Hofu Tenmangu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Hofu city (防府市), Yamaguchi Prefecture (山口県). This sacred site holds a significant place in Japanese culture and history, drawing visitors from across the country.
This shrine enshrines Michizane Sugawara (菅原道真), who is famous as the god of learning. There are approximately 12,000 shrines around Japan that enshrine him, but the first one is said to be Hofu Tenmangu Shrine. It is also counted as one of the Three Tenjin Shrines in Japan, along with Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto and Dazaifu Tenmangu in Fukuoka. In addition to the main shrine, there is much to see within the precincts, and there are many cultural assets that still exist that tell the history of Hofu, such as Shunpu-ro (春風楼) and Hosho-an (芳松庵).
Admission fee
Free to visit
Opening hours
8:30 ～ 20:00
Attractions
There are various attractions at Hofu Tenmangu Shrine, introduce each of them.
Omotesando and the road leading to the shrine grounds
There is a large stone torii gate at the entrance to Hofu Tenmangu Shrine. Go through this torii gate and start sightseeing at Hofu Tenmangu Shrine.
When you pass through the stone torii gate, you will first see Ume-teracce (うめてらす)on your right. Here you can get tourist information, take a break, eat, and buy souvenirs. It would be a good idea to get some tourist information first and then buy some souvenirs on your way back.
Walk a little further and you will see a bronze torii gate and a statue of a guardian dog. These two pairs of large guardian dogs protect the sacred precincts. Once you pass through here, you will see a long staircase that leads to the main shrine.
Once you pass through the bronze torii gate, you can find Sakatari Shrine (酒垂神社) on your right. In the old days, people here quenched their thirst by drinking water that gushed out from a giant rock in the mountain, but the water soon turned into a fragrant and delicious drink. The rock was called Sakatari Rock (酒垂岩), and a shrine was built to enshrine it and named Sakatari Shrine. Although it is a small shrine, it is now worshiped as the god of business prosperity and prosperity.
Walk a little further and you will find the Daisenbo ato (大専坊跡) on your left and Hosho-an (芳松庵) on your right. Daisenbo ato used to play a major role as the residence of the official who managed the shrine. Hosho-an is a tea room where you can enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets, surrounded by a Japanese garden. Details about Hosho-an are described as below.
As you go up the stone steps, you will see the magnificent gate of Hofu Tenmangu Shrine. Climb the stone steps and head to the gate.
Worship to the main shrine
Hofu Tenmangu Shrine has various blessings such as praying for safe childbirth and prosperous business, but many people also visit to pray for success in entrance exams and academic success.
Before worship, first do Temizu (手水) and wash your hands. For Temizu, first you pick up a ladle with your right hand. Then fill it with water and rinse your left hand. Next, switch hands and rinse your right hand. Hold the ladle with your right hand and pour a little water into your left palm. Then rinse your mouth and spit it out on the ground. Never touch the ladle with your lips. it’s considered very rude. Finally, rinse the ladle handle with the remaining water. Put the ladle back the way it was before.
After finish washing your hands, go through the multi-story gate and enter the main shrine. When you arrive in front of the offering box in the main shrine, first toss the money in the offering box. Then, bow twice, clap your hands also twice and bow once again. Basically, this method can be used anywhere, so it’s good to remember it once. By the way, it is recommended to toss a 5 yen coin in the offering box in Japan. Now your wish may come true.
Inside the multi-story gate, in addition to the place where you can pray, there is a place where you can buy charms and omikuji. At Hofu Tenmangu Shrine, there is omikuji in the shape of a sea bream called a “tai omikuji (鯛おみくじ)”. You fish the fortune with a fishing rod and then open it, so even opening the fortune is a fun little attraction.
Hosho-an (芳松庵)
Hosho-an is a tea room located inside the torii gate of Hofu Tenmangu Shrine, where you can enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets.
Opening hour : 9:30～16:00
Admission fee : 500 yen (includes matcha and sweets)
※ Admission to the garden is free
At Hosho-an, you can not only enjoy matcha, but also enjoy the Japanese garden and Japanese architecture. Moreover, although there is a fee to enjoy matcha, visiting the Japanese garden and buildings is free.
Japanese gardens that can be enjoyed for free are very rare. The garden is always maintained and very beautiful, so I definitely recommend visiting.
Shunpu-ro (春風楼) with great structure and view
Shunpu-ro is a building that stands in the southwest corner of the precincts of Hofu Tenmangu Shrine. It was originally designed to be a five-storied pagoda, but due to financial difficulties, the design was changed midway through to the current style of building, making it an extremely unusual structure.
The woodwork under the floor of this building is the same as that used under the eaves of the five-story pagoda when construction first began.
This building has a wide and open structure, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Hofu from here.
Access
You can access Hofu Tenmangu on foot or by bus from JR Hofu station (防府駅).
If you access on foot
Exit the North Exit (北口) of JR Hofu Station and head north. You will arrive at Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in about 25 minutes.
If you access by bus
Exit the North Exit (北口) of JR Hofu Station and walk to bus stop No.2 and take the bus bound for Amidaji Temple (阿弥陀寺). Get off at Hofu Tenmangu Shrine (防府天満宮) bus stop.
Fee : 170 yen
Time : about 5 min
Summary
Hofu Tenmangu Shrine, Japan’s first Tenjin shrine, is filled with many Japanese traditions. There are many ways to enjoy it, such as worship, enjoying the architecture, enjoying the Japanese garden, only feeling the Japanese atmosphere. I’m sure that anyone interested in Japanese culture will never regret coming here.
Suou Kokubunji Temple and Mohri Garden are also nearby, so you can also go sightseeing together.
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