Hofu, Yamaguchi / 防府天満宮

Hofu Tenmangu Shrine

Of the about 12,000 shrines in Japan dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, famous as the god of learning, Hofu Tenmangu is said to be the first. Many visit to pray for passing exams and success in study, and the ema votive plaques hung in the grounds are full of wishes. Events are held through the year, such as New Year visits and the Goshinkosai (Hadakabo) festival in November, known as a rough festival, and in the plum season, which Michizane loved, a "plum festival" is held for about two weeks. The grounds also have the Shunpuro, the history museum and the Hoshoan tea house.

Last official check

27 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

26 Dec 2026

Decide before you go

A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.

Getting there: Train / Bus / Car
Admission: Paid (see the price below)
Closing days: Open every day (check the notes below)
Booking: Some things need booking (see the rows below)

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.

Opening hours: Gates open 6:00-20:00 (prayer reception 8:30-16:30).
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Closed: Open every day.
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Admission: History museum 800 yen (high school and under free); Hoshoan tea house 800 yen (with matcha and sweets; groups of 5 or more must book ahead); the garden is free.
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Getting there: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Hofu Station; or bus for Amidaji from stop 2 at the Tenjin (north) exit, about 5 minutes to Hofu Tenmangu, then about 3 minutes on foot; about 10 minutes by car from Hofu-higashi IC or Hofu-nishi IC (Sanyo Expressway).
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Parking: Tenjinyama Park car park (500 spaces), free; there is also a free car park opposite Omotesando Ume Terrace.
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Payment: Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Accessibility: Accessible toilets (shrine office, Tenjinyama Park car park); nursing rooms (prayer reception, Kobaiden).
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site

Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know

Address: Hofu, Yamaguchi (Japanese address: 山口県防府市松崎町14-1)

Official site: https://yamaguchi-tourism.jp/spot/detail_14780.html

Location

Smaller pins are other spots nearby.

Open in Google Maps Get directions

Nearby spots

Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.

Crowds

Crowd level: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Best time to visit: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Peak time: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Busiest days: Crowded at New Year visits and the Goshinkosai (Hadakabo) festival in November.
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Busiest season: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Latest traveler report: None yet

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps

Visiting respectfully

RulesCoach parking must be booked in advance at New Year (January 1-3) and the Goshinkosai (4th Saturday of November and the next day) because of traffic control.Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site

Verification log

27 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://yamaguchi-tourism.jp/spot/detail_14780.htmlHours, closing days, fees, access, parking, facilities, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.