[Dazaifu] Insider tips from a shrine fanatic! ARNE's guide to enjoying Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is a shrine that represents Kyushu and Fukuoka.

Anyone living in Fukuoka has probably been there at least once, but there is currently a temporary "temporary shrine" built there, so it's definitely a place you should visit for your first visit of the year in 2024.

This time, we will introduce you to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in detail, including some surprising highlights. In the second half, we will also share some ways to enjoy the shrine, as told by a certain person who is a shrine fanatic!

Guide to the grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is a shrine with a history of over 1,100 years since its founding, and is the head shrine of the approximately 10,000 Tenmangu shrines across the country.

Continue along the approach to the shrine, pass the information center (where you can get maps of the shrine grounds and rent wheelchairs), and goshinushi (sacred cow), and you will come across the red Taiko Bridge spanning Shinji Pond.

The three connected bridges of the Taiko Bridge represent the past, present, and future, and it is said that crossing this bridge will purify your mind and body.

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

After crossing the bridge, you will pass through the Chozuya (purification fountain), which is made from a single rock from Mt. Homan, and then pass through the Tower Gate.

By the way, the "Romon Gate" of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine has a two-story roof when viewed from the Taikobashi bridge side, but when viewed from the main shrine side, it only has one story! It is a gate with a very unusual design, with different shapes on the front and back.

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Once you pass through the Tower Gate, you will finally reach the Main Hall (currently undergoing a major Reiwa renovation, so you cannot see it as you see in the photo. We will introduce the Temporary Hall later).

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine *Image is from before renovation

To the right of the main hall is the famous Tobiume plum tree. It is a very famous and special sacred tree that is said to have flown from the capital to Dazaifu overnight in adoration of Michizane.

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

This Tobiume is a very early-blooming variety called Iro Tamagaki. Every year, it blooms before the other plum trees in the temple grounds, signaling the start of the blooming of the other 6,000 plum trees of about 200 varieties.

The main hall is undergoing major renovation for the first time in 124 years! First visit of the year 2024 will be to the "temporary hall"

The main hall is currently undergoing its first major renovation in 124 years, which will take approximately three years from May 2023.

During this major renovation period, a temporary shrine has been erected in front of the main shrine, and religious ceremonies, prayers, and worship are being held in the temporary shrine.

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

The architect Sou Fujimoto designed the unique "temporary palace" with its green roof. The beautiful and innovative design, inspired by the legend of Michizane's flying plum tree, has been much talked about.

Furthermore, the curtains and folding screens that decorate the interior were designed by the fashion brand Mame Kurogouchi, which has been making waves for its collaboration items with Uniqlo, and the sound was supervised by NF Inc., led by Sakanaction's Ichiro Yamaguchi. Contemporary creators came together to create this special space.

Fortune slips, charms, and temple seals

If you visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, you definitely need to buy a fortune slip and a charm.

Fortune slip

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is surrounded by nature throughout the four seasons, and to allow visitors to experience the richness of nature, the colors of the "omikuji" (fortune slips) change throughout the year. There are also seasonal fortune slips, such as "water fortune slips," "Tanabata fortune slips," and "snow fortune slips."

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Amulet (Academic Amulet)

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is known first and foremost for its deity, the "god of academic achievement."

This is the "Gakugyo Nishikimamori" (Amulet for Academic Purposes), which supports those who work hard to achieve their goals, such as improving their academic ability and grades, or getting better at extracurricular activities. It comes in four colors: red, purple, white, and peach.

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Additionally, the shrine gift shop at Dazaifu Tenmangu also carries talismans and amulets from Tenkai Inari Shrine and Homangu Kamado Shrine.

School pencils

There are also "Academic Pencils" that are meant to bring good luck in exams, academics and grades. There are three types: 2B, HB and mark sheet compatible.

＜HB＞

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

The pattern varies depending on the thickness of the core.

＜2B＞

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Goshuin

The "Goshuin" can be written on the spot. The shrine office also has original Dazaifu Tenmangu Goshuin notebooks.

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

You can also get a "Tenkai Inari Shrine" stamp at the gift shop of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

Shrine fanatic who loves goshuin stamps! Announcer Kentaro Suda's recommendation: "How to enjoy Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine"

Kentaro Suda, the announcer for FBS Fukuoka Broadcasting, loves shrines so much that he has a segment on the evening information program "Mentai Wide" (FBS Fukuoka Broadcasting) called "Suda-san loves goshuin stamps."

This time, we asked announcer Suda to tell us how to enjoy Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, something that only she knows.

So, from here on, we will be sending you news written by announcer Suda!

Image: Kentaro Suda (Fukuoka Broadcasting)

I am Suda, a newscaster who is in charge of the "Suda-san loves Goshuin" corner of "Mentai Wide" and who has a deep love for Goshuin and shrines.

This time, we will tell you about the hidden charms of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which is well known to all Fukuoka residents. If you visit the shrine after reading this article, you might feel more energized.

If you just "stroke" them all, they'll unleash their full power!? Sacred cows!

Sugawara no Michizane is enshrined at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It is well known that Michizane had a deep connection with cows.

Michizane was born in the Year of the Ox. Furthermore, he died on the Day of the Ox. Before he died, he is said to have said, "Don't let people run over me, stay where the cows go (bury me)."

This is the deep connection that cows have with Michizane.

Because of this deep connection, there are sacred cows placed all over the grounds. It is said that if you stroke its head you will receive wisdom, and it is beloved by many people.

Image: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

So, how many of these sacred cows do you think there are in the shrine grounds?

In fact, there are 11 of them! (I'm guessing there are 11 of them because the cow's horns look like the number "11"!?)

From my research, the oldest statue was made in the Edo period. The rest were made in the Meiji and Showa periods, and are of various sizes. It's hard to find them unless you walk all over the temple grounds!

Among them are small statues that are more like "hidden Usshi" than "hidden Ooki."

If you stroke all 11 of them, you might be granted great wisdom! Come visit Tenmangu Shrine in the new year and receive the "power of the sacred cow"! That's all from Suda.

What did you think? The next time you visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, be sure to look for the sacred cows in the shrine grounds and discover new charms. (Written by ARNE Editorial Department)

<Facility information>
■Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Address: 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
*This article is current as of the time of publication. *Prices in the text include tax.

◆ ARNE TV #204 "ARNE's way of enjoying Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine"

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