Dazaifu

Welcome to Dazaifu, a site of immense historical and spiritual significance located just half an hour from the bustling city of Fukuoka. As you step off the train at Dazaifu Station, you are entering a region that was once the…

The 'Sando,' or the approach to the shrine, is a vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare that serves as a transition from the secular world to the sacred. Stretching from the station to the shrine's first Tory gate, this street is lined…

Upon entering the shrine grounds, you will encounter the 'Shinji-ike' pond, which is shaped like the Japanese kanji character for 'kokoro,' meaning heart or spirit. Crossing this pond are three distinct red-arched bridges, known…

Before reaching the main hall, you will encounter several bronze statues of seated oxen, known as 'Nade-ushi' or 'rubbing cows.' The ox is the primary messenger of the deity Tenjin. This association stems from several legends: it…

The 'Honden,' or Main Hall, is the architectural and spiritual epicenter of Dazaifu Tenmangu. The current structure, characterized by its magnificent thatched roof and intricate carvings, dates back to 1591, having been rebuilt…

Behind the main hall, the landscape opens up into extensive plum groves, which are the pride of Dazaifu. With approximately 200 species and 6,000 trees, the blossoms create a sea of white and pink in the early spring. …

Our journey through Dazaifu concludes where it began, at the threshold between the sacred and the everyday. We have walked the path of the scholar-official Sugawara no Michizane, from his tragic exile to his eternal residence as…