Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu seems to be a typical Shinto shrine, but each shrine is a unique piece of Japanese culture, history and traditions. Hundreds of Tenmangu shrines all over Japan are dedicated to Tenman-Tenjin, the deity of education who was actually a real person. Sugawara no Michizane lived between 845-903 in the Heian Era and was well known as a scholar, a poet and an ambassador. He was unfairly exiled by political rivals, and was later consecrated as the God of Education.
Local students and their parents come to Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu to pray for successful exams or for good luck when applying to a prestigious school or university. Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu's buildings are made of wood, some of them traditionally colored in red.
My visit occurred in the evening and I climbed up many stairs to get to the shrine. In the evening darkness came quickly and I enjoyed the view of the illuminated shrine. It definitely added some mystery to the atmosphere of the place!
Getting there
Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu is located a short 3 minute walk from JR Tsutsujigaoka Station, on the Senseki Line. Alternatively, you can get there by walking about 10 minutes from the East Exit of Sendai Station.
