Tazaifu Tenmangu is…
“Dazaifu Tenmangu” is one of the best tourist spot in Fukuoka. Nearly 20 million people visits here, wishing for academic success, warding off evil, and wishing for family safety. Sugawarano Michizane, enshrined here, was a politician and a top scholar in Heian period. That is why he is known as the god of learning “Tenjinsama”. There are many people who visit here for New Year and wishing for passing entrance exams.

The life of Sugawarano Michizane

Michizane was born in 845. He started writing tanka at 5 and Chinese poems at 11 so he was called a child prodigy. In early Heian Period, he was deeply trusted by the emperor of the time and inaugurated as the Minister of the Right. Due to the scheme of the Minister of the Left, he was falsely charged for a crime and demoted to Dazaifu. It was said that he became a subject of jealousy because of his unusual promotion. After 2 years (903), he passed away without proven innocent. When the ox carriage was pulling the body of Michizane, the ox suddenly laid down and unable to move. Disciple of Michizane said “It is the will of Michizane” and buried his body there. After his death, he restored his reputation and enshrined as Tenmandaijizai Tenjin. What was build on 919 on his grave is said to be the origin of Dazaifu Tenmangu. Then, it started to be called “Tenjin-sama” and worshiped by people.

Let’s visit Tenjin-sama!!

Cleanse your body and soul before visiting. There is “Temizusha” next to the road leading to the main shrine. Pour water with a dipper and wash your left hand first. Next switch the dipper to the left hand and wash the right hand. Then, switch the pour the water in your left hand and put it in your mouth. Do not put your mouth on the dipper or drink the water. At last, wash your left hand with the leftover water. After cleansing your body and soul, go to “Goshinzen (the main shrine). After bowing lightly, 2 bows, 2 claps, and 1 bow. Put some offering money, bow twice, clap twice, make a wish or show your appreciation while keeping your hands together. Then bow once at the end.

Things to see in the shrine

There are many things to see other than the thatched roofed shrine. “Tobiume” on the right is “Tobiume”, a sacred tree, which has the legend that it flew from Kyoto overnight when Michizane was demoted to Dazaifu. It blooms beautiful flowers in late January to early February.

“Romon (two-storied gate) stands with dignity at the entrance of the main shrine. It is a multi-layered building with a gabled and double gate with roofing of cypress bark shingles.

＜One Point Info＞　Flowers blooming in the shrine

“Dazaifu Tenmangu” is colored with seasonal flowers. You may be able to discover new attractiveness of Tenmangu if you visit in that season.

In February and March, 6000 plum trees in 200 different kinds blooms in the shrine and it is covered with elegant scent.

Early to mid-June is the season for “Iris”. 30000 irises in purple, white, and light purple in 40 different kinds bloom all at once. They light up the flowers at night when it is blooming, so you can see a fantastic scenery with iris. 

In association with Michizane who loved chrysanthemum, “chrysanthemum show” on November every year. 1500 pots of chrysanthemum grown by enthusiast are displayed.


■Dazaifu Tenmangu

■Gate open
6:00 from spring equinox to fall equinox
6:30 from fall equinox to spring equinox

■Gate closure
19:00 in April, May, September, October, and November
19:30 in June, July, and August
18:30 in December, January, February, and March

※ Gate opens on December 31st. Gate open 24 hours on January 1st to 3rd.

●Contact： Dazaifu Tenmangu Office
●Address：4 Chome-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu-shi, Fukuoka
●TEL：092-922-8225（9:00～17:00）
●URL：http://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/