This article will tell you a little bit about the temple, the area, and what you can expect during a visit there.
Where is Chuson-ji Temple?
Chuson-ji is located in the Hiraizumi area of Iwate Prefecture. It is a leisurely 20 minute walk from JR Hiraizumi Station. To get to Hiraizumi Station, you can take the local Tohoku Line directly from the shinkansen Ichinoseki Station. A one way trip takes about 10 to 15 minutes and costs 210 yen.
How to Get to Chuson-ji Temple
From Tokyo:
Take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station bound for Shin-Aomori or Morioka. Ride for about 2 and a half hours and get off at Ichinoseki Station. From Ichinoseki Station, you can take the local Tohoku Line directly to Hiraizumi Station. The trip in total takes about 3 hours and costs around 13,190 yen.
From Sendai:
Similar to arriving from Tokyo, you can take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Sendai Station and head north toward Shin-Aomori or Morioka. The shinkansen ride from Sendai to Ichinoseki Station is about 33 minutes. Once you're at Ichinoseki, follow the above directions to Hiraizumi Station. The trip in total from Sendai to Hiraizumi takes about an hour and costs 4,290 yen one way.
From Hokkaido:
Many travelers like to jump from Tokyo to Hokkaido via plane, then mosey their way southward. Take the Hokkaido or Tohoku Shinkansen from Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station to Morioka Station. From Morioka Station you can take the local Tohoku Line bound for Ichinoseki Station. This train stops at Hiraizumi Station, so you don't have to take it all the way to Ichinoseki Station. The trip from Hokkaido takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes and costs 15,400 yen.
A Brief History
Chuson-ji Temple was created in 1105 by Fujiwara no Kyohira, the head of the northern Fujiwara clan. Although Kiyohira suffered great tragedy throughout his life, he swore to embrace the Pure Land Buddhism practices and create a sacred temple. This temple was Chuson-ji and it was a physical promise that it welcomed all the lost souls lost during war regardless if they were friend or foe.
- The temple grounds were once home to more than 40 halls and pagodas and quarters for 300 monks.
- The museum at the temple houses over 3,000 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
- The famous golden hall, Konjikido, is said to hold the mummified remains of three generations of the Fujiwara clan and is considered one of Japan’s most historically significant structures.
Recommended Tour: Snow Monkey Resort’s 1-Day Tour from Ichinoseki: Temple Highlights of World Heritage Site Hiraizumi is the perfect day tour from Ichinoseki Station to get all the best historic highlights of the area. This tour will give you further insight to the historic significance of the temples of Hiraizumi UNESCO World Heritage Site and give you the chance to walk through the town to really get that local feel of what northern Japan life is really like. This tour is perfect for travelers making their way up or down the main island and wanting a quick day trip before continuing on to their next destination via shinkansen.
New Tour
1-Day Tour from Ichinoseki: Temple Highlights of World Heritage Site Hiraizumi
- Spots:
- Pick-up:
- Ichinoseki
- Drop-off:
Seasonal Highlights:
- April - July: Enjoy the lush greenery and the cries of cicadas in the surrounding trees.
- September - November: Gorgeous fall foliage dots the temple complex with bright yellows and reds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the area walkable?
Yes. The entire area of Hiraizumi is generally walkable with paved pedestrian sidewalks. Generally it can take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes to walk from Hiraizumi Station to Chuson-ji Temple. There are also taxis available to call if necessary.
How do I get to Chuson-ji Temple?
From Tokyo:
Take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station bound for Shin-Aomori or Morioka. Ride for about 2 and a half hours and get off at Ichinoseki Station. From Ichinoseki Station, you can take the local Tohoku Line directly to Hiraizumi Station. The trip in total takes about 3 hours and costs around 13,190 yen.
From Sendai:
Similar to arriving from Tokyo, you can take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Sendai Station and head north toward Shin-Aomori or Morioka. The shinkansen ride from Sendai to Ichinoseki Station is about 33 minutes. Once you're at Ichinoseki, follow the above directions to Hiraizumi Station. The trip in total from Sendai to Hiraizumi takes about an hour and costs 4,290 yen one way.
From Hokkaido:
Take the Hokkaido or Tohoku Shinkansen from Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station to Morioka Station. From Morioka Station you can take the local Tohoku Line bound for Ichinoseki Station. This train stops at Hiraizumi Station, so you don't have to take it all the way to Ichinoseki Station. The trip from Hokkaido takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes and costs 15,400 yen.
Is there food sold here or nearby?
Yes! There are plenty of local shops located within a convenient walking distance between Hiraizumi station and the temple itself. There is delicious matcha ice cream sold within the temple grounds too.
Is the temple wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately no. Due to the unchanged historic nature of the temple's sloped approach and grounds, it does not have wheelchair accessibility.
Additional Tips
- Respect the rituals: Although it is a popular tourist destination, it is first and foremost a place of worship. Please be respectful and mindful of the space.
- Prepare for Inclement weather: The temple is open all year round, but can see heavy rains in the fall and lots of snow in winter.
- Combine with a visit to Sendai: With its convenient distance from Sendai, the city of trees is a great companion for your trip to the less beaten paths of Tohoku.
