Visiting Sofuku-ji, the Rinzai temple in Fukuoka

On December 21, I went to Sofuku-ji (崇福寺), a Rinzai temple in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka. The temple was founded by the monk Tan'e (湛慧) in Dazaifu in 1240, but was moved to its present location in 1600 after it becomes the Kuroda family temple.

The temple's main gate, used as the main entrance of Fukuoka Castle, was moved during the Taisho period.

The main hall. It is always close because of young monks living together.

The Asahi Jizo Hall (旭地蔵尊 Asahi-jizo-zon). It is said that Tan'e, the founder of Rinzai temple, dug a hole and hide there. He was missing and later found a dead body in a sitting position.