Fukuoka

Feb 18, 2015 - 1 min read

Plum Blossoms at Dazaifu

Fukuoka's famous shrine heralds the start of spring

By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

Plum blossoms outside the main hall of Dazaifu Tenmangu

A plum tree pruned in the bonsai style

Weeping plum trees surround the shrine's pond

Most of the plum trees sport pink petals but the occasional white-petaled tree can be found

Plum blossoms against the shrine's main gate

One of the darker shades of plum blossoms on the shrine's grounds

Notice

The shrine's honden (main hall) will undergo major renovation from May 2023 to 2026. During this period, the shrine will set up a unique temporary hall in front of the honden. This one-story building will feature trees and grass on the roof to harmonize with the encircling environment.

Latest on Dazaifu Tenmangu

Dazaifu Tenmangu is one of Fukuoka's most famous shrines. Dedicated to the spirit of famed scholar and former court official Sugawara Michizane, the grounds of the shrine are covered in plum trees. Every year around mid-February, the first sign of spring - in the form of dark pink, white and wine-red petals - appear on the shrine's plum trees. A festival featuring a bonsai exhibit, street food and copious amounts of plum wine usually takes place around the third or fourth weekend in February.

More info

Find out more about Dazaifu Tenmangu.

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Mandy Bartok

By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

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Radica Sooknarine

Radica Sooknarine 9 years ago

Beautiful photos. I agree - the plum bonsai is gorgeous!

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Shaymaa Barakat 9 years ago

The bonsai and the plum blossoms looks amazing, Thank you so much for sharing.

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Mandy Bartok

Mandy Bartok Photographer 9 years ago

You're welcome, Shaymaa. I hope to head up there next week as well to catch the iris garden in bloom.

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