An autumn sacred procession in Dazaifu, with a mikoshi linking places associated with Michizane
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Shinko Ceremony
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- September. The descends to Enoki Shrine around midnight on the night before the autumn equinox, then makes its way up to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine on the afternoon of the autumn equinox.
- Location
- Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Enoki Shrine
- Area
- Fukuoka Prefecture・Dazaifu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 10 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Shinko Ceremony is a sacred procession held in remembrance of Sugawara no Michizane, with the mikoshi traveling between Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and Enoki Shrine. During the ceremony, “Take no Kyoku,” featuring sasara dance, fan dance, shime-daiko, and flute, is also offered.
About Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Shinko Ceremony
The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Shinko Ceremony is a sacred procession held in remembrance of Sugawara no Michizane, who died in Dazaifu.
The mikoshi carrying Michizane’s divine spirit descends to Enoki Shrine, the place of his exile, and spends the night there.
The following afternoon, the mikoshi returns to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
It is designated an intangible folk cultural property of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the procession in which the mikoshi descends to Enoki Shrine around midnight on the night before the autumn equinox, where it spends the night.
The following afternoon, the mikoshi returns up to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
During the ceremony, “Take no Kyoku,” comprising sasara dance, fan dance, shime-daiko, and flute, is also offered.
You can follow the structure of the festival through both the mikoshi’s route and the performing arts offered.
An autumn sacred procession in Dazaifu, with a mikoshi linking places associated with Michizane
What to expect
During the ceremony, the mikoshi carrying Michizane’s divine spirit descends from Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine to Enoki Shrine around midnight on the night before the autumn equinox.
The mikoshi spends the night at Enoki Shrine, then makes its way up to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine on the afternoon of the autumn equinox.
During the Shinko Ceremony, “Take no Kyoku,” passed down by the Take no Kyoku Preservation Society, is offered, featuring sasara dance, fan dance, shime-daiko, and flute.
In Take no Kyoku, 1 child performs the fan dance, while 7 adults play the shime-daiko and flute.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Enoki Shrine (Dazaifu City)
Event venue 福岡県太宰府市 太宰府天満宮
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Season
September.
The mikoshi descends to Enoki Shrine around midnight on the night before the autumn equinox, then makes its way up to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine on the afternoon of the autumn equinox.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Fukuoka Prefecture / Dazaifu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
九州国立博物館
福岡県大宰府市にある国立博物館
太宰府天満宮
福岡県太宰府市にある神社
竈門神社
福岡県太宰府市にある神社
Origins and History of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Shinko Ceremony
The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Shinko Ceremony is said to have been started in Kowa 3 (1101) by Dazai Gon no Sochi Ōe no Masafusa, in remembrance of Sugawara no Michizane, who died in Dazaifu.
The tradition is that Michizane’s divine spirit is placed in a mikoshi, which descends to Enoki Shrine, the site of his exile, and returns to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine the following day.
In Showa 36October 21, it was designated by Fukuoka Prefecture.
Official information
Dazaifu City Official Website, “Designated Cultural Properties in the City: Intangible Folk Cultural Properties”
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Shinko Ceremony at a Glance
The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Shinko Ceremony is a sacred procession held in remembrance of Sugawara no Michizane, with the mikoshi traveling between Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and Enoki Shrine.
It descends to Enoki Shrine around midnight on the night before the autumn equinox, spends the night there, and returns to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine on the afternoon of the autumn equinox.
During the ceremony, “Take no Kyoku,” featuring sasara dance, fan dance, shime-daiko, and flute, is also offered.
It is said to have begun in Kowa 3 (1101) and is an intangible folk cultural property designated by Fukuoka Prefecture.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
