While strolling around Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, I found myself deeper inside, where numerous red torii gates stood. This is Tenkai Inari Shrine (天開稲荷社), known as an even more powerful spiritual spot than Dazaifu Tenmangu itself. It is the oldest Inari shrine in Kyushu, having been enshrined from Fushimi Inari in Kyoto during the Kamakura period.
Passing through multiple torii gates, I climbed the stairs.
As it is believed to be a shrine where “the path to the heavens opens, and one’s fortune rises,” many visitors make their way here.
Because of this, a bit of congestion formed at the top! At the last set of stairs, there’s a torii gate, and right in front of it stands the shrine.
This is Tenkai Inari Shrine’s main hall. The enshrined deity is Ukano Mitama no Okami (宇迦之御魂大神).
Traditionally, the shrine has 13 bells, and visitors are supposed to ring the one corresponding to their zodiac sign before ringing the large central bell. However, at that time, only the large bell was present—perhaps the smaller ones had been removed due to the pandemic. So, I simply pressed my hands together and offered my prayers.
Beyond this, there’s an even more powerful sacred spot known as the “Oku-no-in” (奥の院 / Inner Shrine). You can reach it by climbing the stairs beside the main shrine.
This is the Oku-no-in, which has the appearance of a stone chamber.
Bowing slightly, I stepped inside and offered my prayers.
The interior was cool and had a solemn atmosphere. Not many people make it this far, but since it is considered one of the most powerful spiritual spots in Kyushu, there was a line to enter even at this time.
About
Name Tenkai Inari Shrine (天開稲荷社)
URL Dazaifu Tenmangu’s Official
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