Fukuoka Dazaifu Tenmangu : Attractions/How to go/Kyushu Travel

Introduce you to Dazaifu Tenmangu, a shrine located near Fukuoka, Japan. Dedicated to the god of learning, Dazaifu Tenmangu is considered a must-visit tourist destination when traveling in Fukuoka. It is conveniently located close to downtown Fukuoka, making it easily accessible for visitors.

• 4 Chome-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117, Japan

To visit the shrine, you can usually get off at Dazaifu Tenmangu Station. A short walk from the station will take you to a variety of restaurants, cafes, and street foods.

You can get to Dazaifu Tenmangu by bus, subway, or rental car. If you are using the bus or subway, get off at Dazaifu Station. If you are using a rental car, there are several parking lots nearby.

Hakata Station Bus Terminal 1st floor, Bus Stop No. 11 (40 minutes/600 yen one way)

Fukuoka Tenjin Station – Futsukaichi – Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

(There is a limited express train from Fukuoka Tenjin Station to Futsukachi Station. At this time, 11 stops are reduced to 3 stops, saving time.)

I rented a car and drove to Dazaifu Tenmangu Station using the navigation function in the Google Maps app. Upon arrival, I followed other cars and found several parking lots right next to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Solicitation in the parking lot is common, so you can choose a parking lot and park there. While each parking lot is slightly different, I was able to park for about 500 yen without any special time limit.

I visited Dazaifu Tenmangu on a public holiday and noticed that many Japanese people were also visiting the shrine. As shown in the picture, the line was very long, indicating that many people were there for prayer. While I was not particularly interested in the shrine itself, I did observe the bustling atmosphere before quickly leaving.

After touring the shrine, exit and you will find yourself in a Japanese-style garden. Personally, I enjoyed this place more than the shrine. The garden features many old, large trees and is decorated in a charming style. It felt like stepping into a scene from a Japanese animation or movie. The lively atmosphere, due to the many visitors, made the experience even more enjoyable.

As you continue walking through the garden, you will come across a statue of a bull. Legend has it that if you touch the horns of the bull statue, it will improve your intelligence. Many people line up to take pictures or touch the bull’s horns. If you look closely, you can see that the horns has different color from all the touching.

We walked from Tenmangu to Yotenmangu Station, passing by a variety of eateries and cafes on the way. Among them, the most notable is the Starbucks Dazaifu Omotesando branch, designed by Kengo Kuma, a famous Japanese architect. The impressive exterior of the building is made by weaving trees together, without the use of any nails.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Fukuoka Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It wasn’t as big as I had expected, so I was able to tour it quickly. After exploring the shrine, I headed to Kumamoto, but I think you could leisurely explore the area in half a day, even if you travel to and from Fukuoka.