://www.hakata-sagano.com/english/

Getting some advice about your life from monks while drinking their original cocktails -“Bozu Bar Hakata”

Reference from FUKUOKA NOW “坊主バー博多“

To our surprise, “Bozu Bar Hakata” is run by monks. The gentle incense scent is wafting in the space colored in vermilion. It should make you feel as if you’re invited to a world away from the world. When you sit on a counter seat, a monk speaks to you. Let’s talk about what you want them to listen such as worries about work and love. They teach you Budda’s words that will move your heart. Anyway, there are 150 types of booze. We recommend you order their original cocktails produced by a monk who has traveled to 53 countries around the world. In addition, they also offer various Japanese food including miso rice balls and Japanese sweets.

Opening Hours	20:00PM – 1:00PM (Sunday 8:00PM – 11:00PM)　Closed on Monday and Thursday
Address	3F, 5-4-23 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	A 15-minute walk from Canal City Fukuoka Washington Hotel
URL	https://vowzbar-hakata.jimdofree.com/