Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

太宰府天満宮

Main shrine of Tenmangu, where Sugawara Michizane, god of learning, is enshrined.

写真：太宰府市
写真：太宰府天満宮
写真：太宰府市
写真：太宰府市
写真：太宰府市
写真：太宰府市
写真：太宰府市
写真：太宰府市
写真：太宰府市
写真：太宰府市

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Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the God of Learning. This shrine is the leading shrine of some 12,000 Tenmangu shrines around Japan, and attracts worshippers from around Japan and worldwide as one of the largest shrines in Kyushu.
The grounds are populated by several deeply historical structures, including the vermillion main shrine and the surrounding gardens, Tenkai Inari Shrine, Homotsuden (treasure house) and the Kanko Historical Museum. There are natural monuments like Hirohachishanoki and camphor trees, and gorgeous blooms of plum and iris depending on the season. Michizane had a particular affection for plum blossoms. Given that the emblem of Tenmangu is an image of a plum blossom, the plum blossom season is a special time of year here. One sacred plum tree, known as Tobi-ume, stands directly to the right of the main shrine. Legend has it that after Michizane left Kyoto, the tree yearned so much for him that it uprooted itself one night and flew to Dazaifu Tenmangu.
Tenmangu is a shrine with 1100 years of history, where festivals and events are held throughout the calendar and boasting a panoply of sights.

Basic Information

Address (Japanese)	818-0117　福岡県太宰府市宰府4-7-1　太宰府天満宮社務所
Address	4-7-1 Zaifu, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Office
Telephone Number	092-922-8225（問い合わせ対応時間／9:00～17:00）
Fax Number	092-921-1010
Open	Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Opening times. 6:30am-7:00pm (varies according to season and facility) New Year opening and closing times (31 Dec - 4 Jan) The gates open at 6:30 on 31 December and 24 hours on the three New Year's days. The gates close on the evening of 4 January, depending on the number of worshippers. Prayers are accepted from around 8:45am until around 5:00pm. Treasure House and Suga Lord History Museum 9:00am-4:30pm (admission until 4:00pm).
Closed	Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. None The Treasure House Mondays (open if Monday is a public holiday) Suga-ko History Museum Tue, Wed
Price	The Treasure House General 500 yen University and high school students 200 yen Junior high school and primary schools students: 100 yen Suga History Museum General 200 yen University and high school students: 150 yen Junior high school and primary schools students: 100 yen
Car Park	Parking available in the vicinity (charges apply).
Access	5 mins walk from Nishitetsu "Dazaifu Station". Approximately 20 minutes from the Dazaifu IC and Chikushino IC of the Kyushu Expressway.
Website	https://www.okinoshima-heritage.jp/en/ https://www.facebook.com/dazaifutenmangu.official https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9CriS48Dlc_6WSB1I5J12CQ
Remarks	Accessible / wheelchair-accessible toilets

＊Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.

thing to note

main shrine

The building was rebuilt and donated by Takakage Kobayakawa in 1591. It is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. It has a 5-ken Ryoryu-zukuri style with a cypress bark roof, a porte-cochere on both sides, and a kara-hafu style one-ken mukou (a protruding part for worship) in the front. Even after more than 400 years since its construction, it still retains the grandeur and splendor of Momoyama-era architecture.

The main hall will be undergoing renovation for about three years from May 2023. (The temporary hall is scheduled to be constructed from February to May 2023.)
(shrine) sanctuary

It houses about 50,000 cultural properties, including the sword associated with Michizane, the Kitano Tenjin Emaki, the national treasure "Kan'en", arts and crafts, and old documents.
The current building was completely reconstructed in 1992 to commemorate the 1090th anniversary of Lord Suga's death. A three-panel multi-vision screen at the entrance of the exhibition hall shows videos related to the origins of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and the history of Tenjin worship. Special exhibitions are held several times a year (please inquire for details).

Barrier-free/wheelchair rental, slopes, guide dogs allowed, discounts for disabled visitors (half price)
Suga Historical Museum

A diorama of Hakata dolls introduces the life of Sugawara Michizane, a man of exceptional talent who gained the trust of the people. The life of Michizane is depicted in 16 scenes using Hakata dolls (Hakata dolls with costumes), which illustrate the character of Michizane during his lifetime. The museum also introduces the annual Tenmangu rituals and ceremonies with video and photographs in an easy-to-understand manner.
first shrine visit of New Year

The New Year begins with the budding of Tobi-ume. The first three days of the year see large numbers of worshippers from near and far arriving to pray to “Tenjin-sama” for a happy year to come.

Precincts surrounded by rich nature

The precincts of the shrine are decorated with a variety of plants in each season. The beautiful seasonal changes are one of the main attractions of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
The blooming time is subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. Please check before visiting.

irises

In the iris pond garden in the east part of the grounds, 30,000 irises of about 55 species bloom beautifully, heralding the arrival of the sixth month of the year. The white, pale purple, and purple flowers reflected on the surface of the water are an enchanting sight to behold.
(Best viewing: early to mid-June)
Ume (plum) grove and camphor tree forest

The grounds are home to the Tenjin no Mori forest, which boasts two trees that are National Natural Monuments and 49 camphors that are registered natural monuments of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Not to be missed are “Okusu,” the venerable tree standing in front of the Seishinkan that is likely to be over 1,500 years of age and the giant “Meotogusu” pair standing behind the main shrine.
(Best viewing: mid-April to late May)
Both the camphor forest and plum wood were cited on a list of Japan’s top 100 fragrant places. The scents can be enjoyed from January to the end of May.
plum blossom design

The shrine grounds is one of the most famous plum-viewing spots in Japan. In addition to the sacred tree Tobi-ume, there are around 6,000 white and red-blooming plum trees, of some 200 varieties. The diverse varieties all blossom at different times, creating a plum scent that envelops the entire shrine grounds.
(Best viewing: late January to early March)
In early March, a “winding stream party” is held under the full bloom of the plum trees. Enjoy its elegant scenes straight out of a Heian period scroll painting.