FAQ

A: Dazaifu Tenmangu is in the city of Dazaifu, 30 minutes from downtown Fukuoka. The shrine is an ideal day trip from Fukuoka and a convenient stop on the way from Fukuoka to Yanagawa.

A: Yes. The Fukuoka City Tourist Pass gives you a discount on entrance to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum and the Kanko Historical Museum, both within the grounds. You also get a discount at nearby Dazaifu Amusement Park, Kyushu National Museum, and the exhibition space at Kanzeonji Temple.

A: The best way to get from Fukuoka to Dazaifu depends on where you are within the city. From the area around Hakata Station, the direct bus service departing from Hakata Bus Terminal is most convenient. If you are in Tenjin or Nakasu, the train from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station will be your best option, getting you to Dazaifu in just 30 minutes.

A: You can get to Dazaifu Tenmangu from Hakata Station by bus, taxi, or subway and train. There are taxi stands outside the station, and the journey takes around 40 minutes. The direct bus service that operates from Hakata Bus Terminal, adjacent the station, is significantly less expensive than a taxi and will drop you off outside Dazaifu Station in 45 minutes. To make the journey by subway and train, you will need to take the Kuko subway line to Tenjin and connect to the rail service from nearby Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station. Expect the journey to take around 50 minutes. The walk from Dazaifu Station to Dazaifu Tenmangu takes an additional five minutes.

A: Getting to Dazaifu Tenmangu from Fukuoka International Airport is easy. Buses run frequently from the airport and drop you off outside Dazaifu Station, a short walk from the shrine. The journey takes 25 minutes.

A: There is no car-parking at Dazaifu Tenmangu. Paid parking is available nearby but spaces are limited, so we recommend visiting by public transport.

A: There are many things to see and do at Dazaifu Tenmangu. From artworks, festivals, amulets, shuin, and other Shinto customs to traditional teahouses, the Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum, and the beautiful grounds, it is easy to fill an entire day.

A: If you want to explore the grounds at leisure, visit the on-site museums, stop at one of the teahouses and browse the shops that line the approach to the shrine, we really recommend a full day. To visit Kamado Shrine, Kanzeonji Temple and other nearby attractions, consider staying overnight. For an idea of how to spend your time in Dazaifu, see our suggested itineraries.

A: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine opens year-round, with times that vary slightly depending on the time of year. In the morning, the shrine opens by 6:30 a.m. (6 a.m. at the earliest times of year). Visitors typically arrive at the shrine from 8:30 a.m., when morning prayers begin at the main sanctuary. The shrine closes at 6:30 p.m. in winter (December to March), 7:30 p.m. in summer (June to August), and at 7 p.m. at all other times of year. Last admission for the on-site museums is at 4 p.m.

A: There is no entrance fee at Dazaifu Tenmangu. You can visit the main sanctuary and stroll the grounds free of charge. The on-site museums and nearby attractions such as Dazaifu Amusement Park and Kyushu National Museum charge entrance fees, however.

A: Yes. The Fukuoka City Tourist Pass gives you a discount on entrance to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum and the Kanko Historical Museum, both within the grounds. You also get a discount at nearby Dazaifu Amusement Park, Kyushu National Museum, and the exhibition space at Kanzeonji Temple.

A: Yes, free Wi-Fi is available at Dazaifu Tenmangu. The service is provided by the city of Dazaifu. Connect to the Dazaifu City Wi-Fi network and register with your email address.

A: Yes, a wide variety of amulets are available at amulet counters within the honden complex of Dazaifu Tenmangu. They come in different colors and designs and have different purposes. Amulets for academic success and for passing exams are particularly popular. Talk to a shrine maiden at one of the counters for help selecting the right one for you.

A: The plum trees usually begin to bloom in late January and continue through into early March, but each year is slightly different, varying with the weather. Dazaifu Tenmangu is most famous for its plum trees, but the grounds also feature giant camphor trees, cherry trees, azaleas, and irises. The scenery is spectacular throughout the year.

A: Credit cards are accepted at Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum and at Dazaifu Tenmangu Information Center, at the entrance to the grounds. At amulet counters and other locations, only cash is accepted. If you need to withdraw cash on your visit, there are ATMs at convenience stores and banks nearby.

A: There is nowhere to store luggage at Dazaifu Tenmangu, but there are coin-operated lockers at Dazaifu Station. They take 100 yen coins and vary in size.

A: There is a lot to do around the shrine. Some of the nearest attractions include the shops along the approach to the shrine, Kyushu National Museum, and Dazaifu Amusement Park. Other popular attractions are Kamado Shrine and the Buddhist statues at Kanzeonji Temple. You can rent bicycles at Dazaifu Station, and there are kimono rental shops, too.

A: Kyushu National Museum neighbors Dazaifu Tenmangu and is accessible on foot via a path through the shrine grounds. Follow signs for the museum. From the main sanctuary, it takes about 5 minutes.

A: Kamado Shrine is 10 minutes from Dazaifu Tenmangu by bus. The bus stop is a short walk from the main sanctuary. If you need directions, you can ask at the information desk at the main entrance of the shrine. You may also like to take a taxi from Dazaifu Station. The fare is around 1,000 yen.

A: Tenkai Inari Shrine is located behind the main sanctuary. It takes about 10 minutes on foot. Walk through the garden behind the honden where the teahouses are located. Follow the path through the garden and up into the wooded hillside. You will begin to see red torii gates along the path. Keep going and you will arrive at Tenkai Inari.

A: Yes, there are teahouses serving umegaemochi, local snacks, and light meals within the grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu, and there are many other options along the approach to the shrine from Dazaifu Station.

A: Yes. Please inquire at the tourist information center at Dazaifu Station.

A: Dazaifu has a couple of hotels and guesthouses, and most are a short taxi ride from the shrine. An overnight stay is perfect if you want to experience Dazaifu Tenmangu at dusk or in the early morning when there are fewer visitors.

A: The Dazaifu Yanagawa Sightseeing Ticket is a special sightseeing pass that covers train travel between Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station, Dazaifu Station, and Yanagawa Station and includes a punting tour in Yanagawa. The ticket also gives the bearer discounted admission to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum, the Kanko Historical Museum, and other attractions in Dazaifu. It is available at Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station.