Enjoy History, Nature, and Art! A Visitor's Guide to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Sugawara no Michizane, the enshrined deity of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, passed away at the age of 59.
Sugawara no Michizane was a nobleman and politician of the Heian period (794–1185).
He excelled not only in politics but also in scholarship, rose to prominence in an exceptional way, and left behind many achievements.
According to his final wishes, his remains were buried in Dazaifu, and a mausoleum called a shibyo was built there.
A shibyo is a building constructed to enshrine Sugawara no Michizane, essentially a tomb.
Sugawara no Michizane died in 903, and his burial at the site where the main sanctuary now stands marked the founding of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
Later, in 905, the shibyo was built there.
After that, in 919, the shrine buildings were constructed by imperial order of Emperor Daigo.

Shinji-ike Pond is said to have been named because the curves along its shore and its small island resemble the cursive form of the character for “heart.”
Three bridges span Shinji-ike Pond: two drum bridges and one flat bridge.
A drum bridge is an arched bridge shaped like a drum, and is a distinctive style found in Japan and China.
The three bridges represent the past, present, and future, expressing the Buddhist concept of the three ages in a single thought.
Crossing these bridges is also said to purify worshippers before they pray.
The beautiful scenery, with vermilion structures standing out against the lush green trees, is not to be missed.

The Shrine Grounds Museum lets visitors see, enjoy, and learn about a variety of art within the grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning, culture, and the arts.
At the Dazaifu Tenmangu Treasure Hall, the base of the Shrine Grounds Museum, many important cultural properties are preserved and displayed, including the National Treasure Kannen, the Important Cultural Property Kenukigata Tachi sword, old documents, statues of Sugawara no Michizane, maps of the shrine grounds, ritual implements, and old books.

Built by Sugawara no Sukemasa, the great-grandson of Sugawara no Michizane, and later supported by a donation from Ishida Mitsunari after it was lost to fire, the Tower Gate has a long history.
The current structure was rebuilt in 1914.
The Tower Gate of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine has a rare design: from the drum bridge side, its roof appears to have two tiers, while from the main sanctuary side, it appears to have only one.
Like a torii gate, the Tower Gate serves as a boundary marking the entrance to a sacred space.
Its powerful and solemn atmosphere leaves a strong impression on visitors.

Josui was the name adopted by Kuroda Kanbei when he became a Buddhist monk.
Kuroda Kanbei, blessed with military talent, was also a close advisor to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
When he used this area as a temporary residence before the construction of Fukuoka Castle, he is said to have used water from this well for tea ceremony and other purposes.
Because he deeply revered Sugawara no Michizane, he also worked hard toward the restoration of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, and he is enshrined at this Josui Shrine.

There are 11 sacred ox statues within the grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, and it is said that stroking their heads grants wisdom.
It is also worth knowing that Sugawara no Michizane had a deep connection with oxen.
All of the sacred ox statues are depicted lying down, in the style known as gagyu.
It is said that when an ox was pulling Sugawara no Michizane’s remains, it lay down at a certain spot and would not move.
His disciples built his grave at that place, and later the main sanctuary was constructed there.
This is said to be the reason why the sacred ox statues within the grounds are all shown lying down.
Take a walk around the grounds while searching for the sacred ox statues in various places.

Starbucks Coffee Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando Store opened in 2011 right beside the torii gate facing the main approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
It is one of Starbucks’ Regional Landmark Stores, uniquely designed locations opened in symbolic places in each region to share the appeal of local culture with the world.
The distinctive store, featuring a wooden lattice structure inside and out, was designed by architect Kengo Kuma, known for works such as the Japan National Stadium.

Its specialty is Onigawara Monaka, filled with carefully cooked chunky red bean paste made from Tokachi azuki beans from Hokkaido and sandwiched in crisp monaka wafers baked from carefully selected glutinous rice from Saga Prefecture.
With its restrained sweetness, Onigawara Monaka is modeled after the onigawara roof tile, one of Dazaifu’s symbols, making it visually unique and popular as a souvenir from Dazaifu sightseeing.
Located along the approach about a 2-minute walk from Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, it is well worth stopping by during your visit.

This is the Dazaifu Sando branch of Ichiran, the famous tonkotsu ramen chain known for its flavor-concentrating booths, where you can enjoy your ramen without worrying about those around you.
Among Ichiran’s many locations in Japan and overseas as a specialty natural tonkotsu ramen chain, the Dazaifu Sando branch has drawn attention for serving “Pass Exam Ramen,” created to pray for the success of exam takers.

This is the Dazaifu branch of Fukuya, the original store of karashi mentaiko, which has now become one of Fukuoka’s signature specialties. In 1948, founder Toshio Kawahara created karashi mentaiko, and sales began the following year at a shop in Nakasu, marking the beginning of this famous food.
At Fukuya Dazaifu Store, located along the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, you can of course buy Fukuya’s mentaiko, and you can also enjoy mentaiko chazuke in the eat-in space inside the shop.

This popular local burger shop is located just off the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It originally opened as a karaage specialty shop, and now sells four kinds of burgers in addition to fried chicken.
Its specialty is the Dazaifu Burger, a local burger made with the shop’s homemade jidori fried chicken.
Topped with juicy fried chicken and tartar sauce, plus vegetables, it is a hearty and satisfying item.

Dazaifu, where the museum is located, was an important base in ancient Japanese history and a place that actively interacted with the wider world as the region overseeing Kyushu.
Against this background, the museum opened in 2005 as Japan’s fourth national museum, with the distinctive concept of viewing the formation of Japanese culture from an Asian historical perspective.
Its main feature is the large-scale Cultural Exchange Exhibition Room on the fourth floor, which introduces the history of cultural exchange between Japan and countries in Asia and Europe.

Kamado Shrine is a shrine with a history of more than 1,350 years.
It enshrines Tamayorihime no Mikoto and has long been worshipped as a deity of matchmaking.
It has also been revered as a deity for protection from misfortune and evil.
Located at the foot of Mount Homan, it is also known for beautiful seasonal scenery, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall.
At the summit of Mount Homan, which stands 829 meters above sea level, is the upper shrine of Kamado Shrine.
It takes Approx. 2 hours one way to reach it, and the mountain is popular with many hikers.

Located in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Tochoji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple said to have been the first temple founded by the great monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) after returning from his training in Tang China.
Its formal name is Tocho Mitsuji, a name given by Kukai with the wish that esoteric Buddhism would be passed down far to the east.
One of its main highlights is the wooden Great Buddha known as the Fukuoka Daibutsu.
Its height of 10.8 meters, inspired by the 108 worldly desires in Buddhism, makes it one of the largest wooden seated Buddha statues in Japan.
Behind it, an incredible 5,000 small Buddha statues are enshrined.
You should also try the “Hell and Paradise Tour” installed in the pedestal.