Welcome to DAZAIFUof Chikuzen Kokubun-ji Temple
5 Remains(National Historical Site)
Today s Dazaifu City owes its name to an office called the Dazaifu, or Government General Headquarters, which wasestablished approximately 1,300 years ago and which ruled all of Kyushu for a period of some 500 years. Within the city,
there are many historical sites which serve as reminders of its past, including the ruins of the Dazaifu itself, the Mizuki(Water Fortress),the Ono-jo Fortress Kanzeon-ji Temple, Chikuzen Kokubu-nji Temple, and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

1 Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Mahorobago (City Bus) "Chikuzen Kokubunji"
20 min. from Nishitetsu "Tofuro-mae" sta. on foot.

Mahorobago (City Bus) Nishitetsu Dazaifu Eki"
5 min. from Nishitetsu "Dazaifu" sta. on foot.

Chikuzen Kokubun-ji Temple (which is located in the northwest
part of the city, at the foot of Mt.Shioji) was one of the national
temples constructed in each province in accordance with Emperor Shomu s imperial decree of 741 A.D. It was a large temple
with many buildings. All that remains today is foundation stones
from the pagoda, when Kokubun-ji Temple was built, and aprovincial nunnery was also established. Its ruins are said tohave been about 300 meters west of the temple.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is sacred to the memory of Michizane Sugawara, also known as the god of literature or calligraphy. In 901 A.D.,
Michizane was suddenly demoted from his position as Minister of the Rightand sent to work at the Dazaifu, where he died two years later. Tenmangu
Shrine was built on the site of his grave. The main hall, as it stands today,
was constructed in 1591 A.D. and is registered as an Important CulturalProperty. Within the Shrine precincts, there are many plum trees, camphor
trees and irises, which provide natural beauty in every season of the year.
Tenmangu s history is recalled by events such as the New Year s Demon
Chasing Ceremony (Oni-sube), the Spring Water Poetry Festival (Kyokusui-no-en), and the Annual God-Procession Festival (Jinko-shiki) whichtakes place in the fall.

Mahorobago (City Bus) "Dazaifu Seicho-ato"
15 min. from Nishitetsu "Tofuro-mae" sta. on foot.

The site of the Dazaifu government office is known asTofuro. During the Nara and Heian periods (8-12th century), the Dazaifu was responsible for supervising Japan smaritime frontier, as well as for administering the nine
provinces and three islands of Saikaido (current Kyushu).
In those days, a great edifice with vermilion lacquered
columns and a tiled roof stood at the foot of Mt.Ono, buttoday all that remains is a park containing the huge foundation stones of the original building.

Mahorobago (City Bus) "Tokubetsu Shiseki Mizukiato Higashimon-mae"
20 min. from Nishitetsu "Tofuro-mae" sta. on foot.

2 Komyozen-ji Temple

Mahorobago (City Bus) "Nishitetsu Dazaifu Eki"
5 min. from Nishitetsu "Dazaifu" sta. on foot.

of Ancient Dazaifu Government Office
3 Remains(National Historical Site)of Mizuki Fortress
6 Remains(National Historical Site)

Komyozenji Temple was built in the Kamakura
period (13th century) in connection with the Tenjin
Crossing to China legend. There was a belief in theMiddle Ages that the Tenjin Deity had gone to SongChina to study Zen. This temple is famous for its twogardens; one represents an artificial land and sea
using moss and white pebbles, and the other has
several stones arranged in the shape of the Chinesecharacter Light（光）, which refers to the halo of theBuddha. Many people visit this Buddhist temple,
especially in the early summer to enjoy the rhododendron flowers, or in the fall to view the autumn colors.

of Ono-jo Fortress
7 Remains(National Historical Site)
60 min. from Nishitetsu "Dazaifu" sta. on foot.

To the northwest part of the city, there is a long, low embankment
cutting directly across the plain. This is the Mizuki, or Water
Fortress, which was built in 664 A.D. against a possible invasion
from Tang China and/or the Korean kingdom of Silla. All together,the Mizuki is 1.2 kilometers long, 80 meters wide and 10 meters
high. The name Water Fortress comes from a moat which used toexist on the Hakata side. Water was filled in the moat on the Hakataside. the moat was 60 meters wide and 4 meters deep.
Smaller embankments of the same type as the Mizuki are found inKasuga City and Onojo City.

(Buddhist Ordination Hall)
8 Kaidan-in(National Historical Site)
Mahorobago (City Bus) "Kanzeonji-mae"
11 min. from Nishitetsu "Gojo" sta. on foot.

2 min. from Nishitetsu "Dazaifu" sta. on foot.

You can gather information on sightseeing for Dazaifu, and also enjoy the experience of baking Umegae-mochi (rice cake).
There is also a hall with seating for 200people, as well as rest spaces. It is closed
on Wednesdays.

11 Kyushu National Museum
10 min. from Nishitetsu "Dazaifu" sta. on foot.

It s the 4th National Museum following
Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. It is based on theconcept of Understanding Japanese culture
from the Asian perspective. It is closedon Mondays.

