The general headquarters, Kitano-tenmangu Shrine was built by the Imperial Court on Ukon no Baba (a riding ground) of which Michizane was particularly fond in order to appease his vengeful spirit, but in reality Dazaifu-tenmangu Shrine rather than Kitano-tenmangu Shrine is considered to be the headquarters.
総本宮である北野天満宮は道真が好んだという右近の馬場に朝廷が菅公の怨霊を鎮めるために建立、しかし実際には、北野よりも太宰府のほうが天満宮の総本社と見做されることがある。