Hofu Tenman-gu Shrine

Shrine

3.0

The Hofu Tenman-gu Shrine is a Shinto Shrine in Hofu City that is dedicated to the poet and statesman Sugawara no Michizane, deified as Tenjin, the God of Learning. It ranks alongside the Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine in Kyoto and the Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine in Fukuoka as one of the Three Great Tenjin Shrines of Japan. As Sugawara no Michizane had been very impressed by Hofu while traveling to Dazaifu in Kyushu, it was believed that his spirit had returned to Hofu after his death, and so the first Tenman-gu Shrine in Japan was built here in 904. The imposing vermillion-painted Ro-mon (two-storied gate) and the view from the Shumpuro-ro hall inside the Shrine precincts should not be missed.

Spot details

Address: Yamaguchi Pref. Houfushi Matsuzakichou 14-1 Map
Area: Yamaguchi / Hofu Area
Phone: 0835237700
Hours: [Amulet giving] 8:30-20:00
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Worship] Free
Parking Lot: Available(500spaces)
Credit Card: Available(VISA, MasterCard, JCB)
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Available (Yamaguchi free Wi-Fi)
English Menu: Available
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day: Yes
Estimated stay time: 0-30 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Available
Infant friendly: Available

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Articles about this spot

Review

Sake container as donation box

Reviewed : 2020.04.15

This small shrine is located on your right hand side, when you go up the gateway to Hofu Tenmangu. It is very easy to find, because it’s donation box is quite unique. It is in the form of a Sake...
防府天満宮の階段上り口に有ります。

Reviewed : 2021.11.22

防府天満宮の階段の下に在る酒樽がお賽銭箱の珍しい神社です。説明書からですが、もともと美味しい水が出ていたところが菅公の神威により美味しい美酒の味に変わったと喜んだそうです。これだけでは酒になったのか、酒の味だけなのか分かりませんが前者なら米が焚けずに困ったのではないかと突っ込みたくなります。
商売繁盛の神です。

Reviewed : 2021.01.22

防府天満宮の参道の石段途中にある小さな神社。天満宮社殿の造営工事に携わった人々が天神山の巨石から湧き出る水で喉を潤していたら、いつしかその水が香り高い美酒の味に変わったことから、その岩を祀って祠をつくり酒垂神社と名付けたそうです。素通りしてしまいそうなくらい目立たないものでしたが、小さい鳥居や祠と酒樽のお賽銭箱がありました。