Fukuoka day tour: Dazaifu Shrine, Beppu Ropeway & Yufuin

A shrine where 12,000 prayer plaques cover the gates during exam season, then a 10-minute ropeway climb above the bay.

This eight- to nine-hour day tour from Fukuoka visits Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (the head shrine of 12,000 Tenmangu shrines across Japan), then ascends Mount Tsurumi by ropeway for panoramic views of Beppu Bay and the surrounding mountains, and ends in Yufuin hot spring town with time to walk Lake Kinrin and browse local shops. A multilingual guide and air-conditioned transport are included. The ropeway ticket is separate. The tour follows a shared group schedule and may be modified due to weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cultural and scenic tour from Fukuoka

• Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
• Explore shrine gardens and historical sites
• Ride Beppu Ropeway for panoramic views
• Walk observation decks and trails at summit
• Stroll Yufuincho Kawakami scenic area
• Visit Kinrin Lake and enjoy peaceful stroll
• Explore Yufuin Floral Village and shops

The experience

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine anchors the morning. The shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning and scholarship, and draws students from across Japan during exam season, when the gates are blanketed with wooden prayer plaques (ema) asking for academic success. Beyond the vermilion main hall and manicured gardens, the grounds hold centuries-old camphor and oak trees, the Treasure Hall, and the Sugawara History Museum. The shrine's most storied feature is the "Flying Plum Tree," a legend says flew overnight from Kyoto to Dazaifu out of devotion to Michizane.

The Beppu Ropeway carries you 1,816 meters up Mount Tsurumi in about ten minutes each way. From the summit, observation decks and walking trails open onto 360-degree views of Beppu City, Beppu Bay, and the surrounding mountains. A vista that shifts with the season: spring blossoms, summer greenery, autumn foliage, or snow-covered peaks. Note that from late June through mid-July the ropeway closes for maintenance. During that window the tour visits Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) instead. The ropeway ticket is not included and must be purchased separately.

Yufuin, a hot spring resort town in Oita Prefecture, fills the afternoon. You'll stroll Yunotsubo Street and walk around Lake Kinrin, famous for the mist that rises from its surface in early morning and the clear water that shifts color through the day. Mount Yufu rises in the distance. The town holds boutique shops, cafés, and Yufuin Floral Village: an English countryside-style attraction with seasonal flowers and European architecture. The pace here is unhurried. The guide leads the group but leaves room to explore at your own speed.

What’s included

• The tour includes a multilingual guide and air-conditioned transportation for the full eight to nine hours.
• you arrange the Beppu Ropeway ticket separately at the site.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Chinese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteJP¥ 1,854

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TREVOPEDIA

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour on a fixed schedule, so you move with the group's pace through each stop. The day involves moderate walking around the shrine grounds, along Lake Kinrin, and through Yufuin's streets, with rest periods built in at each location.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Japanese and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and why do so many students visit it?

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the head shrine of approximately 12,000 Tenmangu shrines throughout Japan and the largest of its kind in Kyushu. It is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the revered deity of learning and scholarship. Students from all over Japan visit to pray for success in examinations and academic achievement, especially during exam season when the shrine gates are covered with ema (wooden prayer plaques).

How long is the Beppu Ropeway ride and what will I see from the top?

The Beppu Ropeway spans approximately 1,816 meters and takes around ten minutes each way. From the summit of Mount Tsurumi, you can explore observation decks and walking trails while enjoying 360-degree panoramic views of Beppu City, Beppu Bay, and the surrounding mountains. The landscape changes with the season: spring blossoms, summer greenery, colorful autumn foliage, or snow-covered scenery.

What is there to do in Yufuin?

Yufuin is a hot spring resort town where you can stroll along Yunotsubo Street, walk around Lake Kinrin (famous for its mist and changing water colors), browse boutique shops and cafés, and visit Yufuin Floral Village, which features seasonal flowers and European-style architecture. Mount Yufu provides a scenic backdrop to the town's peaceful, rural atmosphere.

Is the Beppu Ropeway ticket included in the tour price?

The Beppu Ropeway ticket is not included and must be purchased separately at the time of your visit. From late June through mid-July, the ropeway closes for scheduled maintenance. During that period, the tour visits Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) instead.