Dazaifu

Dazaifu is a historic city in central Fukuoka Prefecture, located only 10 kilometers away from the downtown of Fukuoka City. Dazaifu was once the political and military center of the Kyushu region, and in 901 A.D., Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真) was exiled here. Dazaifu is famous for its historical sights, including the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

Sugawara no Michizane’s Exile

Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of scholarship in Japan, was exiled to Dazaifu in 901 AD, where he died two years later. His descendants built a shrine over his grave, which is the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine today. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the main shrine of 12,000 Tenmangu (天満宮) and Tenjinsha (天神社) Shrines in Japan. The story of Sugawara no Michizane’s life is told in the Kanko Historical Museum by Hakata dolls.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Where Sugawara Michizane Perished

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is a shrine built on the site of Sugawara no Michizane's tomb. Together with Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, it is the head shrine of more than 10,000 Tenmangu shrines in Japan. There are 6,000 plum trees planted in Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, and the total number of visitors to the shrine exceeds 10 million every year.

Kanko Historical Museum

An Overview of Sugawara's Life

The Kanko Historical Museum is located behind the main hall of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and depicts the life of Sugawara no Michizane through sixteen scenes built by Hakata dolls. The museum also displays hundreds of statues of Sugawara no Michizane collected from all over Japan, showing the popularity of the Tenjin Faith in Japan.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando

World of Umegae Mochi Cakes

The Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando Shopping Street is about 200 meters long, with stores lining both sides of the road and three stone toriis erected along the way. Because the god of academics, Sugawara no Michizane, was fond of plum blossoms, so the street is filled with stores selling plum blossom prints and specialty products.