Japan Heritage Dazaifu

The Western Capital Connected to the World

Maps

Maps

• 

  Kanzeon-ji Temple

  　Empress Saimei headed to Baekje (One of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea which ceased to exist in the year 660) to restore it. However, she died in Tsukushi (Fukuoka) in the year 661.
  　Kanzeon-ji Temple was built on the wish of her son, Emperor Tenji in memory of her. It took about 80 years to complete and held a memorial service for the finished Garan (a complex of temple buildings) in the year 746. In 761, “Kaidan-in” was also built for delivering the commandments of Buddhism.
  　Kanzeon-ji Temple was called “Fu-no-odera (A Large Temple of the Province)” and it was the top Buddhism temple in Kyushu.

  See all

  Kanzeon-ji Temple

  　Empress Saimei headed to Baekje (One of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea which ceased to exist in the year 660) to restore it. However, she died in Tsukushi (Fukuoka) in the year 661.
  　Kanzeon-ji Temple was built on the wish of her son, Emperor Tenji in memory of her. It took about 80 years to complete and held a memorial service for the finished Garan (a complex of temple buildings) in the year 746. In 761, “Kaidan-in” was also built for delivering the commandments of Buddhism.
  　Kanzeon-ji Temple was called “Fu-no-odera (A Large Temple of the Province)” and it was the top Buddhism temple in Kyushu.

  See all
• 

  Kaidan-in Temple

  　“Kairitsu” is a religious commandment that monks have to follow. Followed this receiving ceremony, a person became a priest or nun.
  　This Buddhist commandment was brought by a monk named Ganjin from the Tang dynasty. Ganjin finally came to Japan after 6 attempts during which time he lost his vision. On the way to Heijokyo he stopped at Kanzeon-ji Temple and in December 735, he presented the first Buddhist commandment in Japan.
  　In the year 761, Kaidan-in was built in Kanzeon-ji Temple as a place for delivering the commandments of Buddhism in Kyushu. Along with Todai-ji Temple (Nara) and Shimotsuke Yakushi-ji Temple (Tochigi), it was included among “Three Official Ordination Halls in Japan”.

  See all

  Kaidan-in Temple

  　“Kairitsu” is a religious commandment that monks have to follow. Followed this receiving ceremony, a person became a priest or nun.
  　This Buddhist commandment was brought by a monk named Ganjin from the Tang dynasty. Ganjin finally came to Japan after 6 attempts during which time he lost his vision. On the way to Heijokyo he stopped at Kanzeon-ji Temple and in December 735, he presented the first Buddhist commandment in Japan.
  　In the year 761, Kaidan-in was built in Kanzeon-ji Temple as a place for delivering the commandments of Buddhism in Kyushu. Along with Todai-ji Temple (Nara) and Shimotsuke Yakushi-ji Temple (Tochigi), it was included among “Three Official Ordination Halls in Japan”.

  See all
• 

  Site of Dazaifu Gakko-in (Educational Institution)

  　Dazaifu Gakko-in was called “Fu-gakko”, “Gakushou (students)” “Isei (medical students)” and “Sansei (math students)” more than 200 people were studying here. They were from powerful families in north Kyushu (currently Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Oita).
  　“Gakushou” studied the basic literature of Confucianism, such as “The Analects of Confucius” and “The Book of Filial Piety”, as necessary liberal arts to become public servants.
  　“Isei” studied about medicines and medical treatments, and became doctors.
  　“Sansei” studied arithmetic and became skilled public servants in accounting or surveying.

  See all

  Site of Dazaifu Gakko-in (Educational Institution)

  　Dazaifu Gakko-in was called “Fu-gakko”, “Gakushou (students)” “Isei (medical students)” and “Sansei (math students)” more than 200 people were studying here. They were from powerful families in north Kyushu (currently Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Oita).
  　“Gakushou” studied the basic literature of Confucianism, such as “The Analects of Confucius” and “The Book of Filial Piety”, as necessary liberal arts to become public servants.
  　“Isei” studied about medicines and medical treatments, and became doctors.
  　“Sansei” studied arithmetic and became skilled public servants in accounting or surveying.

  See all
• 

  Ruins of the Dazaifu Government Office

  　This Government Office is the center of Dazaifu. This structure is similar to the palace of the capital.
  　Going up the stairs from the south side leads to “Site of South Gate”. Inside was surrounded by walls. If you keep going you will reach “Site of Central Gate”. If you keep going farther it takes you to a wide garden (space) surrounded by a corridor continuing from the Central Gate. This may be a place for government affairs, ceremonies or sometimes for diplomatic protocols.
  　The elevated area at the center (center of North) is “Ruins of Seiden (main building)”. Each of two “Ruins of Wakiden” are located in each East and West side of the garden.
  　At the back of Seiden, there is a “Ruin of Kouden (back building)”. This is considered as the place where Sochi (Governor of Dazaifu) went about his duties.
  