4 Kanzeon-ji Temple(National Historical Site)
Mahorobago (City Bus) "Kanzeonji-mae"
10 min. from Nishitetsu "Gojo" sta. on foot.

The name of Kanzenon-ji Temple appears in the Man yoshu poetry
and in The Tale of Genji a famous novel written by a court lady ofthe Heian period (1008 A.D.). Kanzeonji was built in memory of thelate Empress Saimei by her son, Emperor Tenji. After its completionin the Nara period, it became the most important Buddhist establishment in Kyushu, exerting a great influence on all other temples in theregion. Now, a bronze Bonsho bell, which is the oldest one in Japan,
and a number of Buddhist statues survive to tell us of its history.

10 Dazaifu Hall

To the north of Dazaifu City, there is a
mountain called Mt. Shioji. Ono-jo Fortress
was built on its summit in 665 A.D. It consisted of a number of buildings surrounded bya soil and stone embankment 8 kilometersin circumference. Only the embankment
and the foundation stones of about 70
storehouses remain today. Mt. Shioji wasoriginally called Mt.Ono, a name whichoften appears in the Man yoshu. The
name Shioji comes from the Shitenno(Four Devas kings) who were enshrinedon the mountain.

This ordination hall, or Kaidan-in, wasbuilt in the Nara period (8th century) as
part of Kanzeon-ji. Together with Todai-ji in
Nara and Yakushi-ji in Tochigi, it was oneof Japan s three official ordination halls.
Those living in Western Japan who
wished to enter the Buddhist priesthood
had to be confirmed at the ordination hallof Kanzeon-ji. The main image, a sitting
statue of Rushana Buddha (Vairocana), isa work of the Heian period (12th century).

9 Dazaifu Site Exhibition Hall
Mahorobago (City Bus) Dazaifu Seicho-ato"
15 min. from Nishitetsu "Tofuro-mae" sta. on foot.

The Exhibition Hall contains an ancientdrainage.
Ditch discovered during excavations in
Remains of Ancient Dazaifu Government
Office. This is displayed at the site,
together with many other materials andartifacts illustrating the Dazaifu history. Itis closed on Mondays.

■Published by: Dazaifu city tourism promotion section◆Souvenirs
Many shops lining theapproach to Tenmangu
Shrine sell souvenirs suchas Umegae-mochi (ricecakes) and Kiuso (woodenbullfinches) , which are Thought tobring good luck.

◆EventsJanuary 7

Usokae (Bullfinch Exchange Rite),Oni-sube (Demon Chasing Ceremony) purging ofdemons (Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine)
1st Sunday in March
Kyokusui-no-en
Water Poetry Festival (Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine)
Late May
Gomataki prayer for protection
against sickness during the year (Kamado JinjaShrine)
July 24 and 25
Summer Festival (DazaifuTenmangu Shrine)
September 20 to 25
Jinko-shiki God Procession Festival (Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine)
Early October
Shushi Autumn Festival (DazaifuTenmangu Shrine)☎092(921)2121●Dazaifu city official homepage http://www.city.dazaifu.lg.jp ●Tourist Association website at homepage http://www.dazaifu.org

▲▲ Mt.Shioji▲To Kitakyushu

Dazaifu City Bus"MAHOROBAGO"
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Fare:100yen/ride 300yen/day(Elementary School Students and older)
Kokubu-shou

Tokubetsu Shiseki
Mizukiato
Higashimon-mae

BUS
STOPayJin-no-oBurialmoundBUSSTOP5Timetables

Remains of Chikuzen
Kokubun-ji Temple
Remains of kiln for
Kokubunji roof tiles

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Remains ofPresumed
Konkoji Temple

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9Remains of AncientDazaifu Government Oﬃce
Dazaifu Site Exhibition
HallBUS
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akata

8BUS
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Dazaifu Fire
Department
ro-ma

BUS
Tofuro-mae Sta. STOPeSta.

Seichou Street

Parking Place

5 min on footJR HakataSta.

5 min by subway

Bus route between
Hakata and Dazaifu

BUSSTOP

5 min by subway27 min by
13 min by local train
17 min by limited EXexpress

JRKagoshimaMain30 minby taxi / bus

Nishitetsu
Futsukaichi Sta.
Murasaki Sta.

6km
15 minTenj

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Iki-iki-joho Center

Model course for Sightseeing estimated time for walking

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Bicycle rental

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Remains ofKyakukan(ancient guesthouse)
These were the accommodations for foreign envoys
who came to Dazaifu aroundthe 8-9th century.

Futsukaichi
Hot Springs
The history of Futsukaich HotSprings goes back to the 8thcentury. Officials of the Dazaifu
and priests frequently visited
this spot.

aki

6Remains ofMizuki
FortressSta.

520minRemains of Chikuzen
Kokubun-ji
Temple20 min810minKaidan-in(Buddhist
Ordination Hall)
Enoki
ShrineKanzeon-ji
Templeumamoto2Dazaifu
HallNishFutsukaitetsu
ichi Sta.

Tofuro-mae Sta.

