This weekend I was a very good tourist and I took myself off to a very famous temple. Dazaifu is an area just outside Fukuoka and was once the center for the Kyushuu government offices. Later it became a place where nobles were sent in disgrace. One of those nobles was Sugawara no Michizane, who was later became a type of God. The shrine stands on his grave and students go there to worship as they believe he can help them succeed at school. Students write down their wishes and leave them outside the shrine for good luck. I probably should have tried something like that myself to help with my Japanese lessons!
Walking up to the Shrine the streets are lined with shops selling omiyage おみやげ, or gifts. It was great to see all the women wearing their kimono on their way to the shrine.
Afterwards I visited the Kyushuu Museum which was very interesting, although the lady that was snoring in the theatre next to me may not have thought so! It made me realise what a young country New Zealand really is, especially when you are looking at artifacts from the 4 century and earlier!
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