In the backpacking days of year gone by my main sources of information were the Lonely Planet (probably why I’ve stuck to that trusted source), exchanged stories with other travellers and guides and leaflets at various points of interest. Off the beaten track points of interest in Japan don’t serve Gaijins too well. I think I learn more about the reason for certain shrines in researching destinations compared to actually visiting them. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine was no different. Japan-guide.com and Lonely Planet being the 2 main sources as well as anything else a search on the inter-web brings up. A stark contrast of my round the world trip 10 years ago. How the world has changed. (and how old do I sounds saying that!)

The Tenmangu Shrine was in a beautiful setting, but I think I had picked a day when every single school decided to visit the same shrine. Though it has to be said I’ve seen literally school loads of kids at airport check in all patiently sitting on the floor cross legged chatting quietly in rows. Amazing level of discipline. Cut a long story short, this clever fella Michizane passed away after being exiled and a bunch of bad tings happened. Like earthquakes and dat. So now they pray to this shrine to stop dem tings. (sorry was reading a funny social media response from Argos which I thought I’d try, maybe badly may homage to). The better explanation is on Japan-guide.com

On of the main reasons I came to Dazaifu was to see the Kyushu National Museum. A pretty impressive building housing a main gallery of historic artefacts of times before the Japan as we know it existed so also explains certainly interesting similarities with other south east asian cultures. There was also an interesting special exhibition on sacred treasures from shinto shrines and outlined the development of deities over time. Pretty interesting stuff.

The transport network isn’t really set up for easy public transport access to Dazaifu. A bit of a walk between independent train networks. It would be a while until I would get to the right line to Nagasaki so I thought I’d grab lunch here. Rarely do places charge a premium in tourist hotspots so not much of an issue. Pretty enjoyable tempura soba. Got the slurping technique down to a tee. Going to look like a right rude eater when I get back to London – Ha!

Next Nagasaki