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The other day, I went to Fukuoka City for the first time in many years.
And, in my spare time, I went out to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine located in Dazaifu City.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine was built on the grave of Michizane Sugawara, who is called the "God of learning", and enshrines Michizane. Michizane Sugawara was born in Kyoto in 845, but he was exiled to Dazaifu because of an innocent sin. He finished his life at the age of 59 there.

A tanka (a 31-syllable Japanese poem) composed by Michizane when he left Kyoto is well known.

The tanka says:
When the wind is in the east, I want it to blow the scent of Japanese plum flowers to me;
even if I disappear from here, you, Japanese plum flowers, do not forget spring.

Although it has passed the peak of plum blossoms, I could see many blossoms and I offered a prayer while thinking of the tanka. (H.S)

Curtains with plum flower crest were installed at Dazaifu Station.

From the busy shrine path to the precinct

Even though it was unfortunately raining that day, there were many tourists mainly from Asia.

The shrine is one of the most beautiful plum blossoms viewing sites in Japan. The rose plum blossoms were bright.

How to use washing water

The Taiko Bridge is a popular spot in the precinct.

"Goshuin" (stamp given at shrines or temples) of the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

You can go to Kyushu National Museum through the precinct. The museum introduces rich history of cultural exchange between Kyushu and neighboring China and Korea.

Starbucks Dazaifu Omote Sando Shop is another popular spot.

Kengo Kuma, an architect, designed the shop that features the timberwork.

As I mentioned in our previous blog that Mr. Ugyen Dorji who is studying

at University of Fukui as a teacher trainee from Bhutan since September of 2017

and his family will go back to Bhutan at the end of March.

Mr. Ugyen Dorji　and his family

from right to left lining up sideways

They always had such beautiful smiles on their faces and I enjoyed being around them.

I visited great places in Fukui Prefecture with them. I took videos and photographs of

the places and the family. They seemed to be enjoying all the places we visited.

By watching people from overseas appreciating the beauty and charms of Fukui Prefecture,

I realized that Fukui Prefecture is a great place to live and/or visit.

We talked about our cultures, hobbies, family, etc.

I learned about Bhutan from them that they are kind and polite, they're very religious,

they respect their king and queen so much, there's no ocean, they love spicy foods.

I didn't know that they like spicy foods so much that they even bring their own spices

when they came to Japan.

In the beginning of April, we walked around the city looking at cherry blossoms.

We enjoyed walking on the pathway along Asuwa River in Fukui City as well.

The river flows through the center of Fukui City. And the pathway along the river

was selected as one of the 100 best places for cherry blossom viewing in Japan.

It was the first time seeing the real cherry blossoms for Mr. Ugyen Dorji and his family.

They said that they had seen the cherry blossoms in movies and TV but not the real ones.

They were amazed to see the real ones.

We visited Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture.

It is recognized as one of the top dinosaur museums in the world and

it's the largest one in Japan.

They were impressed by many real looking dinosaurs exhibited and how large the museum is.
They told me that there are dinosaur toys in Bhutan but there's nothing like this museum and/or those exhibits. They seemed to be impressed by everything they saw at the museum.

Even I had visited this museum several times, I like the lightings and how the exhibition area echoes the sound. I never get bored and still enjoy being there. The museum is enjoyable for both children and adults.

We visited Echizen Matsushima Aquarium(*you can change the language in the website) and the sea in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture. There's no ocean in Bhutan. His wife saw ocean for the first time in her life. She took time to feel the ocean by touching and smelling it.

His son's favorite thing in the world is fish, so he was very excited to see all the fish at the aquarium. As soon as he walked into the aquarium, he started staring at the fish and

wouldn't want to leave from the large tank. He was quiet and shy when I met him,

and I didn't hear his voice much. At the aquarium, I was kind of surprised to hear him

saying "fish" and "wow" happily.

Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins
is surrounded by beautiful nature, so the visitors can enjoy the great view,

and learn about the history at the same time.

His sister loves flowers so she was grateful to see the beautiful flowers there as well.

They experienced the Warring States Period's style kimono dressing experience.

His son was excited to see how his mother and aunt looked different with the kimono.

They said that the kimono which they wore were similar to traditional Bhutanese clothing

for men called “Gho”. For women, the traditional clothing is called “Kira”.

It was such a great experience for me to visit all these beautiful places in Fukui Prefecture with them. As a person from Fukui City, I realized that Fukui Prefecture is

even more amazing place than I've always felt.

Anyone from all over the world can enjoy and relax all year around in Fukui Prefecture.

It welcomes you with the ocean, mountains and river, interesting sight seeing places

like Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins , etc.

There are also great foods, hot springs and people as well. Come visit Fukui!

T.F