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°­²â¨±²õ³ó¨± National Museum

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Built into the tranquil eastern hills of Dazaifu and reached through more escalators than can be found at the average airport, this striking structure (built 2005) resembles a massive space station and chronicles the cultural flow between Asia and °­²â¨±²õ³ó¨± (and, by extension, the rest of Japan). The permanent, 1500-sq-metre 'Cultural Exchange Exhibition' on the 4th floor includes priceless pieces from across the continent; English signage and an audioguide help illuminate it all. A must-visit for architecture and history buffs.

There are often high-profile special exhibitions of Japanese and Western art. There's also a wonderful, family-friendly 'please touch' section called Ajippa, and a cool shop with items from across Asia.

The building's architect was Kiyonori Kikutake (1928¨C2011), a native of Fukuoka Prefecture whose many other notable buildings include the Osaka Expo Tower and the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

  • Dazaifu Temmangu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan

    Dazaifu Tenman-g¨±

    0.31 MILES

    Among the countless visitors to the grand, sprawling Tenman-g¨± ¨C shrine and burial place of poet-scholar Tenman Tenjin ¨C are students making offerings and¡­

  • Hakata Machiya Furusato-kan

    Hakata Machiya Furusato-kan

    8.99 MILES

    Spread over three machiya (traditional Japanese townhouses), this folk museum re-creates a Hakata nagare (neighbourhood unit) from the late Meiji era¡­

  • Fukuoka Asian Art Museum

    Fukuoka Asian Art Museum

    9.29 MILES

    On the upper floors of the Hakata Riverain mall, this large museum houses the world-renowned Asia Gallery, and additional galleries for special¡­

  • ?hori-k¨­en Japanese Garden

    ?hori-k¨­en Japanese Garden

    10.22 MILES

    Set within the expansive grounds of ?hori-k¨­en, adjacent to the remains of Fukuoka's once-grand castle, this traditional (though constructed in 1984) 12¡­

  • Tachiarai Heiwa Kinenkan

    Tachiarai Heiwa Kinenkan

    8.68 MILES

    Near the former Tachiarai airfield, one of the most important airfields of Japan's Imperial Army, this museum shows the rigorous training Japanese fighter¡­

  • Rakusuien

    Rakusuien

    8.62 MILES

    This small but pretty garden and teahouse was built by a Meiji-era merchant in 1906 and offers a couple of paths, a rushing waterfall and tea ceremony. In¡­

  • Kanzeon-ji

    Kanzeon-ji

    1.02 MILES

    In the woods, nestled among rice paddies and reachable by bus (?100) or about a 20-minute walk from Dazaifu Station, this rustic temple dates from 746,¡­

  • Shikanoshima

    Shikanoshima

    16.86 MILES

    Delightfully rural, this island has fresh-seafood restaurants that line the harbour-side streets. Ferries depart hourly (?670, 33 minutes) from Bayside¡­

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Nearby °­²â¨±²õ³ó¨± attractions

1. °­¨­³¾²â¨­³ú±ð²Ô-Âá¾±

0.25 MILES

Tucked away between Dazaifu Station and the °­²â¨±²õ³ó¨± National Museum, this small temple has an exquisite jewel of a Zen garden. It's a peaceful contrast to¡­

2. Dazaifu Tenman-g¨± Museum

0.25 MILES

On the grounds of the Tenman-g¨± shrine, many historical and religious objects related to Tenman Tenjin are on display in this classic museum, including¡­

3. Dazaifu Tenman-g¨±

0.31 MILES

Among the countless visitors to the grand, sprawling Tenman-g¨± ¨C shrine and burial place of poet-scholar Tenman Tenjin ¨C are students making offerings and¡­

4. Kank¨­ Historical Museum

0.33 MILES

The life story of Sugawara-no-Michizane is told here in dioramas using Hakata ningy¨­ (dolls). It's not easy to digest if you're not a Japanese speaker,¡­

5. Kanzeon-ji Exhibition Hall

0.96 MILES

At this mid-20th-century hall within the Kanzeon-ji grounds, of particular note is the wooden statuary from the 10th to 12th centuries. Many items show¡­

6. Kanzeon-ji

1.02 MILES

In the woods, nestled among rice paddies and reachable by bus (?100) or about a 20-minute walk from Dazaifu Station, this rustic temple dates from 746,¡­

7. Kaidan-in

1.05 MILES

This intimate temple dates from 761 and was one of the most important Buddhist ordination monasteries in Japan. Combine it with a visit to the more¡­

8. Dazaifu Exhibition Hall

1.33 MILES

The hall displays finds from local archaeological excavations. Nearby are the Tofur¨­ ruins (¶¼¸®Â¥) of ancient government buildings.