  　Next, let’s see the surrounding ruins of the Government Office.
  　“Ono-jo” fortress is located on the top of a mountain in the North, and “Kii-jo” fortress is located on the top of a mountain to the south. Both mountain fortresses were built in 665 and protected as the outer walls of “The Western Capital” Dazaifu.
  　To the east, on “Tsukiyama” hill, it has been said that a water clock was placed to tell the hour.
  　To the west, on “Kura-no-tsukasa” hill, huge ruins of foundation stones still remain. 　
  　In the south area, there were Government offices.In front of them there was Suzaku-mon Gate. From there Suzaku Road(or South to North Road) was extended leading to the ancient town.

  See all

  Ruins of the Dazaifu Government Office

  　This Government Office is the center of Dazaifu. This structure is similar to the palace of the capital.
  　Going up the stairs from the south side leads to “Site of South Gate”. Inside was surrounded by walls. If you keep going you will reach “Site of Central Gate”. If you keep going farther it takes you to a wide garden (space) surrounded by a corridor continuing from the Central Gate. This may be a place for government affairs, ceremonies or sometimes for diplomatic protocols.
  　The elevated area at the center (center of North) is “Ruins of Seiden (main building)”. Each of two “Ruins of Wakiden” are located in each East and West side of the garden.
  　At the back of Seiden, there is a “Ruin of Kouden (back building)”. This is considered as the place where Sochi (Governor of Dazaifu) went about his duties.
  
  　Next, let’s see the surrounding ruins of the Government Office.
  　“Ono-jo” fortress is located on the top of a mountain in the North, and “Kii-jo” fortress is located on the top of a mountain to the south. Both mountain fortresses were built in 665 and protected as the outer walls of “The Western Capital” Dazaifu.
  　To the east, on “Tsukiyama” hill, it has been said that a water clock was placed to tell the hour.
  　To the west, on “Kura-no-tsukasa” hill, huge ruins of foundation stones still remain. 　
  　In the south area, there were Government offices.In front of them there was Suzaku-mon Gate. From there Suzaku Road(or South to North Road) was extended leading to the ancient town.

  See all
• 

  Dazaifu Exhibition Hall

  　This facility is preserving and exhibiting remaining ditches found during the investigation of the site. It explains the history of Dazaifu and displays the excavated articles.
  You can enjoy a reconstructed model of the Dazaifu Government Office, a diorama of a “Plum-Blossom Party” by Hakata puppeteers and ancient traditional Japanese cuisine.
  　There are experienced volunteers on hand to explain the historical sites and take you on a tour of the city.
  

  
  

  　No fee is required / Open from 9:00a.m to 4:30p.m.
  　　Notification:　The fee will be charged from July 2, 2019 (Tuesday).
  　　　 　Entrance fee:
  　　　　　　　Adult 200 yen,
  　　　　　　　High school and university students 100 yen,
  　　　　 Free:　Junior high school students and below
  

  Closed on Mondays and during the end of the year and new year holidays (December 28th to January 4th)
  When Monday is a national holiday or a substitute holiday the next day will be closed.
  　TEL　092-922-7811　　
  　URL　http://www.kotodazaifu.net/index.html
  

  
  

  See all

  Dazaifu Exhibition Hall

  　This facility is preserving and exhibiting remaining ditches found during the investigation of the site. It explains the history of Dazaifu and displays the excavated articles.
  You can enjoy a reconstructed model of the Dazaifu Government Office, a diorama of a “Plum-Blossom Party” by Hakata puppeteers and ancient traditional Japanese cuisine.
  　There are experienced volunteers on hand to explain the historical sites and take you on a tour of the city.
  

  
  

  　No fee is required / Open from 9:00a.m to 4:30p.m.
  　　Notification:　The fee will be charged from July 2, 2019 (Tuesday).
  　　　 　Entrance fee:
  　　　　　　　Adult 200 yen,
  　　　　　　　High school and university students 100 yen,
  　　　　 Free:　Junior high school students and below
  

  Closed on Mondays and during the end of the year and new year holidays (December 28th to January 4th)
  When Monday is a national holiday or a substitute holiday the next day will be closed.
  　TEL　092-922-7811　　
  　URL　http://www.kotodazaifu.net/index.html
  

  
  

  See all
• 

  Archeological location site of the Oka Corps Seal

  　“Okadan-in (seal)” was found in Mizuki Elementary school in the year 1899. It was the official seal of “Oka-dan” one of the army corps placed in ancient Chikuzen-koku province.
  　It was made with copper and measured 4.2cm in length, 4.1cm in width and 5.2cm in height (It is one of the important cultural properties of Japan). Now, it is in the Tokyo National Museum.
  　Several hundred to a thousand soldiers belonged to this army corps. “Oka” is a name of a place on the west side of what is currently Kitakyushu City, so probably the army corps consisted of people from this area.
  　　＊The monument of the picture is not available to the public since it’s located in the property of an elementary school.

