Top Attractions in Dazaifu for Sightseeing
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Dazaifu City is a town where the history of ancient Dazaifu and natural scenery live on, centered around Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, known as the deity of learning, culture, and the arts. The shrine grounds are home to about 6,000 plum trees, offering seasonal scenery such as plum blossoms in spring and autumn foliage later in the year. At the Kyushu National Museum, visitors can view permanent and special exhibitions based on the theme of cultural exchange. On the first floor, “Ajippa” offers hands-on exhibits where visitors can experience cultures from Asia, Europe, and other regions. The Dazaifu Government Office Ruins mark the site where Dazaifu, known as the “western capital,” was located from the 7th to the 12th century, making it a good area for walking among historic sites. Along the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, shops sell the local specialty umegae mochi, along with sweets, souvenirs, and café offerings, making it easy to stop by before or after worship. Mount Homan, which spans Dazaifu City and Chikushino City, is a sacred mountain with hiking routes where visitors can pray for safety at Kamado Shrine before beginning their climb. The appeal of Dazaifu City lies in the way visitors can enjoy historic shrines and temples, ancient ruins, museums, and mountain nature together.
Recommended Local Products and Traditional Crafts in Dazaifu
Umegae-mochi
Umegae Mochi is a grilled rice cake that has long been enjoyed along the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It is made by wrapping sweet red bean paste in a dough of glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice, then grilling it until fragrant. The outside has a crisp texture, while the inside is pleasantly chewy. One of the best ways to enjoy it is freshly grilled, eaten while strolling around the shrine area.
Explore Dazaifu: Top Spots and Must-Know Topic
Dazaifu Tenmangū
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the head shrine of Tenmangu shrines throughout Japan and enshrines Sugawara no Michizane. It is widely worshipped as a shrine dedicated to the deity of learning, culture, the arts, and protection from misfortune. The grounds are home to about 200 varieties and 6,000 plum trees, including the sacred “Tobiume” plum tree, and the shrine is known as a famous place to see plum blossoms in spring. Along the approach to the shrine, shops selling the local specialty umegae mochi and various souvenirs line the street, making it enjoyable to stroll before or after worship. Within the grounds, visitors can walk while viewing sights such as the arched bridges over Shinji Pond, the sacred ox statues associated with Sugawara no Michizane, and designs inspired by plum blossoms. By learning about the shrine’s history, festivals, and connection with plum blossoms before visiting, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation of the faith and culture unique to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
Kyushu National Museum
The Kyushu National Museum, located next to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, is Japan’s fourth national museum. It is known for exhibitions based on the theme of cultural exchange between Japan, Asia, and Europe. Its large kamaboko-shaped curved roof and glass exterior are also impressive architectural features. On the fourth floor, the Cultural Exchange Exhibition Room introduces the formation of Japanese culture from the Paleolithic period to the Edo period, organized into five themes from the perspective of cultural exchange. On the first floor, the hands-on exhibition room “Ajippa” offers displays and workshops where visitors can experience cultures from Asia, Europe, and other regions through the senses, making it an accessible and enjoyable learning space for families.
Komyōzen-ji Temple
Komyoji Temple, also known as Komyo Zenji Temple, is a Zen temple located next to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Its founding is said to date either to 1273 or 1326. During the Edo period, it was restored as the family temple for those who served Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and their families. The temple garden was created in 1957 by Mirei Shigemori. With its beautiful scenery of moss, white sand, and carefully arranged stones, it has also been affectionately known as the “Moss Temple.” In 2014, the garden was designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by Fukuoka Prefecture under the name “Komyoji Garden.” When walking around the Dazaifu Tenmangu area, visitors can appreciate the atmosphere of Dazaifu’s historic temple district through the temple’s exterior and the calm surroundings.
Dazaifu Government Office Ruins
The Dazaifu Government Office Ruins are a Special Historic Site of Japan located in Kanzeonji, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. From the late 7th century to the late 12th century, Dazaifu served as an administrative center overseeing Kyushu, while also playing an important role in western Japan’s defense and as a gateway for diplomacy. Today, the government office buildings no longer remain, but foundation stones from structures such as the main hall, middle gate, and south gate can still be seen. The site has been developed as a historic park where visitors can sense the scale of the former government complex. As you walk through the wide grassy grounds, you can trace the layout and atmosphere of this ancient administrative site. Nearby is the Dazaifu Exhibition Hall, where visitors can learn about the history and culture of Dazaifu through excavated remains, artifacts, and a reconstructed model of the government office.
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Hōman-gū Kamado Shrine
Homangu Kamado Shrine is located at the foot of Mount Homan in Uchiyama, Dazaifu City, and enshrines Tamayorihime no Mikoto as its main deity. Since ancient times, it has been worshipped as a shrine for matchmaking, protection from misfortune, and protection against unlucky directions, and many visitors come to pray for good relationships. The current main hall and worship hall were built in 1927. Their cypress nagare-zukuri architectural style and copper-plated roofs create a dignified atmosphere. The amulet office incorporates modern design elements into a traditional shrine setting, and visitors can receive amulets, ema prayer plaques, and goshuin shrine seals there. Behind the amulet office is an observation deck overlooking the town of Dazaifu, where visitors can enjoy the view after worship. The shrine grounds are also known for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage, and many people visit the shrine before climbing Mount Homan.
