Dazaifu Tenmangu

photo by そらみみ · CC BY-SA 3.0

photo by Immanuelle · CC BY 4.0

Until 2027 the shrine of 1591 is replaced by one with a roof of 10,000 real plants.

If you arrive today you will not see the 本殿 (honden, the main building) of 1591: it is closed for a restoration that will last until 2027, and services are held in a temporary shrine designed by the architect Fujimoto Sōsuke, with a roof covered in 10,000 real plants. The shrine holds the tomb of Sugawara no Michizane.

Founded in 919 over the tomb of Sugawara no Michizane, a court official who died in exile at Dazaifu, it is now one of Japan's main shrines dedicated to learning. The present honden was rebuilt in 1591 by the daimyō (feudal lord) Kobayakawa Takakage. Every year, in early March, the shrine also hosts the 曲水の宴 (kyokusui no en), a poetry rite in which the participants compose a poem before a cup of sake, floated down an artificial stream, reaches them.

ℹ️ The shrine can be visited free of charge from 6:30 to 19:00. The 宝物殿 (hōmotsuden, treasure museum) is open 9:00–16:30, closed on Mondays, ticket 500¥.

🚉 Dazaifu · 8 min walk

Sources: oniwa.garden

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