  See all

  Archeological location site of the Oka Corps Seal

  　“Okadan-in (seal)” was found in Mizuki Elementary school in the year 1899. It was the official seal of “Oka-dan” one of the army corps placed in ancient Chikuzen-koku province.
  　It was made with copper and measured 4.2cm in length, 4.1cm in width and 5.2cm in height (It is one of the important cultural properties of Japan). Now, it is in the Tokyo National Museum.
  　Several hundred to a thousand soldiers belonged to this army corps. “Oka” is a name of a place on the west side of what is currently Kitakyushu City, so probably the army corps consisted of people from this area.
  　　＊The monument of the picture is not available to the public since it’s located in the property of an elementary school.

  See all
• 

  Archeological location site of the Corps Seals

  　“Mikasadan-in (seal)” was found in the year 1927. It was the official seal of “Mikasa-dan” one of the army corps placed in ancient Chikuzen-koku province.
  　It was made with copper and measured 4.2cm in width and length and 5.2cm in height. (It is one of the important cultural properties of Japan) Now, it is in the Tokyo National Museum.
  
  　Several hundred to a thousand soldiers belonged to this army corps. “Mikasa” is the name of a place in Dazaifu, so probably the army corps consisted of people from this area.

  See all

  Archeological location site of the Corps Seals

  　“Mikasadan-in (seal)” was found in the year 1927. It was the official seal of “Mikasa-dan” one of the army corps placed in ancient Chikuzen-koku province.
  　It was made with copper and measured 4.2cm in width and length and 5.2cm in height. (It is one of the important cultural properties of Japan) Now, it is in the Tokyo National Museum.
  
  　Several hundred to a thousand soldiers belonged to this army corps. “Mikasa” is the name of a place in Dazaifu, so probably the army corps consisted of people from this area.

  See all
• 

  Dazaifu Fureai Museum

  　This is the central facility of the “promenade of history” which runs from Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine to the Ruins of Mizuki fortress.
  　There are many projects and exhibitions that help you to connect with the histories and cultures of Dazaifu. You also can’t miss the 1/10 scale　model of the Chikuzen Kokubun-ji Temple Shichijunoto(Seven-story pagoda).

  
  

  　No fee is required / Open from 9a.m. to 7p.m.
  　Closed on Mondays (When Monday is a national holiday or a substitute holiday the next day will be closed)
  　TEL　092-928-0800　　
  　FAX　092-928-0802　　
  　URL　https://dazaifu-bunka.or.jp/
  
  

  
  

  See all

  Dazaifu Fureai Museum

  　This is the central facility of the “promenade of history” which runs from Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine to the Ruins of Mizuki fortress.
  　There are many projects and exhibitions that help you to connect with the histories and cultures of Dazaifu. You also can’t miss the 1/10 scale　model of the Chikuzen Kokubun-ji Temple Shichijunoto(Seven-story pagoda).

  
  

  　No fee is required / Open from 9a.m. to 7p.m.
  　Closed on Mondays (When Monday is a national holiday or a substitute holiday the next day will be closed)
  　TEL　092-928-0800　　
  　FAX　092-928-0802　　
  　URL　https://dazaifu-bunka.or.jp/
  
  

  
  

  See all
• 

  Ruins of Chikuzen Kokubun-ji

  　In the year 741, Emperor Shomu announced that he would build Kokubun-ji Temples for monks and Kokubun-niji Temples for nuns all over Japan and place Buddhist scriptures in Shichiju-no-to (Seven-Story pagoda). Thus Chikuzen Kokubun-ji Temple was the earliest built temple in Kyushu, completed inthe year756.
  　Investigations of ruins of halls and towers have been done and partially maintained.

  See all

  Ruins of Chikuzen Kokubun-ji

  　In the year 741, Emperor Shomu announced that he would build Kokubun-ji Temples for monks and Kokubun-niji Temples for nuns all over Japan and place Buddhist scriptures in Shichiju-no-to (Seven-Story pagoda). Thus Chikuzen Kokubun-ji Temple was the earliest built temple in Kyushu, completed inthe year756.
  　Investigations of ruins of halls and towers have been done and partially maintained.

  See all
• 

  Ruins of Mizuki fortress (East gate area)

  　Mizuki was a fortress built in the year 664 to protect the northwest of Dazaifu.
  　It’s like “The Great Wall” of China, and it consisted of a 60m wide outer moat, and rammed earth wall ramparts of about 1.2km long, about 80m wide and about 9m high. This structure combined with geographic features around the area prevented entry from outside.
  　Two gates located in the east and west were for meeting and parting with people who came and left Dazaifu and many stories were born here.

  See all

  Ruins of Mizuki fortress (East gate area)

  　Mizuki was a fortress built in the year 664 to protect the northwest of Dazaifu.
  　It’s like “The Great Wall” of China, and it consisted of a 60m wide outer moat, and rammed earth wall ramparts of about 1.2km long, about 80m wide and about 9m high. This structure combined with geographic features around the area prevented entry from outside.
  　Two gates located in the east and west were for meeting and parting with people who came and left Dazaifu and many stories were born here.

  See all

• List
• Next