The site of the Dazaifu government office is known as "Tofuro".
During the 8th 9th centuries this flourishing city was known as the "distant capital".
From the 9th century, assignment to Dazaifu became a form of exile for out-or-faver officials.
The most famous exile was SUGAWARA NO MICHIZANE, who died there in 903.
Although official contacts with China ceased in the 9th century, Dazaifu remained a center for foreign commerce.