This tour offers you an in-depth look at significant Buddhist temples in the town of Hiraizumi in the Iwate Prefecture. Motsuji Temple and Chuson-ji Temple are two of the most famous religious sites in the town of Hiraizumi and offer some spectacular views. This tour will cover the cultural significance of the area as well as give you a deeper appreciation for the lengths Japan has gone through to preserve their long, rich history.
This tour will start at Ichinoseki Station at 10:00 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Three Wise Ōtsuki statue located just outside of West Exit. We will then head off to Hiraizumi via local train.
Our first stop for the day is Motsuji Temple, a special historical site and a place of scenic beauty. Motsuji is regarded as a living remnant of the Heian period, specifically in its garden. Its iconic pond is said to resemble sandbanks and wind-swept coastlines, giving visitors a sense of calm as they walk along the promenade.
Walking through the town of Hiraizumi will give you an intimate look at the daily lives of people living in the less bustling towns in the north of Japan. Depending on the season, you can see lovely gardens, school children walking with matching hats, sometimes even the occasional postal worker delivering a package. These mundane daily occurrences remind us that Japan is much more than pop culture, kawaii characters, and bright lights.
We will make a brief stop at a local cultural center to further learn and appreciate the history and dedication the townsfolk have toward preserving their story. Your guide will offer you some historical highlights and tidbits that paint the picture of what Hiraizumi was and continues to be today. This includes history about samurai, local folk, and religion alike.
We will then continue on toward our main temple, Chuson-ji. Chuson-ji Temple is the head temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism in the Tohoku region, It was founded in 850 by traveling monk Ennin and continues to be regarded as one of the most important Buddhist temples in northern Japan. The Hiraizumi area, which includes the gardens, temples, and archeological sites, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
We’ll wrap up our day by venturing back to Ichinoseki Station, where your guide will say their goodbyes. The tour will conclude around 3:30 PM. Due to the nature of the tour, specifically using local trains, it is advised that guests who wish to continue their travels onward schedule their departures later than 4:00 PM.
