“The Western Capital”, An Ancient International City With A Rich 1300-Year History, Registered As A Japan Heritage Site

A Gateway of Encounters and Farewells The Mizuki East Gate Ruins

A fortress gate spanning 1.2 km in length built at Mizuki Fortress. The official road connecting to the capital passed through here, making this a place of encounters and farewells for those assigned here from the city. A poem by Otomo no Tabito written upon bidding farewell to the prostitute Kojima upon returning to the capital is famous in Japan.

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The Center of Politics and Diplomacy Dazaifu Government Office Ruins

This was a place of government affairs and ceremony in the heart of Dazaifu, which governed the entire Kyushu area, and was modeled after a city palace with large buildings covered in beautifully patterned tiles lined up in symmetrical rows. Famous Man'yoshu poet Otomo no Tabito and others also conducted their political affairs here.

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Which Tells of Exchange With the Continent to This Day Kanzeon-ji Temple

Kanzeon-ji Temple, built at the request of Emperor Tenji to memorialize Emperor Saimei, who died in Tsukushi, this large temple is the pinnacle of Buddhist temples in Kyushu. This temple, which also had a musical band that performed court song and dance originating from the continent, was a place of exchange, and its many valuable cultural assets, such as its statues and roof tiles, can still be seen today.

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Worshipping Sugawara no Michizane, the God of Learning Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Dazaifu Tenmangu is a mausoleum enshrining Sugawara no Michizane and, together with Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto, is the head shrine for Tenmangu Shrines across Japan. Because Michizane was an excellent man of literature and scholar, he has come to be worshiped as a god of literature and academics. During the Heian Period, events from the continent such as the Winding Stream Banquet were held here, and some of these events are still held to this day.

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A Lookout Point for Ono-jo Fortress Ruins Obana Parking Lot

This parking lot, located on the south side of Ono-jo Fortress Ruins is nearby Dazaifuguchi Fortress Gate, said to be the entrance to the site of Ono-jo Fortress, as well as the Obana Foundation Stones, also called Yakigomegahara, where carbonized rice has been excavated, and the Zochoten Foundation Stones along with a pond, and more, serving as a hub for touring the south side of the fortress. The earthworks near the parking lot overlook Chikushi Plains to the south, offering views of Kii-jo Fortress and Ashikisan-jo Fortress Ruins.

Tied to the Legend of Empress Jingu Umi Hachimangu Shrine

The Nihon Shoki writes that the place where Empress Jingu gave birth to Emperor Ojin was named Umi after the word for “Umi” Umi Hachimangu Shrine has been designated by the prefecture as a tangible folk cultural asset for its status as a legendary place for praying for safe childbirth, with visitors flocking here every year to pray.

A Historic Leisure Spot Kizan Grass Ski Resort

In the spring and fall, visitors can enjoy grass skiing down the slopes using wooden sleds. Grass skiing in Kiyama is mentioned in a document from 1938, meaning this has long been an important part of tourism in Kiyama. The poem from the Man'yoshu posted at the grass ski resort is said to have been written by Otomo no Tabito upon visiting Kii-jo Fortress.

Gazing Up At Mount Tempai at Tempaizan Historical Natural Park

A park at the base of Mount Tempai that serves as the starting point for a climb up Mount Tempai. Every September, there is a Shinto ceremony in which a sacred flame lit at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is carried to the summit of Mount Tempai in remembrance of the legend of Sugawara no Michizane praying for his innocence on this mountain, and moon-viewing parties to celebrate the harvest moon are held in the park as well.

A Place of Healing and Exchange Suita Hot Springs (Futsukaichi Hot Springs)

Mentioned in the Man'yoshu, Suita Hot Springs was visited by such famous people as Otomo no Tabito, Governor-general of Dazaifu. “Songs to Make the Dust Dance on the Beams” written at the end of the Heian Period states that high officials from Dazaifu, monks from Kanzeon-ji, Anraku-ji and Shio-ji Temples, samurai and cooks of Dazaifu, and those from Buzo-ji Temple would bathe here in that order, and that it not only healed exhaustion but served as a hub of exchange between officials and monks who bathed together in these springs.

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The Center of Politics and Diplomacy Dazaifu Government Office Ruins

This was a place of government affairs and ceremony in the heart of Dazaifu, which governed the entire Kyushu area, and was modeled after a city palace with large buildings covered in beautifully patterned tiles lined up in symmetrical rows. Famous Man'yoshu poet Otomo no Tabito and others also conducted their political affairs here.

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Tombs For Those Who Possessed “Technology” Zenichida Burial Mounds

A group of ancient burial mounds built between the latter half of the 6th century and the 7th century with excavated Silla pottery that suggests exchange with the Korean Peninsula. The people buried here were involved in the production of ironware and the exchange of "technology" as well. The stone chambers left behind at this site are another fruit of the masonry technology of the time.

Where You Can Learn About Construction Methods Used at Mizuki Fortress Mizuki Fortress Cross-Section Plaza

A full-scale cross-sectional survey of earthworks was conducted here, here there are information boards and three-dimensional ceramic tiles showing the construction methods, which involved laying trying branches at the base of the earthworks to prevent soil shifting, the skillful use of mountain soil, river sand, volcanic ash, and other materials, as well as a construction method involving stacking and tamping multiple layers.

Strengthening Defenses on the Side of Mizuki Dyke Kamiori Mizuki Fortress Ruins

A “little Mizuki Fortress” built 80 meters long, 2 meters high, and 20 meters wide, these earthworks are arranged so as to block off the valley. The front (north side) is a marsh, giving it a structure that makes it difficult to invade.

Telling of Ancient Water Technology Odoi Mizuki Fortress Ruins

Odoi Mizuki Fortress Ruins are one of the Little Mizuki Fortress, where 75-meter-long earthen walls still remain. Traces of soil layers used to build the earthworks as well as the first wooden trough found at one of the Little Mizuki Fortresses have been discovered here. A wooden trough is a wooden pipe or ditch used to send water, and is thought to have been used to conduct water from the back of the earthworks to the front.

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With the Awe-Inspiring Sakuta no Unade Waterway Running Through the Plateau Kawasemi Park

From the wooden deck, take in views of Sakuta no Unade winding through a plateau created from the eruption of Mount Aso. You can tell the scale of this enormous civil engineering project just by looking at it.

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An Overwhelming Sight Hyakken Stone Wall

This stone wall stood alongside the river flowing through Ono-jo Fortress and was called “Hyakken Stone Wall” because it was 180 meters long (hyakken means 100 ken, and 1 ken is roughly 1.8 meters). Believed to be a fortress gate because cornerstones used for gates were found at the bottom of the river, this place was named Umiguchi Fortress Gate.

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A Medieval Mountain Fortress With a Spectacular View The Ruins of Iwaya Fortress

The ruins of this mountain fortress built during the Warring States period still draws people to this day with its history of the fierce battle between the besieged fortress lord Takahashi Shigetane and his army of 760 versus the army of 50,000 under the control of Shimazu, who aimed to conquer Kyushu. The view from the ruins of the inner citadel is spectacular, overlooking the entire Western Capital, starting with the ruins of the Dazaifu Government Office below.

The Southern Defense of the Western Capital Kii-jo Mountain Fortress (Mount Kizan Summit)

Kii-jo Fortress was built in 665, then later served to protect the south side of the “Western Capital”. The mountain range was used to build earthworks, and many cornerstone buildings have been found within the fortress. The high ground at the summit offers panoramic views of the areas, suggesting that consideration was given to the view when constructing this fortress.

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