Fodor's Expert Review Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

A Shinto shrine of major importance to the city, Kitano Tenman-gu is famous for the hundreds of plum trees on its grounds. Built in AD 947 to honor Sugawara no Michizane, a celebrated scholar and politician, this was the first shrine in Japan where a person was enshrined as a deity. It is also well-known to students, who come to ask the gods' help in passing exams. On the 25th of every month, Tenjin-san, streets around the shrine turn into a huge market. Treasures, old and new, food, bonsai, gadgets, and other items delight throngs of shoppers.