Tenjin

Tenjin (天神) is a term in Japan that can refer to the Shinto deity of scholarship as well as to places and districts named after this deity. The most significant use is as the deified form of Sugawara no Michizane (845–903), a court scholar and poet who, after his death, was venerated as a god of learning, calligraphy, and scholarship. Across Japan, Tenjin shrines, typically called Tenmangu or Temman-gū, are built to honor him and are frequented by students and families, especially during exam season. Notable examples include Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto and Dazaifu Tenman-gū in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture. The kanji 天神 literally mean “heavenly god.”

Tenjin is also the name of a major commercial district in Fukuoka City. Located in the Chūō ward, it forms the city’s central business and entertainment center, housing department stores, boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife. The area features the Tenjin Chikagai, an underground shopping street that connects to major transit hubs, and it functions as a transport focal point with access to the city’s subway and other rail services. As a district, Tenjin is associated with business, retail, and urban culture in Fukuoka and is considered one of the region’s key commercial locales. In addition to its use as a place name, the term Tenjin appears in various shrine and locality names across Japan, reflecting the historical influence of the deity.