Hofu Tenman-gu Shrine
Worshipped as the god of scholarship, Sugawara no Michizane is enshrined here. Hofu Tenman-gu Shrine was Japan's first Tenman-gu Shrine (which are shrines dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane) and is counted as one Japan's Three Great Tenjin Shrines.
The shrine is bustling with people all year, with many young people coming to purchase writing brushes or good luck charms for tests.
Street address
- 14-1 Matsuzakicho, Hofu City, Yamaguchi
Access
- From JR Hofu Station, take a Bocho Bus (about 5 min.); get off at "Hofu Tenmangu"
Opening Hours
- Gates are open from 6:00-20:00
Closed
- Open everyday
Best season
- All year
Point
- Western Japan’s wildest festival, the Gojinko Festival, takes place on the fourth Saturday of November.
Watching thousands of participants clad in fetching white traditional costumes parade through the streets is a magnificent sight to behold.

Spots around
-
Akiyoshidai Plateau/Akiyoshido Cave
-
Yanai Nishigura/goldfish lantern experience
-
Motonosumi Shrine
-
Yamaguchi Ube Airport
-
Iwakuni Art Museum with Kashiwabara Collection
-
Kintaikyo Bridge
-
Nagato Yumoto Onsen
-
Karato Fish Market
-
Yuda Onsen
-
Tokiwa Park
-
Hagi Castle Town and Hagi Meirin Gakusha, school house
-
Hagi Uragami Museum
-
Tsunoshima Ohashi
-
Shunan Industrial Night Scenery
-
Iwakuni Castle
-
Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport
-
World Heritage Sites: Hagi Castle Town and the Shokasonjuku Academy