Dazaifu Tenman-gu is a Shinto shrine located in Dazaifu city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As it is very famous, you can read the details of this shrine on other websites. If you are interested in the history or origin of this shrine, google it please. I'll write about one feature here.
The shrine was built in 919 on the tomb of Sugawara no Michizane, who had died in despair and hopelessness. He was acknowledged as an unmatched scholar after his death and now, he is supposed to be the God of learning. Therefore, lots of people who want to pass various kinds of examinations visit there to pray to him for their success. Just before the university entrance examination of my second daughter, I visited there and prayed for her success. As for my youngest daughter, I asked the shrine for a lucky charm. I don't know if the God helped them or not, but both were respectively successful.
My wife and I decided to visit the shrine again to thank him. We got a flat tire on the way, but this drive was really relaxing. The sky was fine. The view through the window was brilliant. The to and from ferry boats were comfortable. Lots of motorcycle freaks looked happy.
See also http://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2007/01/dazaifu-tenmang.html
(Vocabulary)
die in despair and hopelessness 絶望と失意のうちに死ぬ
unmatched 無比の, 匹敵するものがない
pray to sb/sth (for sth) （＜…＞を求めて）＜…＞に祈る
charm [C] (腕輪などにつける) 飾り, お守り
a lucky charm 幸運のお守り
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