Mount Tempai
| Location | City of Chikushino |
|---|---|
| Designation | Undesignated (Intangible) |
| Emblem |  |
A low mountain 258 meters in altitude located to the south of the “Western Capital”, there is a legend seen in Kitano Tenjin Engi (Legends of Kitano Tenjin Shrine) in which Sugawara no Michizne climbs a mountain and faced the heavens to pray for innocence, which the poet Sogi states to be Mount Tempai in “Chikushi Michinoki” (1469-1486).
With traditions reminiscent of the Southern Outskirts Festival in China (a festival in which the emperor worships the heavens in the southern outskirts of the capital during winter solstice), this was likely seen as an important mountain in the outskirts of Dazaifu.
The summit overlooks views of Hakata Bay as well as the exchange of the city sprawling beneath.
A Mountain in the Southern Outskirts Overlooking the “Western Capital”
Mount Tempai is a low, relatively easy to climb mountain that bustles with hikers. The following legend about this mountain remains to this day. In 901, Minister of the Right Sugawara no Michizane fell into Fujiwara no Tokihira’s trap and was demoted to Dazaifu. Michizane purified himself at Shito Falls in the foothills of the mountains, then spent seven days and seven nights at the summit, praying to heaven for innocence. It is from this legend that the mountain earned its name Tempaizan (“heaven worship”).
Chikushino City Characters/Tsukushi-chan
From the distance, you can see Hakata Bay in the distance and the townscape of Dazaifu, with Ono-jo Fortress and Mount Homan, meaning this is the ideal location to reflect on the “Western Capital”. The trail to the summit is has beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas in spring and red leaves in autumns, making it a perfect place for forest bathing. Come climb Mount Tempai to experience both history and nature.
Access Information
Address
天拝山歴史公園：
818-0052 1-1-47 Musashi, Chikushino, Fukuoka
By Train
About 20 min on foot from JR Futsukaichi Station
By Car
About 5 min from the Chikushino IC on the Kyushu Expressway
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.