If you are a history buff or love spending time in museums, don’t miss out on Kyushu National Museum (九州国立博物館) when you are in Dazaifu. Connected with Dazaifu Tenman-gū via a rainbow tunnel with an in-built escalator, traveling between the two attractions is easy. Kyushu National Museum is the fourth national museum established in Japan, after Tokyo, Nara, and Kyoto. Located in Kyūshū, the exhibitions demonstrate that Kyūshū has long been a crossroads of international culture.
The four-story building has a beautiful exterior. The modern design with a blue base and glass facade blends well with the surrounding nature. The first floor consists of a museum shop, cafes, restaurants, and an interactive exhibition gallery. The third floor is a special exhibition room, and the fourth floor is where permanent exhibitions are held. Depending on what is shown on the day, you might be able to meet some of Japan’s national treasures and important cultural properties. Excellent English descriptions are clear for each exhibit, so you can understand the background of what you are looking at.
The Highlights at Kyushu National Museum
The interactive exhibition gallery, Ajippa (あじっぱ), showcases the cultures of various Asian countries. The space is perfect for families because you can touch everything in the gallery, allowing you to experience the cultures of these countries through playing.
For more information, refer to Ajippa’s Official Website.
On the permanent exhibition floor, you will find precious historical items such as earthenware, ceramics, books, and folding screens. These exhibits are primarily divided into five themes, each of which has a period assigned from the Paleolithic to the Edo period. Moreover, the fourth floor of Kyushu National Museum is the only place in the world where you can see Katsushika Hokusai’s (葛飾 北齋) Daily Exorcism drawings (日新除魔図). The 219 paintings were completed in his late years. Each morning, he would draw one to pray for his longevity and ward off evil spirits.
When you are tired, you can head to the museum’s restaurant or cafe for food. There is even a cafe with a foot spa! But just note there is no plant-based savory option at the time this article is written. You can refer to HERE for the menus.
How Much Time to Allocate to Kyushu National Museum
Regarding how much time you need to allocate to Kyushu National Museum, the answer depends on how detailed you want to examine the exhibits. You probably only need an hour there if you tend to only browse through everything in the exhibition room. But if you adore the artwork and items with a long history, allocate at least 2 to 3 hours.
Kyushu National Museum’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Kyushu National Museum is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm.
- The last admission is taken at 4:30 pm.
- When special exhibitions are on, the museum closes late at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Refer to the Museum’s Official Website for the days that it closes.
- The admission fee is
- 700 yen for adults
- 350 yen for university students
- The brewery is a 10-minute walk from Nishitetsu’s Dazaifu Station (大宰府駅).
Tips:
☛ A set ticket that gives you access to Dazaifu Tenman-gū and Kyushu National Museum is available for 1,000 yen.
☛ Show This Page for a 10% discount at museum’s restaurant, Iinoji (いい乃じ).
☛ If you visit Dazaifu with children, they will have much fun at Dazaifu Amusement Park (だざいふ遊園地). The old-school style park is located at the back left of the entrance to the Kyushu National Museum.
Discover Other Attractions in Dazaifu
Among the popular tourist destinations near Fukuoka City, Dazaifu tops the list. The city that is filled with cultural and historical spots is perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. Apart from Dazaifu Tenman-gū, there are a couple more beautiful gardens in the city and hiking trails leading to panoramic views!
For more information, refer to our article on Dazaifu!
