1-Day Tour from Ichinoseki: Temple Highlights of World Heritage Site Hiraizumi

Explore the World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi with this scenic walking tour!

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.

Highlights

• Visit historic temples that feature Pure Land Buddhism
• Learn about the area's importance to the Tohoku region as a World Heritage Site
• Discover the walkable town of Hiraizumi and its local history
• Experience the quiet calm of Japan's less-traveled countryside 

*For those looking to join the tour from Tokyo, please see the FAQ Section below

Description

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. 

Motsuji Temple was founded by the traveling monk Ennin in the year 850. He was under orders from the emperor to head north and spread the foundations of Buddhism, specifically Pure Land Buddhism which he is accredited for introducing to Japan after his extensive travels in China. 

Pure Land Buddhism is a particularly popular practice of Buddhism throughout Japan and one that emphasizes achieving rebirth into a Pure Land – a transcendent place without suffering. The pond at Motsuji Temple is said to emphasize this sense of peace and has been regarded as a place of protected scenic beauty for years. The pond itself has not changed shape for over 800 years and regardless of the season offers a lovely photogenic view.

It is said that when Ennin was traveling, he got lost in a dense fog. Within this fog was a white-tailed deer that he followed desperately only for it to vanish within the thick fog once again. In its place an elderly man appeared and told Ennin the following: "This is a sacred place. If you build a temple here, the Buddhist law shall surely spread among the people."

Ennin believed this wise man was in fact an incarnation of the healing Buddha, and heeded his words to build the first main hall of the temple grounds. This is the legend that began the foundations of Motsuji Temple.

We will then walk our way toward our next destination.

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 site itself represents Buddhist Pure land, consoling the souls of all – friend or foe – who died in the major conflicts plaguing Tohoku near the end of the 11th century.

The Hiraizumi area, which includes the gardens, temples, and archeological sites, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. The biggest draw to the area is Chuson-ji's massive temple complex filled with a variety of sacred halls, nature, and artifacts.

Some of the highlights from this impressive temple complex include the scenic sloped pathway up to the main halls, called the Tsukimizaka Slope (Moon Viewing Slope), the Hondo Main Hall, Konjikido Golden Hall, the Noh Stage, and the Sankozo Museum which holds many artifacts from the Heian Period.

Konjikido Golden Hall is known throughout all of Japan and people from all over travel to get a look at this impressive structure. The small hall is dedicated to the Amida Buddha and is iconically covered with gold leaf both inside and out. Your guide will take you through the temple grounds offering insights and stories of what the structures are, their cultural and religious importance, all while you take in the historic surroundings.

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 walking and using local trains, it is advised that guests who wish to continue their travels onward schedule their departures later than 4:30 PM.

TOUR MEETUP POINT

ICHINOSEKI STATION @ 10:00 A.M.

The meetup point is in front of the Three Wise Ōtsuki statue (大槻三賢人像), located just outside of the west exit at Ichinoseki Station.

If you are arriving via JR lines, follow the signs to the west exit and find the statue outside straight ahead.

If you are arriving via shinkansen, please look for signs directing you towards the west exit. First, you will go through the ticket gates that exit the shinkansen area. BE ADVISED: a paper ticket will come out again at this gate because you will have one more ticket gate to go through at the west exit, so be sure to grab it before proceeding onward. Walk through the corridor and head down a flight of stairs to an area that has outdoor, local train platforms to your left. Continue following the signs for the west exit. It is a relatively small area and you can see the statue outside through the glass doors straight ahead from the gates.

For those coming from outside the station, you will want to head toward the west exit. Entering in the east exit is possible but you must buy a platform ticket (入場券 - nyūjōken) for 150 yen in order to walk through to the west exit.

You may wait near the statue until the tour begins at 10:00 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign. 

NOTES

Included

• English speaking guide
• All train fares during the tour
• Entry fee at all locations

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Transportation to/from the start and end points of the tour

Other Information

• Please note that this tour uses public transport, not a private vehicle. Due to this tour using public transport, timings are subject to some change if traffic is poor, train delays, or the day of travel is particularly busy. 
• This tour involves several hours of walking outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
• It is recommended that you do not bring any luggage or large bags with you on the tour. It is advised that you check if your hotel can store your luggage for you, send it ahead to your next destination, or store your luggage at or near Ichinoseki Station.
• There will be free time during the tour for guests to purchase food and souvenirs to remember their trip.

Tour Availability Disclaimer

All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.