The Historic town of Dazaifu and why you should not sleep on visiting.
What was once the ancient administrative centre of Kyushu, Dazaifu, is now a very well-visited town on the outskirts of Hakata. Dazaifu can easily eat up a whole day simply because it has so much to offer! From stunning shrines, street food, local crafts, the Kyushu National Museum, historical ruins of the once administrative centre, tons of food spots and three Pokelid stamps for Fukuoka prefecture waiting to be collected. I have visited three times now, and each time I was able to find something new to explore.
It is no secret that shrines on New Year's Day are the place to be; people form lines as early as midnight not to miss the chance to make their first visit and pull a fortune. Dazaifu is one of the biggest and most popular shrines in Fukuoka and the surrounding prefectures. Even outside of New Year's, it is always busy. It welcomes over 10 million visitors a year. Foot traffic is heavy, and many tour buses operate day trips to the area. Parking can be competitive, and the wait for Ichiran by the station often tops two hours because of how many people visit. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is a beautiful historic shrine dedicated to the deity of learning, making it a popular school trip destination. I first visited the shrine with one of my schools and decided to revisit to explore more. It is the head of over 12,000 Tenjin shrines nationwide and blends modern art into the experience. There are many old camphor trees on the grounds, all hundreds of years old, and beautiful stone arched bridges cross streams. The shrine is currently undergoing renovation, but do not let this put you off. Dazaifu has currently set up a temporary shrine that blends nature with modernity. The shrine complex is worth visiting, and there are secluded local restaurants all dotted about.
The journey to the shrine is lined with excitement, too! Shops line the approach, and all have something local to offer, from treats, crafts, the famous wooden Starbucks, gatcha arcades and cafes. One of my favourite treats is a strawberry mochi bar that is perfect for the heat, because the mochi does not melt like most ice bars, and the strawberry flavour is strong. The frozen strawberry pieces allow you to taste a local speciality from the prefecture whilst enjoying it for a reasonable price. Upon my last visit, I saw they were offering a pineapple version. You can also enjoy traditional mochi here with the kinako powder. There is a lot to explore on the approach itself, and once you finally make your way to the shrine, you will have already taken up a few hours.
After exploring the shrine, you can continue to the Kyushu National Museum, as they are connected. Depending on how much of a museum person you are, this place has a lot to offer. For those wanting a short experience, there is a free permanent exhibition which shares Japanese history, culture and art with visitors. You need to grab a ticket, but it is a fun way to spend an afternoon. For those who love museums, you will probably be here for double the time, as there are always paid exhibitions on offer which change frequently. On my first trip, I explored the paid exhibition on Haniwa, Japanese grave goods shaped like a variety of objects. I was inspired and wrote a blog about them. On my second visit to the museum, the paid exhibit had changed to one about Buddhism, and there were monks selling amulets and wares in front of it, complete with a prayer bell for visitors to ring. The gift shop is fun, and depending on the exhibit, limited merch will be available. I couldn’t resist buying Chiikawa merch as the characters were wearing Haniwa costumes.
If you still want more shrine fun, there is the Kamado shrine at the base of Mount Homan. This shrine is famous for matchmaking and is popular with couples. It is also popular because it shares the family name of the main character of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro Kamado. The amulets from this shrine are very sought after as they offer a very modern design, which is popular with younger visitors.
The fun doesn’t end here, however. Why not explore the old ruins of the administrative buildings and enjoy some stunning scenery? There are three Pokelids in the area for players to collect, and they can be collected within an hour; there is a bus that links the stamp at the ruins to the station in front of the temple and museum.
With so much on offer, visitors can also enjoy local cuisine such as Tonkotsu ramen, soba and much more. Dazaifu is a perfect way to explore and enjoy Kyushu. There is a lot on offer, and there are even tours that operate if you want to join one. I fully recommend visiting when you come to Fukuoka, you will enjoy a variety of experiences and be able to buy many local and unique souvenirs.
