Photo/Illutration An architectural rendering of a temporary shrine building planned for Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture (Provided by Sou Fujimoto Architects)

DAZAIFU, Fukuoka Prefecture--A temporary “floating forest” will adorn the roof of the magnificent Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine here while its main hall undergoes an extensive three-year renovation.

The design calls for trees and grass to be planted on the curving roof to blend architecture with nature.

The complex is one of Japan’s most historically and culturally significant shrines. For the three years when its “honden” main hall will be closed off to the roughly 10 million visitors who come to the shrine each year, a temporary hall will be created so people can still worship their Shinto deities.

The renovation project will kick off from May.

Rebuilt in 1591, the main building is decorated with gold leaf and coated with lacquer. It is designated as an important cultural property by the central government.

The shrine enshrines the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane (845-903), a noted scholar and politician of the Heian Period (794-1185) who died in exile in Dazaifu.

Closely associated with the number 25 because he was born on June 25 and died on Feb. 25, the shrine holds a Shinto festival every 25 years.

The first since the Meiji Era (1868-1912), the renovation work will be finished ahead of a festival scheduled in 2027 to mark the 1,125th anniversary of Michizane’s death.

Because the main building will be shrouded with coverings during the renovation project, head priest Nobuhiro Nishitakatsuji asked architect Sousuke Fujimoto, 51, to draw up a design for the temporary hall.

Fujimoto serves as a design producer for the venue of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo.

The temporary hall, which will be built just in front of the main building, will be a steel-frame structure measuring 22 meters wide, 15 meters deep and 8 meters tall.

Its slightly curved roof with a total space of about 250 square meters will be planted with more than 10 species of trees and grass to create a forest effect.

The design was inspired by a legend of “tobi-ume” (flying plum") involving a plum tree that came flying overnight to be united with its beloved master in Dazaifu after he was exiled from Kyoto.

The forest will camouflage the coverings of the main building while blending in with surrounding greenery. It will also be strong enough to withstand typhoons, officials said.

“I paid respect to traditions while I added new interpretations,” Fujimoto said. “I hope it will serve as a bridge to the future.”

“Shinto shrines are surrounded by forests, so it is a Shinto-esque building,” Nishitakatsuji added. “We want the temporary hall to be attractive enough to please visitors while the renovation work is under way.”

Construction of the temporary hall will begin in early February.

It is expected to be completed in mid-May.

The renovation work for the main building will start after a ritual of moving the “goshintai” object of worship to the temporary hall is held.

The main building is open to the public while the temporary hall is being built.

The renovation project is scheduled to end in 2026.

Related News