Dazaifu, Fukuoka / 観世音寺
Kanzeon-ji Temple
A temple founded in the late 7th century by Emperor Tenji in memory of his mother, Empress Saimei, and mentioned in "The Tale of Genji"; it was the centre of temples in Kyushu and one of the three great ordination platforms. The lecture hall and main hall were rebuilt in the early Edo period, and it has Japan's oldest temple bell (a National Treasure), cast about 1,300 years ago. 16 of its 18 Heian-to-Kamakura Buddhist statues, all Important Cultural Properties, including 5 m figures, can be seen in the neighbouring treasure house.
Last official check
26 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
25 Dec 2026
Decide before you go
A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.
- Getting there
- Car
- Admission
- Paid (see the price below)
- Closing days
- Has closing days (see below)
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
Grounds open at any time; treasure house 9:00-17:00.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Closed
Open every day.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Admission
Grounds free. Treasure house: adults 500 yen, university and high school 300 yen, elementary and junior high 150 yen.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Getting there
About 10 minutes from the Dazaifu IC.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
30 spaces.
Checked 26 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
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Dazaifu, Fukuoka (Japanese address: 福岡県太宰府市観世音寺5-6-1)
Official site: https://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/spot/10806
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
- No photo yetDazaifu Government Office RuinsFukuokaLess than 1 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetDazaifu Tenmangu ShrineFukuoka1 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetKyushu National MuseumFukuoka2 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetHomangu Kamado ShrineFukuoka3 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetNakasu River CruiseFukuoka14 km away (straight line)
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
The National Treasure bell is rung only on New Year's Eve (the first 70-80 people with numbered tickets, handed out from about 22:00, can ring it).
Checked 26 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
Verification log
- 26 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/spot/10806Hours, closing days, fees, access, parking, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.