The site of the Dazaifu government office is known as “Tofuro.” During the Nara and Heian periods, the Dazaifu was responsible for supervising Japan’s maritime frontier, as well as administering the nine provinces and two islands of the Saikaido (modern Kyushu). In those days, a great edifice with vermilion lacquered columns and a tiled roof stood at the foot of Mount Ono. Today all that remains is a park with the huge foundation stones of the original structures.
- 1 min read
Tofuro - Dazaifu Government Center
An important location dating from the Nara & Heian era
![Tony Mariani Tony Mariani](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/347554577/240x240!/5811119967ba815c4bbc0174.jpg)
By Tony Mariani
Community writer
![Dazaifu Government Center](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24927/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24927.jpg)
Dazaifu Government Center
![An information board at the Dazaifu Government Center](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24928/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24928.jpg)
An information board at the Dazaifu Government Center
![The location of the once-grand entrance gate](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24929/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24929.jpg)
The location of the once-grand entrance gate (Photo: Tony Marian)
![Where the gate stood](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24930/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24930.jpg)
Where the gate stood
![A scale reproduction of the gate from Kyushu National Museum](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24931/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24931.jpg)
A scale reproduction of the gate from Kyushu National Museum
![Mount Ono stands in the background](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24932/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24932.jpg)
Mount Ono stands in the background
![Ancient stone foundations for each of the pillars](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24933/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24933.jpg)
Ancient stone foundations for each of the pillars
![An ancient irrigation ditch](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24934/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24934.jpg)
An ancient irrigation ditch
![Important artifacts were recovered from the site](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24935/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24935.jpg)
Important artifacts were recovered from the site
![Ruins embedded in a tree](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24936/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24936.jpg)
Ruins embedded in a tree
![A general view of the overnment grounds](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24937/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24937.jpg)
A general view of the overnment grounds
![Memorial pillars marking the Dazaifu Government Center](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3974-24938/1000/fukuoka-tofuro-dazaifu-government-center-24938.jpg)
Memorial pillars marking the Dazaifu Government Center
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