A Trip to Hiraizumi: Heaven in Northern Japan

Hiraizumi is a small rural town which got registered as a World Heritage Site in 2011.

It holds Buddhist temples and gardens which are not seen anywhere in the world but there.

Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi, Japan

Pure Land Garden in Motsuji Temple, Hiraizumi, Japan

The temples and gardens are based on the Pure Land, a heaven, of Buddhism.
They are built to realize the ideal world in this world. There are some influence from foreign countries, but the thoughts are unique in Japan.

If you saw Hiraizumi in a guidebook or something like that and wondering if you visit there, there is no reason to hesitate. My trip was so impressive that I am writing this. I confidently recommend a trip to Hiraizumi.
If you haven’t heard of Hiraizumi yet, explore the culture and many photos here, and you will know what a beautiful place it is.

Chuson-ji Temple

Chuson-ji Temple is originated from the 9th century, when Ennin, a honorable priest, established the temple in the hill in Northern Japan.

A path in the old trees leads to the Main Hall and Konjiki-Do (= Golden Hall) of the temple.

The path in Chusonji Temple, Hiraizumi, Japan

His desire was to let people rest in peace who died in dreadful battles in Oshu in the 11th century.

Fall Foliage and the main building in Chusonji Temple

Konjiki-do (Golden Hall) of Chuson-ji Temple

Chusonji Temple Golden Hall, Hiraizumi, Japan

The Golden Hall is the only one remaining as the original built in Heian era, the epoch when Japanese culture bloomed 1,000 years ago.
The all-golden hall is inside the house in the photo. All of the essences of the arts, beauties in Heian era and thoughts of Buddhism are concentrated there.
Want to see them? The golden hall is kept silent with no photo policy. Please go to Chuson-ji Temple website from the link at the bottom of this post if you hope to learn more.

The beauty of Golden Hall is praised in a famous poem. He is Basho Matsuo, a traveling haiku poet in the 17th century.

Basho Matsuo, a haiku poet

Golden Hall was so breathtaking that he made a haiku here on his way. Today it is on Japanese textbooks for junior high school students.

A pagoda with flowers near Golden Hall

Look up and there is a bell among the yellow leaves.

Kitakami River from Chusonji Temple

Motsu-ji Temple

Chuson-ji Temple comes first in guidebooks, but Motsu-ji Temple is a must-see in Hiraizumi.
It is said that Motsu-ji Temple was established by Ennin in 850.
Motohira and Hidehira Fujiwara developed Motsu-ji Temple by constructing temple halls and the Pure Land Garden (Jodo Teien) to realize the ideal world.

Motsuji Temple in Hiraizumi, Japan

Pure Land Garden
It is a Japanese garden which realizes Buddha’s land on the earth. The large pond with pure water holds some stones for decorations based on beauties for gardens in Heian era. So it is an interesting and important garden for history researches, too.

When I visited there, I lost my words because of the beauty of large and calm garden.

Pure Land Garden in Motsuji Temple, Hiraizumi, Japan

Pure Land Garden and a cleaner

Stones in the pond

Pure Land Garden is very famous among people who visited there themselves. I am one of them.
My best shot.

The pond of Pure Land Garden, Motsuji Temple, Hiraizumi

The garden is designed to let the Fujiwara lords hold seasonal parties in Heian era.

A stream to the pond of Pure Land Garden

The stream was for parties for poems. They used to flow small cups with some sake and write poems on a paper beside the stream. It was a place for beautiful arts.
Today it became a festival of Motsu-ji Temple on the 4th Sunday of May. People in Heian costumes do exactly the same thing around the stream.

The stream from the tiny bridge

A bell by the pond

I uploaded as many photos as possible so that you will see how beautiful Hiraizumi is and feel the calm times in a heaven in Northern Japan.
Pleased if you share my beautiful, precious trip in Hiraizumi!

Hiraizumi Travel Guide

How to Get To Hiraizumi from Tokyo
The simplest way is to get JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station and change trains to JR Tohoku Honsen Line, a local train, to Hiraizumi.
Around 2 hours 10 – 30 minutes from Tokyo to Ichinoseki and 7 minutes from Ichinoseki to Hiraizumi. 12,300 yen – for the Shinkansen ticket.
There are discount tickets on sale by JR Railway, travel agencies and tours.
Links

• Hiraizumi Tourism Association Official Website A helpful and beautiful site. In English, Chinese, Korean, French, Thai, and Japanese.
• Chuson-ji Temple Official Website Detailed explanations and photos.
• Motsu-ji Temple Official Website Detailed explanations and photos.

Accommodation

Hiraizumi is a small rural town, so just a few hotels are found.

• Shizukatei Hiraizumi: a small, cozy Ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel) with free shuttles from/to Hiraizumi station.
• Link to Hotels in Hiraizumi

If you want to stay near Hiraizumi, it is the best idea to stay in Ichinoseki. There are some business hotels, which are comfortable enough. Just 7 minutes ride by train to Hiraizumi.

• Hotel Route-Inn Ichinoseki Inter: one of the leading business hotel chains.
• Ramakkoro Yamaneko Yado: a Ryokan.
• Hotel Sunroute Ichinoseki: one of the leading business hotel chains.
• Toyoko Inn Ichinoseki Ekimae: one of the leading business hotel chains.
• Chisun Inn Iwate Ichinoseki: a business hotel.
• Atto Business Hotel Ichinoseki: a business hotel.
• Bellino Hotel Ichinoseki: the most luxury, European-style hotel around Ichinoseki.
• Link to Hotels in Ichinoseki

There are 2 campgrounds in Hiraizumi if you like.
From Tokyo, a day trip is possible, too.


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