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Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in Hofu City, Yamaguchi, is one of Japan's three major Tenjin shrines, alongside Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto and Dazaifu Tenmangu in Fukuoka. We introduce the shrine's famous Plum Blossom Festival held every year in February.
Hofu Tenmangu Shrine is a famous shrine dedicated to Tenjin, the deity of learning, and located in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The shrine's famous Plum Blossom Festival is held annually from mid-February to early March when the plum blossoms are in full bloom, filling the air with their delightful fragrance.
In 2025, the Hofu Tenmangu Plum Blossom Festival will be held from February 16 to March 2.
Besides the beautiful plum blossoms, highlights of the festival include events such as the Doll Appreciation Festival and the Tenjin arts Village.
This article provides detailed information about the main events of the Hofu Tenmangu Plum Blossom Festival along with access information.
From the various events held during the Hofu Tenmangu Plum Blossom Festival, we introduce below three events: the Plum Distribution for Career Advancement, Tenjin Arts Village, and Doll Appreciation Festival.
Photo by Pixta
The first main event held during the Hofu Tenmangu Plum Blossom Festival is the Plum Distribution for Career Advancement.
The "Career Advancement Plum" refers to the plums harvested from the premises of Hofu Tenmangu Shrine.
Since they have been purified within the Hofu Tenmangu Shrine, these plums are considered to be auspicious and beneficial. You will certainly be satisfied with their pleasant aroma and delicious flavor.
Photo by Pixta
The second main event held during the Hofu Tenmangu Plum Blossom Festival is the Tenjin Arts Village. This event takes place on one day during the festival's duration and runs all day.
Organized by the Tenjin Arts Festival Executive Committee, this event aims to revitalize Hofu Tenmangu Shrine and its surrounding areas. It has been a popular event held every year since 2006.
You can enjoy various live shows such as street performances, craft-making, and multicultural cuisine, which are the key attractions. The event is bustling with many visitors annually.
Photo by Pixta
The third main event held during at Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in February is the Doll Appreciation Festival.
At Hofu Tenmangu, people can bring dolls that they feel reluctant to throw away or have lost the opportunity to part with after cherishing them for many years. Many people bring their dolls, leading to over 3,000 dolls being entrusted to Hofu Tenmangu.
In addition to taking care of the dolls, the event also facilitates finding new adoptive parents for those who would like to take them home. This event is a joyful encounter for both the dolls and their new owners, celebrating the idea of "ichigo ichie," or a once-in-a-lifetime meeting.
Below, we provide information about the event schedule during the Hofu Tenmangu Plum Festival.
Date | February 16 – March 2, 2025 |
Venue | Hofu Tenmangu Shrine 14-1 Matsuzakicho, Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
Admission Fee | Free |
Official Website | http://www.hofutenmangu.com |
Social media | https://www.instagram.com/hofutenmangu_official/ |
Photo by Pixta
The nearest station to Hofu Tenmangu Shrine is JR Hofu Station. From there, it takes about a 15-minute walk to reach Hofu Tenmangu.
For those taking the bus, it takes about 5 minutes to get off at Hofu Station, followed by a 3-minute walk to reach the venue.
If you are driving, it takes approximately 10 minutes from the Hofu Higashi IC or Hofu Nishi IC. There is a free parking lot that can accommodate 500 cars, but it is expected to be crowded during the Plum Festival. We recommend using public transportation when attending the Plum Festival.
It seems that there are no traffic regulations in place, but it is recommended to check the official website in advance for more information in 2025.