Things you should know about Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Fukuoka, Japan. It is a very traditional place where has been protected and admired by a lot of people not only from local but also other areas.
How To Access to Dazaifu Tenmangu
Hakata Airport to Dazaifu
Train
You can get a Metro Kuukou(Airport) Line to Tenjin station.
Then same way above from Tenjin Station / Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station.
Bus
You can find a shuttle bus between Hakata (+ Hakata Airport) and Dazaifu, which costs 500 yen and takes 30 minutes.
*you can go to Hakata Airport for International flights from Domestic by Airport shuttle bus for free.
What To See in Dazaifu Tenmangu
Omotesando
The street on the way to get the shrine is called “Omotesando” in general. And you can enjoy the street itself because there are a lot of stores lining up all the way to get Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine from Dazaifu Station. It is one of things that I enjoy.
Starbucks
You should check Starbucks which is designed by Kengo Kuma who is one of famous architect. He often use woods, and did it for this starbucks too. It’s beautiful outside, and also inside too. Check it out!
Umegae Mochi
There are many foods but I would recommend you to have “Umegae mochi” if you like Anko (Red bean paste). Outiside is Mochi, and there is anko paste inside, it’s good for a snack.
Information Center
After walking through Omotsando street, you can find this information center on your right side. You can get information for sightseeing and etc there.
Goshingyu – Cow
There is a story that a cow which carried a body of Michizane Sugawara stopped suddenly, and people thought that he wanted to stay there, and that is where Dazaifu Tenmangu is now.
It is said that you will be smarter if you stroke its head gently, or it will be better/healed if you stroke a part of body you are having problems, and so on.
Taiko Bashi Bridge and Shinji Ike Pond
There is a beautiful bridge over a pond named Shinji Ike, looks like Taiko (drum) since it is steep and round. After walking through this bridge, you can see the Torii Gate made by stone.
Kirin and Uso
You can find a statue of Kirin (Giraffe) and Uso (Bullfinch). In this case, Kirin means a bit different than “Giraffe”, since this Kirin is an imaginary animal that is strong
This Kirin was loved by Thomas Blake Glover (1838 – 1911) who was a British merchant, he often visited Dazaifu Tenmangu to look at this Kirin. And he named a beer company that he got from his friend a “Kirin” Beer, you know it is “that” Kirin beer now.
Ishi Torii Gate
It is said that it is the oldest Torii Gate in Kyushu area, and it is guessed to be built around 700 years ago. It has been here for 700 years which you’d feel its long history.
Temizuya
Temizuya is a place where you wash your hands and mouth. And there is a statue of Shinki which is “God” + “Turtle”.
Check it out when you go wash your hands and mouth.
Ume
There are a lot of trees there since Michizane Sugawara adored Ume. It blooms a bit before cherry blossoms which means around early March. (It depends on each year, of course)
It is very beautiful 😉
Tips For When You Visit Dazaifu
I would like to encourage you to get Goshuin which is a kind of stamp that prove your visiting.
Goshuin
At Dazaifu Tenmangu, the price for Goshuin is how much you want to pay. It is generally 300 yen to 500 yen,
Dazaifu Travel Guide
There are other things to enjoy in Dazaifu!
Hop you get to know about Dazaifu Tenmangu more through this guide and these tips!
