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Hiraizumi [World Heritage Site]

Hiraizumi Town

Southern Iwate

Sightseeing SpotsHistory / CultureNature/Scenery/GardensShrines / TemplesHistorical sitesMuseumsWorld Heritage Sites

On June 29, 2011, Hiraizumi was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site as "Hiraizumi - Architecture, Gardens and Archaeological Heritage Group Representing the Buddhist Pure Land.
Hiraizumi is a splendid group of golden cultural heritage sites, including Buddhist temples and Pure Land gardens, which developed uniquely during the last 100 years of the Heian period (794-1185) while accepting the culture of the capital.
The five registered properties, Chuson-ji, Motsu-ji, Kanjizaio-in Ato, Muryokoin Ato, and Mount Kinkeisan, are the first cultural heritage sites in Tohoku to be registered as World Heritage sites.

residence/location
44, Hanadachi, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishibai-gun, Iwate 029-4102, Japan
Inquiries
Cultural Promotion Division, Culture and Sports Department, Iwate Prefecture
019-629-6488
Website
https://www.sekaiisan.pref.iwate.jp/Open in new tab
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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 SpotsHistory / CultureNature/Scenery/GardensShrines / TemplesWorld 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 SpotsNature/Scenery/GardensWorld Heritage Sites

Muryokoin Ruins [World Heritage Site]

Muryoko-in Temple, built by the third generation Hidehira, is modeled after the Phoenix Hall at Uji Byodo-in Temple. Hidehira Temple was adjacent to the Garan Imperial Palace, where he lived. Most of the ruins have been turned into rice paddies, but the ruins of the pond, Nakajima, and temple foundation still remain. According to the results of the excavation survey conducted in 1952, it was a magnificent temple, with the axis of the temple running from east to west passing through the east gate, bridge, middle island, and bridge hall, and beyond which one could see Mt. Kinkeizan. It is known that

Hiraizumi Town

Southern Iwate
Sightseeing SpotsHistory / CultureShrines / TemplesHistorical sitesWorld Heritage Sites