JR Kagoshima Main Line

● Rate:500yen/day(electric bicycle is 800yen)● Open:9:00−18:00(Futsukaichi sta. close at 17:00)

11Komyozen-ji
Temple

5min

2 min

10 min15 minTo Hakata

5min

10 min5 min

JR Futsukaichi Sta

This walk is 4.4km,suitable for a half-day outing.
Get a rental bicycle at Nishitetsu Dazaifu and Futsukaichi Sta.
Return bicycles at these stations or Nishitetsu Tofuro-mae Sta.
ToK

25min

11 minSightseeing course (Historical Walk way)

Chikushino I.C

1041min15 min15 minTo Fukuoka

Shimori Sta.

Tum oeRemains ofAncient Dazaifu
Government Oﬃce

20 min25 minKur

325min.

5 min

Gojo Sta.

Mura

1Kyushu
NationalMuseum

5min

DazaifuTenmangu
Shrine10 min5 min

Nishitetsu
Dazaifu Sta.

About 40 min
from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Sta.

saki Sta.

ToKurume▲

JR Futsukaichi
Sta.

Chikushino I.C

5 min
on foot
15 minby taxi

Dazaifu Tenmangu

Nishitetsu Dazaifu Sta.

Ishiana Shrine
Gojo Sta.

NissukDazaifu I.C6km
15 minPost Oﬃce

Chamber of Commerceand Industry

FutNishitetsu
Fukuoka Tenjin Sta.
30 min by local train
15 min by rapid train

BUS
STOP

Site of Hannyaji Temple.

Fukuoka Airporttsu

Sagita RiverTo
minfuroam iSta

Route MapTenjinhite

Restroom(Historical Walk way)

Gojo

BUS
STOP

City Hall

Enoki Shrine

Sightseeing course

Dazaifu-Shiyakusho

Civic Centerand LibraryNis

BUS
STOP

Chikushi jogakuen
Daigaku-mae

BUS
STOP

Route 3

Historical Site

Kyushu Kokuritsu
Hakubutsukan-mae

Yume-batake(farm products market)

Exhibition Hall

Mikasa River

Map Symbols
Mahorobago(city bus)
Routes and major bus stops

BUS
STOP

Kanzeon-jiTemple

Kanzeonji-mae

BUS
STOP

Seicho-ato

Tofu

4(Buddhist Ordination Hall)

National
11 Kyushu
MuseumKokuhaku Street

2 Komyozen-ji
TempleBUS
Ume-Oji STOP

Site of Gakkoin(Dazaifu school)

Sekiya Sekiya

BUS
STOP

Tenjin-sama Street

Dazaifu Sta.

Bonsho Bell(National Treasure)

Kaidan-in

Dazaifu Tenmangu

Bicycle rental

Asahi Jizo
stone
BuddhaThe gateway of Dazaifu, it was said
to have been a barrier station or acheckpoint.

1 Shrine

Tourist Informationt

Remains ofKarukaya BarrierMi

10 Dazaifu HallBUS
Eki STOP

SakamotoHachimangu
ShrineDazaifu yuenchi(amusement park)

Miya-mae

Hie Shrine
Kokubunji StreeTo

Dazaifu
Fureai Museum

Kokubunji-iriguchi
BUSSTOP

Uchiyamairiguchi BUS

STOP

In1586, more than 700 soldiers ledby Joun Takahashi who was a generalof Otomo Clan of Oita, were defeatedhere by the large number of Shimazu
army and perished at Iwaya fortress.
The view of Dazaifu city from thefortress is so beautiful.

Graves of Sukeyori
and Sukeyoshi Muto

Onigawara gargoyle
tile excavation site

Uchiyama

Tenkai-inari
ShrineKiuso (wooden bullﬁnches)Umegae-mochi (rice cakes)

Remains oflwayajo Fortress▼Sh

HOTEL ROUTE-INN
GRANTIA DAZAIFU☎092-925-5801

Grave of Joun Takahashi

BUSSTOP▲▲Dazaifu I.C

BUS Kamado Shrine
STOPRojinhomu- BUS
mae STOP▲

kupressw
Kyushu Ex

FuBairin Athletic
Sports ParkOishigaki(Remains of stoneembankment)▼To▲
Mt.Homan 829.6m

Remains of Uchiyama
Fortress

Site of Harayama Muryoji
Temple(Harahachibo)

Earthembankment

▲

▲

▲

Convenient to access local facilities and major
landmarks in Dazaifu. Show your pass at Dazaifutenmangu, Houmotsuden, Kankou Rekishikan,Kanzeonji Houzouko, and Dazaifu
Amusement Park to receive a
discount on admission.

Since ancient times, Mt.Homan
has been worshiped as sacred.
Today, it is popular among hikers
and climbers.

This mountain fortress wasmodeled on the Korean andwas complated in 665 toguard the north of Dazaifu.

of7 Remains
Ono-jo Fortress

Prefectural
Forest CenterMt.Homanmi

Remains of
Ono-jo Fortress

Remains of earth
embankment

ToUGuide(volunteers) can give a tour of Dazaifu city.
Make a reservation at Dazaifu Exhibition Hall, call 092-922-7811.
＊Reservation must be made at least 2 weeks in advance.

Dazaifu Exhibition Hall close every Monday and New Year Holidays.