Dazaifu Tenman-gū (太宰府天満宮, Dazaifu Tenman-gū?) is a Shinto shrine located in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane and is one of the main shrines dedicated to Tenjin, the deified form of Michizane.
The shrine's precinct spans over 3,000 acres and includes several structures. Its honden, or main shrine, was first built by Yasuyuki Umasake in 905, two years after the death of Sugawara Michizane. A larger structure was constructed by the Fujiwara clan in 919 but was destroyed in a fire during during a civil war. The Momoyama-styled shrine visitors see today dates from 1591. The grounds also contain two ponds, a bridge and a treasure house.[1] This treasure house holds several Important Cultural Properties as well as one National Treasure—a calligraphic work known as the kanen (翰苑, kanen?)
The shrine is also known for its 167 varieties of 6,000 ume (Asian plum) trees. One tree, known as Tobiume, stands directly to the right of the honden. Legend has it that after Michizane left Kyoto in exile, he yearned so much for this tree that it was uprooted and brought to Dazadaifu Tenman-gū.
How to get there
From Tenjin Station in central Fukuoka (also known as Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station), take a Nishitetsu limited express to Futsukaichi Station (12 minutes) and transfer to the Dazaifu Line to Dazaifu Station (5 minutes). Limited express trains leave Tenjin Station every 30 minutes. The one way trip costs 390 Yen.
Dazaifu Tenmangu is a 5 minute walk from Dazaifu Station.
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