Saigyo Sakura Forest

Hiraizumi Town

Southern Iwate

Sightseeing Spots Nature/Scenery/Gardens

This is a famous spot for cherry blossoms that was once written about in a poem by Saigyo, saying, ``The cherry blossoms of Mt. Takuine without any hesitation should bloom in addition to Yoshino.'' In the past, the cherry blossom forest, where pale peach blossoms made the mountain look hazy, has been revived. More than 3,000 cherry blossoms of 100 different species, including Oyamazakura, have been planted, and their branches are showing off their splendor year after year. Mount Tsukuine is likened to Kyoto's Higashiyama and is also known for its Daimonji ware. From the observation deck, you can get a panoramic view of Hiraizumi's cultural center, including Chusonji, Motsuji, and Takadate. [Blooming period] Late April

residence/location: 95-741 Nagashima Fukayama, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishibai-gun, Iwate 029-4101
Inquiries: Hiraizumi Town Agriculture and Forestry Promotion Division
Tel: 0191-46-5564
Fax: 0191-46-3080
Website: https://www.town.hiraizumi.iwate.jp/index.cfm/24,1001,127,274,html

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Dargakku Bishamon-do Hall

Even before Kiyohira settled in Hiraizumi, several temples had already been built in and around Hiraizumi. One of them is Saikoji Temple. According to the temple law, when Sakanoue Tamuramaro subdued Ezo, he built Bishamon-do Hall in imitation of Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera Temple in gratitude for the blessings of Bishamonten, and built 108 Tamonten statues following Kurama-dera Temple. It is said that it began when the shrine was dedicated to The circumstances surrounding Ezo and Tamuramaro have become the subject of many stories and folklore, and they also add color to the temple legends of Saikoji Temple. Bishamondo was destroyed by fire twice, and the current one was rebuilt in 1963.

Hiraizumi Town

Southern Iwate

History / Culture Nature/Scenery/Gardens Shrines / Temples

Chusonji Temple [World Heritage Site]

This is the main temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism in the Tohoku region. The name of the mountain is Kanzan, and Jikaku Daishi is the founder of the temple. In the early 12th century, Kiyohira, the first generation of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, built a number of pagodas, including a pagoda and a two-story hall. The purpose was to comfort the souls of those who died in the long wars of the Former Nine Years' War and the Later Three Years' War, and to build a Buddhist land. Although the pagodas were sadly destroyed by fire in the 14th century, the temple is still a treasure house of Heian art, containing over 3000 national treasures and important cultural properties, including Konjikido.

Hiraizumi Town

Southern Iwate

Sightseeing Spots History / Culture Nature/Scenery/Gardens Shrines / Temples World Heritage Sites

Kinkeishan [World Heritage Site]

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.

Hiraizumi Town

Southern Iwate

Sightseeing Spots Nature/Scenery/Gardens World Heritage Sites