Day Trip to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine from Central Fukuoka

Planning how to spend your time while in Fukuoka? A trip to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is a must!

Not only are the grounds beautiful and filled with other smaller shrines, but the area is easy to access by train (only 40 minutes from the center of the city) and there is a fun shopping street filled with different foods to try.

Read to learn about Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and what you can do during your visit!

*The main sanctuary is currently undergoing its first major renovation in 124 years and will span three years. A temporary shrine has been erected in its place and features a small forest on the roof.

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Table of Contents

• Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Vlog
• Getting to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
• What to Do in Dazaifu
  • Try Umegae Mochi
  • Rub an Ox Head for Good Luck
  • Enter the Main Sanctuary
  • Purchase Amulets, Ema, and Omikuji Fortunes
  • Walk in the Forest to Tenkai Inari Shrine
  • Komyozenji Temple Art Installation
  • Enjoy Lunch with a Garden View
  • Shop for Kyushu Specialty Items
  • Try Mentaiko Onigiri
  • Cool Off With Matcha Sweets
  • Venture to Kamado Shrine
• Dazaifu Tenmangu Seasonal Events
  • Plum Trees in the Spring
  • Onisube Fire Festival on January 7th
• Final Thoughts

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Vlog

Getting to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

To get to Dazaifu Tenmangu from central Fukuoka via train, take the Nishitetsu line from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station in Tenjin or Nishitetsu Yakuin Station. There are express trains that go directly to Dazaifu Station without transfers. From Tenjin Station, the Express train takes about 40 minutes and costs ¥410 each way.

If you take a Limited Express train, a transfer is necessary at Futsukaichi Station. The route is marked so follow the signs if you have to transfer.

What to Do in Dazaifu

After arriving and exiting Dazaifu Station, turn right to find the main street, Tenjinsama. This lively street has large stone torii gates leading up to the shrine as well as shops and restaurants on either side.

Try Umegae Mochi

The most popular food to try here is a baked mochi treat called umegae mochi – a freshly grilled mochi rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste. In front of the windows, you can watch the workers expertly oil the grill plates, slap down mochi balls, and remove the freshly cooked sweets from the automated machine.

Order take-out from the store windows or head into a cafe to enjoy a more leisurely time.

The outside is deliciously crispy while the insides, full of chewy mochi and sweet bean paste, are piping hot.

Rub an Ox Head for Good Luck

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine was built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane, a man who became deified in Shinto as the God of learning. It is said that when Sugawara passed away, the oxen pulling the carriage of his remains abruptly laid down and refused to move.

Since this time, oxen have become a symbolic part of the shrine and eleven bronze oxen called shingyu reside on the grounds. When you first enter the shrine, the largest ox statue greets you. Give its head a rub since it is believed that doing so will make you wiser.

Komyozenji Temple Art Installation

Near the entrance of the shrine is a small temple called Komyozenji Temple. Walk up to the entrance of this temple and peer inside to see the art installation, “Really shiny stuff that doesn’t mean anything” by artist Ryan Gander.

Head to the Main Sanctuary

Head towards the main sanctuary and cross the three bright vermilion bridges, each representing the past, present, and future. Below these bridges is a peaceful pond.

At the entrance to the innermost grounds is the temizuya, where one purifies the body before entering by washing their hands with the running water.

Next to the temizuya, is a statue of a kirin – a Chinese mythical creature with the head of a dragon and the body of a horse. This creature represents Sugawara no Michizane’s wisdom and magnificence.

At the honden, or main sanctuary, line up to say your prayers. It is customary to give a small offering (5 or 10 yen coin), bow twice, clap twice, and then silently say your prayers and pay your respects. Afterwards, a final bow is given.

Purchase Amulets, Ema, and Omikuji Fortunes

In the main sanctuary, you can buy small amulets and fortunes for future prosperity and good luck. Since this shrine is associated with education and wisdom, it is a popular destination for many students during exam time.

You can also purchase special wooden ema. These have colorful decorations on one side and blank spaces on the other for wishes and prayers to be written. Once written, the ema can be hung on display.

Walk in the Forest to Tenkai Inari Shrine

Past the main grounds is a path that leads into the hills, through a small forest, to Tenkai Inari Shrine. This small shrine is in a quiet section of the grounds and is surrounded by red and white banners and a row of vermilion tori gates.

Enjoy Lunch with a Garden View

Several restaurants line the main and side streets leading up to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. At Sakadoya, you can eat on a tatami mat facing a beautiful Japanese garden.

The restaurant has a slightly awkward ordering system requiring you to select a table before placing an order at the cashier up front.

Here is the tri-colored soba dipping noodles and tempura lunch set. The pink noodles had a refreshing pickled plum taste, and the tempura complemented the cold noodles.

Shop for Kyushu Specialty Items

Many stores on the main street sell typical, trinkety souvenirs. For items with a bit more style and story, head to Kyushu Voice, a store that stocks locally-made goods including foodstuffs and crafts. There is a cafe on the second floor.

Try Mentaiko Onigiri

If you want to try Fukouka’s specialty mentaiko (salted cod roe) goods, head to Fukutaro. Here you can have a mentaiko onigiri fresh off the grill, or buy mentaiko-flavored senbei crackers from an assortment of different flavors.

Cool Off With Matcha Sweets

You’ll know you’ve reached the matcha specialty store, Sawawa, when you see the building painted bright green. This is a must-stop place for tea a matcha lovers. The matcha gelato is creamy and packed with flavor. Also on the menu are matcha latte floats, warabi braken starch mochi with matcha powder, and plenty of other merchandise.

Venture to Kamado Shrine

Although a bit far from the main part of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Kamado Shrine is another neat place to visit, especially during fall when the maple trees change colors. This shrine features a contemporary amulet center and is located at the foot of Mt. Homan, a popular yet challenging climbing route.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Seasonal Events

Plum Trees in the Spring

On a seasonal note, there are over 6,000 plum trees throughout the shrine grounds that are in full bloom from mid-February to early March. The shrine is extremely popular to visit during this time.

Onisube Fire Festival on January 7th

Every year on January 7th, a blazing fire cuts through the evening darkness at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

A group of men dressed in colored robes lift massive fans to stoke a fire and send smoke into the air. Another group bashes into the walls of a wooden building to break it down. What is going on, you ask? This is Fukuoka’s Onisube festival! Learn more about the festival here.

Final Thoughts

A trip to Dazaifu was a great excursion from central Fukuoka where you can learn a bit about Japan’s Shinto history and enjoy eating along the main street.

Want to learn about more things to do in Fukuoka? Check out this post: What to Do in Fukuoka – 20 Local Recs to Add To Your Itinerary

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Want more ideas for what to do during your trip to Fukuoka? Check out these posts!

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• 10+ Best Overnight Trips From Fukuoka, Kyushu – Explore places close to Fukuoka that make for overnight or weekend trips.
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