📕 Goshuin from visitors
Dazaifu Tenmangu (Dazaifu Tenman Grand Shrine)
〒818-0117 福岡県太宰府市宰府4丁目7−1
Dazaifu Tenmangu is a shrine located in Saifu, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Its former official rank was Kanpei Chusha (Medium Shrine of Official Rank), and it is currently listed as a Hyakku Mangoku Shrine under the Association of Shinto Shrines. The shrine's mon (crest) is the ume (plum blossom). It is one of the Tenmangu shrines that enshrines Sugawara no Michizane (also known as Sugawara no Michizane-kou or Koun) as its enshrined deity (kami), serving as the spiritual headquarters for Tenjin-sama. Along with Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto, it is regarded as the head shrine for all Tenmangu shrines nationwide and is deeply revered as the memorial temple of Koun. During Hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year), it attracts over 2 million visitors annually from across Kyushu and Japan, with total annual visitors exceeding 8.5 million.
Enshrined deities
Sugawara-no-Michizane (Tenjin)
History
The shrine was originally established on the grave of Sugawara no Michizane-kou, who was exiled to Dazaifu due to slander by Fujiwara no no Taira and died there.
Blessings
As one of the Tenmangu shrines enshrining Sugawara no Michizane-kou, it is widely known as the deity of learning and scholarship.
What visitors say
A representative landmark in Fukuoka visited by a wide range of generations, not just examinees, due to its status as the deity of learning. The approach is lively, lined with food stalls and souvenir shops. Visitors note that the air within the precincts is clear and calming. It attracts many worshippers during Hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year).
Opening hours
- Monday: 6:30 – 18:30
- Tuesday: 6:30 – 18:30
- Wednesday: 6:30 – 18:30
- Thursday: 6:30 – 18:30
- Friday: 6:30 – 18:30
- Saturday: 6:30 – 18:30
- Sunday: 6:30 – 18:30
Annual events & festivals
- January 1 onwardHatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
First shrine visit to the deity of learning, drawing the largest crowds in Kyushu, especially among exam candidates.
The shrine enshrines Michizane Sugawara, the deity of learning and sincerity. The first shrine visit of the year is bustling with visitors, primarily those praying for success in entrance exams, making it the most crowded in Kyushu.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Prayers for Exam Success
- ・Sacred Ox (Petting Ox)
- ・Flying Plum Blossoms in Front of the Main Hall
- January 7Usotsugae and Onisube Shinto Rites
New Year rites to replace the usotsugae bird and drive away demons; Onisube is one of Japan's three great fire festivals.
In the evening, the 'Usotsugae' rite replaces a wooden carving of the usotsugae bird to turn the misfortunes of the past year into 'lies,' followed by the 'Onisube,' a spectacular rite where hundreds of people drive away demons with flames and smoke.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Usotsugae Rite
- ・Onisube (One of Japan's Three Great Fire Festivals)
- ・Spectacular Battle of Fire and Smoke
- February 25Baika-sai (Plum Blossom Festival)
A festival offering plum blossoms on the memorial day of the enshrined deity, Michizane Sugawara.
On February 25, the memorial day of Michizane Sugawara, a festival is held to offer plum blossoms, a flower he loved. The approximately 6,000 plum trees in the shrine grounds also reach their peak bloom.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Offering Plum Blossoms on the Memorial Day of Michizane Sugawara
- ・6,000 Plum Trees in the Shrine Grounds
- ・Legend of the Flying Plum
- First Sunday of MarchKyokusui no Utage (Curved Stream Banquet)
A banquet recreating the elegance of the Heian period, where participants in Heian court attire compose waka poetry.
In this event recreating the elegance of the imperial court, participants in Heian court attire float cups on a curved stream and must compose a waka poem before the cup reaches them.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Participants in Heian Court Attire
- ・Floating Cups on the Curved Stream
- ・Recreation of Heian Court Elegance
- September (2 days before Autumn Equinox to September 25)Shinkosai Grand Festival
An autumn grand festival to comfort the divine spirit of Dozen Koutou.
Held from two days before the Autumn Equinox until September 25, this is a traditional event lasting over a thousand years where the portable shrine (mikoshi) travels to the temporary shrine (tabisho). A procession in Heian-period attire moves through the streets.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Procession of the portable shrine to the temporary shrine
- ・Procession in Heian-period attire
- ・Tradition spanning over a thousand years
Dates can shift from year to year. Please check the official information before you go.
口コミ (...件)

Looking up Dazaifu Tenmangu (Dazaifu Tenman Grand Shrine)?
Kaminavi helps you find over 90,000 shrines across Japan by map, blessing, and reviews. Its real-time lucky-direction search based on Nine Star Ki even tells you which direction is auspicious for you today. You can also keep your visit records, Goshuin collection, and pilgrimage plans in one place.
What you can do on Kaminavi
Today's Lucky Direction
From where you are now, via Nine Star Ki
Good Days to Visit
Rokuyo & auspicious-day calendar
Power Spots
Highlights in Kyushu & Okinawa
Festival Calendar
Annual events in Kyushu & Okinawa
Featured Articles
Guides by type of blessing
Worship Etiquette
Starting with the torii gate
Visits & Goshuin
Keep a record of every visit