- Address: Japan, 818-0117 Fukuoka Prefecture, Dazaifu, Saifu, 4 Chome-7
- Contact phone: +81 92-922-8225
- Website: dazaifutenmangu.or.jp
- Area of the sanctuary: 12 sq. M. km
Dazayfu Tammangu is a temple complex with a rich history, interesting historical exhibits and a special atmosphere that attracts students who ask for protection from the grave of the scientist Mitizane and numerous travelers in Japan .
Location:
The Sanctuary of Dazaifu Tammangu is located in the small town of Dazaifu on the outskirts of Fukuoka metropolitan area.
History of creation
The temple was built over the grave of the well-known poet, scientist and politician Sugawara Mitizane (845-903), who lived in the Heian period, and after his death he was revered by all students and schoolchildren as a patron of education. The sanctuary occupies a significant territory (more than 12 square kilometers) and consists of several structures. One of the halls - Hondaen - was erected in 905, 2 years after the death of Mitizane. A few more objects were built in 919, but later, during the Civil War, they were destroyed. Today's buildings are mostly dated in 1591 and constitute an important part of the cultural heritage of Japan.
What is interesting about the temple of Dazaifu Tammangu?
In addition to several halls of the sanctuary, the temple complex also includes a treasure chest, 2 ponds and a bridge. In the treasury of Homotzu-den, the ancient artifacts of the Heian and Edo times, which are of historical significance for Dazaifu Tammangu, are kept.
On the territory of the sanctuary, about 6 thousand people grow. Plum trees, which were very fond of Mitizane. They blossom here before everyone else, and on February 24-25 this year there is a festival dedicated to flowering plums. According to a local legend, plum trees came to Dazaifu from Kyoto after the teacher Mitizane. Along the road to the temple you can see the tea houses and buy them wonderful rice cakes "umegee-moti."
The temple of Dazaifu Tammangu is also known for the fact that on the eve of graduation and entrance examinations thousands of schoolchildren and students flock to him with requests for help in the surrender of teaching subjects.
In addition, hundreds of ceremonies are held annually in the sanctuary. One of the most important events is the festival "Dzinkosiki-taysai". The Onobori ceremony was recognized as a national intangible heritage. Since October 2005, next to Dazaifu Tammangu, the 4th national museum in the country - the National Museum of Kyushu, which has received 3 stars from the Michelin guide - was opened.
How to get there?
To visit the Shinto shrine of Dazaifu Tammangu, you can use air travel or rail routes through Tokyo or Osaka . If you are traveling from the capital by plane, you need to fly from Hanneda International Airport to Fukuoka airport (journey time is 1 hour 45 minutes), and then take the metro to Hakata station (5 minutes on the way). The train from Tokyo to Hakata station on the JR Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen line goes about 5 hours. After that, it will take another 30 minutes to go from Hakata station via Tendzin and Fukuoku to Dazaifu stop.
For tourists traveling from Osaka, it is convenient to fly from Itami International Airport to Fukuoka Airport (it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes) and routes to Shinkansen from Sin-Osaka Station to Hakata.