Want to pass School Entrance Exam? Visit Michizane-kou @ Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine!

This is Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, where Michizane Sugawara, God of Academy, is worshipped.



People from all over Japan visit Michizane-kou (it’s a way to call him friendly and with respect), and pray `Please let me (or let my son/ daughter) pass the entrance exam!’.

(If you know something about Japanese educational system, to enter good highschools and universities is very hard, and considerd to be crucial to decide future career. Usually, entrance exams are held from Jan. to early Feb., for school starts in April in Japan).



See? lots of people.



On your way to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine from the parking or railway station, is the Sando street, which is a passway to the shrine. There’re many souvenior shops along the sando, and here in Dazaifu Tenmangu, one of the specialities is definitely…



Umegae-mochi, which is a special rice cake with pasted sweet beans inside. Ume means plum, and is the simbol of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, for several reasons.

(First, Michizane, the god of academy loved plum tree. Second, there’s a background story. When Michizane was sent away from Kyoto to Dazafu, it is said plum flower jumped from there, to follow Michizane, missing. The seed of the flower’s grown up to be a Jumping Plum Tree `Tobiume‘ , which you can see today, just next to the shrine building. Besides, Tobiume, here’re thousands of plum trees in Dazaifu which are in full broom and are magnificent in March. )





ACCESS

To go to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station (Tenjin), about half an hour by Nishitetsu railway (get off at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine station).
By car, it’s about 20 to 25 minutes from Hakata or Tenjin, passing highway.

YOU CAN ENJOY DAY-TRIP IN DAZAIFU AREA!

Next to Dazaifu (you can visit on foot) is Kyushu National Museum, so you can enjoy a day trip in Dazaifu Area, enjoying culture and nature ! Dazaifu is blessed with beautiful nature, especially with flowers in each season !