Dazaifu, classic grounds of Man'yō~Part 4 Dazaifu Tenmangū (2)

The torī of Tenkai Inari shrine is in sight again.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going past the torī and down the hill, there is a tunnel on the left.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

It is the Hōmangū-sanpai Tunnel.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The tunnel was built as a shortcut from the Dazaifu Tenmangū and the Kamado shrine, by Takichi Asō, known as a coal tycoon, in 1928. The tunnel made of brickwork was dug by the hands of man.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

In general, the tunnel is known as "O-Ishi Tunnel". It is known by the name since, some people said, Takichi Asō built the tunnel for a women called "O-Ishi-san", who ran a tea house in the Dazaifu Tenmangū, so she can come to work more easily from her house near Kamado shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The tunnel inside the Dazaifu Tenmangū. It is near the path going up to Tenkai Inari shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The O-Ishi-san's tea house near "O-Ishi Tunnel".
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Near by, there is a stone monument engraved with a waka composed by Isamu Yoshī, a poet, when he visited the "Oishi chaya".
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Back at the "Meoto-kusu" again.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going up a shady path between the trees.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The stone steps go by the small water fall, "Makoto-no-taki".
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Water flowing out from the top of the fall.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The "Makoto-no-taki" surrounded by trees. The sound of the running water is pleasing.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The path leads to 13 branch shrines lining the hill next to the main shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Kōdaijingū that enshrines Amaterasu-ōmikami.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going down the hill.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The main shrine seen from the hill.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Among the branch shrines is the Sōrin-tō, a kind of Buddhist pagoda. It is one of the few remains ofShinbutsu-shūgō, the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

There are more branch shrines on the lower part of the hill.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Right next to the main shrine, is the "'Ume-no-tane' osamedokoro". It is a place to put plum seeds so they won't be wasted, since it was believed that the spirit of Tenjin dwells inside plum seeds.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Next to "'Ume-no-tane' osamedokoro" is Nakashima Shrine, which is dedicated to Tajimamori-no-mikoto, known as the god of sweets.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Continuing on. The Hōmotsuden, also called Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum, is where more than 50 thousand treasured historic items are stored.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Back to the Rōmon.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Statues of deers next to the Chōzuya.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Also, next to the Chōzuya, is a statue of a Kirin, a mythical creature, and a Uso, related to the Uso-gae ritual.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

This monument engraves a poem composed by a historian, Tokutomi Sohō.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Kaede shrine, near the Hōmotsuden is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane's wife, Nobukiko-no-mikoto.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

This branch shrine, Ukemochi shrine enshrines Ukemochi-no-mikoto, the god of food.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Josui-no-ido next to the Hōmotsuden is a well used by Kuroda Yoshitaka, a feudal lord also known as "Kuroda Kanbē", when he lived here as he worshipped Sugawara no Michizane.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Behind the Josui-no-ido is Josui shrine, dedicated to Kuroda Yoshitaka. "Josui" is his Buddhist name.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

At the Bunsho-kan, some exhibitions are hold. Also it's garden is where "Kyokusui-no-utage", a replication of the ceremony originally held in the Heian period, is held every March.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

At the far end, there is the entrance to Kyushu National Museum.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Kyushu National Museum is located on the hills next to Dazaifu Tenmangū. First going up a escalator.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Next there is a tunnel called "Rainbow Tunnel" as it's lights changes colors.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

At the other end of the tunnel is Kyushu National Museum.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Kyushu National Museum is the 4th national museum in Japan. It opened in 2005, and it collects items related to the cultural exchange between Kyūshū and Asia or Europe.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Not enough time, so turning back. Going back the escalator again.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Next to the entrance of Kyushu National Museum, is the Dazaifu Amusement Park, a small classic amusement park which opened in 1957.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Their is a another path that leads to Tenkai Inari shrine next to the Dazaifu Amusement Park too.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

In front of the entrance of Kyushu National Museum. Going back the same way.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The pond in front of the Bunsho-kan. In June, more than 30 thousand irises will be in full bloom.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The monument, next to the pond, engraves a waka composed by Saeki-no-Kobito at the "Baika-no-utage", a poetic gathering to view plum blossoms at the residence of Ōtomo no Tabito, the Governor-General of Dazaifu government office.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Walking along the pond. On the other side, the approach to the main shrine crossing the "Shinji-ike" can be seen.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The paths join near the shrine's entrance.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

At the shrine's entrance. The monument here engraves the waka composed by Sugawara no Michizane before he left Kyoto for exile in Dazaifu as a tribute to his favorite plum tree.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Just a minute away from the approach of the shrine, there is the Ukidono. In the Annual festival, the mikoshi visits the Ukidono, and "Take-no-hayashi", a ritual ceremonial dance is performed.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Back at the approach of the shrine, taking a break having Umegaemochi.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The street is still crowded with visitors.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Back at the station, leaving Dazaifu.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka