日本NipponPlan

Dazaifu

Day trip from Fukuoka

A shrine town 30 minutes from the city, with a famous plum-tree shrine.

Worth a day?

Yes. Dazaifu is a short, easy trip to a famous shrine, its plum-tree grounds and the Kyushu National Museum. It is a poor choice if you want a long outdoor hike or a lively night out.

Pick your pace

Dazaifu works as a slow day or a full one. Choose the pace that fits yours and the stops that suit it come first. Nothing is removed.

Pick one and the stops reorder. Nothing is hidden. Clear

Short stops and plenty of time to sit.

A day in 3 stops

In the order that suits your pace.

  1. 0.5 hAfternoonUmegae-mochi rice cakes 餅A warm grilled rice cake with sweet bean paste, sold on the approach street.
  2. 2 hMorningDazaifu Tenmangu shrine 梅A large shrine with a pond, bridges and thousands of plum trees. Students pray here.
  3. 2 hAfternoonKyushu National Museum 博A modern museum about the culture of Japan and Asia, next to the shrine. Good in rain.

How to get there

FastestNishitetsu Railway, Tenjin-Omuta Line, then Dazaifu Line → Dazaifu

Time
30 min
Changes
1
Seat
No booking
  1. Take the Tenjin-Omuta Line from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station, next to Tenjin subway station.
  2. Change at Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Station to the Dazaifu Line.
  3. At Dazaifu Station, walk about 250 m to the shrine.
A cheaper way

The Japan Rail Pass does not cover Nishitetsu trains, but a one-day Nishitetsu sightseeing ticket covers the Dazaifu round trip, according to Fukuoka Now; check its current terms.

Coming back. Return by the same two lines, changing at Futsukaichi. The sources did not give last trains, so check the Nishitetsu timetable before you go.

Typical times. Check the timetable before you go.

Stay a night

Sleep in Fukuoka and come by train, because the trip takes about 30 minutes each way and you do not need a bed in Dazaifu.

Stay in DazaifuDazaifu has small hotels in restored old houses near the shrine. The town is busy by day and quiet at night, and some of these hotels can arrange an after-dark visit to the main shrine.Find stays in Dazaifu

Stays link to partner sites. A commission never changes our advice.

Read more

Posts that help you plan this day.

Guides5 min readDazaifu from Fukuoka: a shrine, a plum tree and a sweet stopA calm day in Dazaifu from Fukuoka: the Tenmangu shrine, the plum trees, the old bridge and the sweet called umegae mochi.Guides5 min readHiroshima from Fukuoka: Peace Park and MiyajimaA day from Fukuoka to Hiroshima: the Peace Memorial Park and museum, a ferry to Miyajima and the tide check for the floating torii.Guides5 min readNakasu and Watanabe-dori: a Fukuoka evening by the riverNakasu is a river island of food stalls and bars in Fukuoka. Here is how to enjoy an evening by the river, eat well and stay safe and respectful after dark.