[Hiraizumi Walk] Motsuji Temple ~ Half-day course ~

Motsu-ji Temple, a separate head temple of the Tendai sect, is called Iiozan (Mt. Iio) and was founded by the great priest Jikaku in 850.
In the late Heian period (794-1185), Motohira (the second Fujiwara lord of Oshu) and Hidehira (the third Fujiwara lord of Oshu) built a magnificent temple complex, including Kondo Enryu-ji and Kasho-ji.
Although the temple buildings of those days were regrettably destroyed by fire due to repeated disasters, the " Pure Land Garden" centering on Oizumigaike Pond and the remains of Heian-period temple buildings have been preserved in almost perfect condition and have been designated as both a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government.

It is said that the Kanjizaioin Temple ruins adjacent to the east of Motsuji Temple were run by the second wife of Motohira. The temple area is 120m from east to west and 240m from north to south. The square garden pond (Maizuru-ga-ike) with rounded corners is dotted with rock formations made of piled up megaliths similar to rough seashores, a small Suhama beach, and a long central island running east to west. On the north bank is a plaza, towards which are the remains of the Great Amida-do Hall to the west and the remains of the Small Amida-do Hall to the east. On the east bank, there are also the ruins of the bell tower and the ruins said to be Fugendo.

Mount Kinkeisan is an elegant cone-shaped mountain. According to legend, Hidehira built the mountain in a single night by having laborers carry stones as far as the Kitakami River, and buried a pair of golden chickens.
There were several sutra mounds built on the top of Mt. However, they were stolen in 1930 and are now half destroyed. The artifacts excavated at that time are kept at the Tokyo National Museum and Motsu-ji Temple, respectively.

On April 14, 2009, Hiraizumi Town integrated the Hiraizumi Local Museum and the Town Cultural Heritage Center to open the Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center. As a guidance facility that provides an easy-to-understand introduction to Hiraizumi's cultural heritage, and as a visitor center for sightseeing in the town, it introduces a wide range of Hiraizumi's history and culture.