Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is a popular shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture visited by about 8 million pilgrims every year. It is the head shrine of about 12,000 Tenman-gu shrines in Japan. The deity of scholarship is enshrined here, and it is particularly popular at the beginning of the new year and during examination season. It is also famous as a plum blossom viewing spot, with as many as 6,000 plum trees of about 200 varieties planted in the grounds. The best time for viewing is mid-February to early March every year. Umegae mochi (a rice cake filled with sweet bean paste with an imprint of a Japanese apricot flower on it) is a specialty gourmet food.