Dazaifu Jobo (Grid-Based City) ruins
| Location | City of Chikushino・City of Dazaifu |
|---|---|
| Designation | Municipally-Designated Historic Site・Undesignated |
| Emblem |  |
This was the site of a town with land allotted in the grid pattern that was adopted by capitals of East Asia during ancient times. It was built during the Asuka period. In the Nara period, the Government Office and Suzaku Road were constructed. It resembled Heijokyo, modeled after Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty. An official in charge of Heijokyo designed and constructed the Town. There are still land allotments that leave traces of the Jobo in various places around the city.
Grid-Shaped Townscape
The “Western Capital” of Dazaifu was a grid-shaped city modeled after Chang'an Castle in Tang China, stretching roughly two kilometers in every direction. The Dazaifu Government Office was located at the north end of the city center, with Suzaku Gate, the entrance to the government district, to the south. South of the Suzaku Gate stretches 36-meter long Suzaku Avenue, the main street of the Dazaifu grid, where officials, foreign envoys, and merchants came and went. It is believed that Rajomon Gate was located at the southern end of Suzaku Avenue. Each section of the town grid covered an area of about 90 square meters, with 22 sections to the north and south and 12 sections to the east of Suzaku Avenue and 8 sections to the west.
Dazaifu City Characters/Tabito the Traveler, Otomo no Tabitto, Princess Reiwa
Among the mysteries of ancient Dazaifu, this town grid has received the most attention, but has also been the most difficult to elucidate. After many years of research, scientists at last created a concrete picture of the city, which turned out to be modeled after the capital at the time, hence the name “Western Capital” for the story of this Japan Heritage.
Even so, the “Western Capital” still contains many mysteries.
Chikushino City Characters/Tsukushi-chan
Walking around the cities of Dazaifu or Chikushino, you’ll see straight roads running east-west and north-south. This is a remnant of the grid-shaped townscape of Dazaifu. The large streets and small alleys are still used in everyday life. Though the city's appearance has changed over the years, you can still feel the ancient past in some areas of town.
Access Information
Address
State Guesthouse: 818-0103 3-13 Suzaku, Dazaifu, Fukuoka
By Train
About 2 min on foot from Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Station
About the Western Capital
The “Western Capital”, created in Tsukushi 1300 years ago. Cultural assets speaking to the magnificence of this city of international exchange that flourished in East Asia are scattered across the cities of Chikushino, Kasuga, Onojo, Dazaifu, Nakagawa, and Umi in Fukuoka Prefecture as well as the town of Kiyama in Saga Prefecture.