Dazaifu, Kyushu
This place is incredible!
With only about 70.000 people, Dazaifu is much less intimidating than Fukuoka. The main part of the city - most of which you will see below, is very close together and as you can see... kirei desu ne!!
Boasting some well-known temples and shrines, it's easy to while away the hours strolling from place to place. Many of the main attractions are close to the city centre, including Tenmangu Shrine.
The city's flower is apparently the Ume blossom and this is certainly well-celebrated during Hanami season.... when we arrived in Dazaifu, not only was the place pink with blossom, but the chefs were wearing pink, the plum ume tea we were served was pink and we were eating Umegae-mochi, which is city are famous for and has a pinky / purple stuffing
Umegae-mochi are a kind of rice flour bun stuffed with red bean paste that has a faint strawberry taste. The whole experience is new.... the bun itself is just-cooked, so is quite gooey, the paste inside is grainy and full, but sweet and it is warm, hot from the pans in fact!
I will update this blog as I go, filling in details about the shrines and temples (one of which, with the flowers and tea kettle, was celebrating Buddha's Birthday with sweet tea) and ruins, but for now..... enjoy the video :)
