Visiting Fukugon-ji, the Obaku-shu temple in Yanagawa

Before going to Hinamatsuri dolls festival, we went to Fukugon-ji (福厳寺), the Obaku-shu temple in Yanagawa. Fukugon-ji, the family temple of the Tachibana clan was dedicated by Tachibana Muneshige to his late father-in-law Bekki/Tachibana Dosetsu in 1587.

A Sanmon or the temple gate of Fukugon-ji.

Passing the temple gate, then go straight down the sando road to the main hall.

The brand new wooden hall was completed in 2014.

The drum tower. There is the Kaisan-do founder's hall right next to this one.

The Tennodo pavilion in front of the main hall.

The wooden Idaten statue at the Tenno-do.

After that I went to see the Otamaya (御霊屋) cemetery dedicated to the Tachibana family.

Seeing Yanagawa Hinamatsuri dolls festival

On Monday, we had decided to take a drive to Yanagawa to see Hinamatsuri dolls festival, a special day in Japan. Hinamatsuri is celebrated each year on March 3.

We visited to the Kitajima Family House, a venue which is the doll festival is held. We parked a car near the Ohana (御花) villa, and take a short walk to the place. We walked a very narrow street along the canal, and turned right near the Okinohata-Suitengu (沖端水天宮) Shinto shrine. Go straight and then turn the next corner to the left, we finally came here.

Various Hina set display at the fusuma room.

A lot of Sagemon (さげもん) ornaments hanging in the room.

What's Sagemon? Sagemon is traditional events of Japan that will be held in Yanagawa city, Fukuoka. When girls were born in the late Edo period, in the celebration of the first season, they started to make small accessories with pieces of old cloths. 
The meaning of Sagemon is praying for children's growth so they put various objects of good luck such as rabbits, rats, cicadas, dolls etc.
In the bamboo ring, 49 pieces of 7 rows and 7 pieces are hung alternately with the craft and Yanagawa temari balls. And add two big temari balls in the middle of the ring that is making a total of 51 pieces. They wish to have a long life more than one.

After that we went to another place, Yanagawa Tourist Information Center.

Hanging Sagemon ornaments on the roof.

Wonderful Hinamatsuri decorations on display at the exhibition.

A short trip to Kamado Shrine, Dazaifu

On February 26, we went to Kamado-jinja (竈門神社), a Shinto shrine in Dazaifu. Located at the top of Mount Homan, which has been venerated from ancient times as a sacred mountain, the shrine is dedicated to Tamayori-hime, Emperor Ojin and Empress Jingu. The peripheral zone of Mount Homan, including the shrine, is a National historic site.

It's a calm and quite atmosphere; there's not so many tourists like Dazaifu Tenmangu where we were before.

Now we're going down a path to the main shrine.

When going up the last stairs, we finally came here.

Honden or the main shrine.

We found a beautiful cherry tree on the back way.