Mount Hōman (Hōmanzan)
Mount Homan is a mountain about 829 meters high, located across Dazaifu City and Chikushino City in Fukuoka Prefecture. It has long been revered as a sacred mountain. At the summit stands the upper shrine of Homangu Kamado Shrine, and the main trail from Kamado Shrine at the foot of the mountain to the summit is a popular route. Mount Homan is known as a sacred peak of Shugendo mountain worship. In 2013, its historical and cultural value as a mountain of faith was recognized. From the summit, visitors can enjoy views of central Dazaifu, Hakata Bay, and even the Genkai Sea area. It is a rewarding hike where you can experience both nature and the mountain’s deep history of worship.
Kanzeon-ji Temple
Kanzeonji Temple is an ancient temple located in Kanzeonji, Dazaifu City. It was once known as the “Great Temple of the Government Office,” overseeing temples throughout Kyushu, and had a magnificent temple complex. The current main hall and lecture hall, however, were rebuilt in the 17th century. Within the temple grounds is a temple bell regarded as one of the oldest in Japan, preserving the temple’s long history. The treasure house enshrines 16 Buddhist statues created between the Heian and Kamakura periods, all of which are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The quiet space lined with large Buddhist statues, some about five meters tall, allows visitors to experience the power and beauty of Buddhist sculpture up close.
Dazaifu Amusement Park
Dazaifu Amusement Park is a nostalgic amusement park located within the grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. The park offers rides that are easy for young children to enjoy, such as a merry-go-round, children’s train, Sky Ship, and train coaster. It also has an indoor facility called “Dazaifu Omocha no Mori,” where children can play with wooden playground equipment and wooden toys, making it a useful place to spend time regardless of the weather. Located close to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and near the Kyushu National Museum, it is an easy spot to include in a family outing in Dazaifu.
Oishi Tunnel
Oishi Tunnel is a tunnel on the pilgrimage path that runs from the inner grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine toward Kamado Shrine. It was donated in 1928 by Aso Takichi and is said to have been built so that worshippers heading to Kamado Shrine would not have to take a long detour. There is also a local anecdote that Aso Takichi fell in love with “Oishi-san,” a woman who worked at the nearby Oishi Chaya teahouse, and built the tunnel so she could travel more easily between her home and the teahouse. For this reason, the tunnel is also affectionately known as “Oishi Tunnel” or the “Tunnel of Love.”
Shioji-yama (Mount Shioji)
Mount Shioji is a mountain that spans Dazaifu City, Onojo City, and Umi Town in Fukuoka Prefecture. It is a walking and hiking area where visitors can enjoy both nature and ancient history. Within the mountain are the remains of Onojo Castle, an ancient mountain fortress built in 665 to defend Dazaifu from the north. Visitors can see earthworks and stone walls extending for about eight kilometers, as well as foundation stones believed to be the remains of storehouses. The Onojo Castle Ruins are designated a Special Historic Site of Japan and preserve the history of this important defensive base that protected Dazaifu. Shioji Prefectural Forest includes natural and planted woodlands, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing scenery of nature throughout the seasons.
List of Local Products and Traditional Crafts from Dazaifu
Ume (Plum) Preserves
These local specialties reflect Dazaifu’s deep connection with plum blossoms. Dazaifu has long cherished its plum-related history and culture, symbolized by the legend of Tobiume at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and the plum blossom designated as the city flower. In recent years, various products have been developed using plums harvested within the city, including plum cider, Umenbei rice crackers, plum-flavored nori, plum jam, and plum wine.
“Kochi no Ume” Plum Liqueur
Dazaifu Umeshu “Kochi no Ume” is a plum liqueur made by Oga Shuzo using plums associated with Dazaifu. The plums are steeped in authentic shochu to create the brewery’s special umeshu, bringing out a rich plum flavor. In 2017, it won the Bronze Award in the Authentic Shochu Umeshu category at the National Umeshu Competition. It is a drink that offers a pleasant sweetness and the deep, fruity flavor of plums.
Ki-uso (Wooden Bullfinch Figure)
Kiuso is a wood-carved folk craft shaped like a small bird called an uso, or bullfinch. It is used in the Usokae Shinji ritual, where people pray for the lies they have unknowingly told to be transformed into the sincere heart of Tenjin, and for past misfortunes to be turned into good fortune. With its rounded form and simple coloring, Kiuso has a charming, handmade appeal. It comes in various sizes, from small pieces that fit in the palm of your hand to larger ones around 30 centimeters tall. Many people not only display it as a decorative item, but also keep it close as a kind of good-luck charm.