[2025 Hiraizumi Attraction] Travel Guide for Chūson-ji Temple (Updated Mar)

[Access] 202 Kinuzeki, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture [Points] ~Enjoy the World Heritage Site at your leisure~ It is said that Chusonji Temple was founded in 850 by Ennin, a high priest of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei. Chusonji Temple is said to be a treasure trove of Heian art and a national treasure and important cultural property, and once you step inside, you will feel a sense of calm. This is a spot you cannot miss when sightseeing in Iwate. *Information as of May 2023. #Tourism

#Chusonji #Hiraizumi Chusonji Golden Hall. The main hall of this temple, known as a World Heritage Site, is very impressive. In fact, you can visit the main hall for free. There is a fee to enter the Golden Hall, and photography is prohibited, but I was overwhelmed by the sight I had never seen before. It is said that Matsuo Basho also visited this place and composed his haiku. Benkei's grave is also near Chusonji. The land of Chusonji is very vast, and there is a small shrine inside the temple, so it is well worth seeing! Also, since it was a weekday, there were few tourists and it was easy to see. #Historic site with a sense of history

#japantrip Chūson-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hiraizumi, Iwate, is a masterpiece of Japanese Buddhist heritage. Founded in 850 by the Fujiwara clan, the temple complex is famed for its stunning Konjikidō (Golden Hall), a lavishly gilded structure housing sacred Buddhist statues. Surrounded by serene cedar forests, Chūson-ji offers a peaceful retreat with scenic walking trails and historic treasures. The temple’s rich history, intricate architecture, and cultural significance make it a must-visit for history and spiritual seekers alike. In autumn, vibrant foliage enhances its beauty, while winter blankets it in a magical layer of snow, creating a breathtaking scene.

#voyagevibes Chuusonji was opened in 850 by Ennin, the master of Jikaku of Enryaku-ji Temple in Mt. Hiei, and at the beginning of the 12th century, more pagodas were built by the Oshu Fujiwara clan. Many of the buildings burned down in the 14th century, but more than 3,000 Heian art works still remain and are designated as national treasures and important cultural properties. " The "Kinden Hall" is the only building that conveys its original appearance to this day, and the interior and exterior of the hall are beautifully decorated with gold leaf. Access - About 5 minutes by bus from "Hiraizumi Station" on the JR Tohoku Main Line, about 15 minutes on foot from "Chusonji Bus Stop"

When I went to Iwate, I went to the Konjikido 🍁 This year, 2024, is the 900th anniversary of the Konjikido, and they had limited edition goshuin and omamori charms!!! 〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 ✔️Recommended points 〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 ⚫︎On the way to Chusonji, there are halls and wankosoba restaurants, so it's fun to take a walk 👣 ⚫︎There are limited edition cut-out goshuin and omamori charms for the 900th anniversary! ⚫︎Photography is prohibited at the Konjikido 🙅♀️, so you have to go to the site to see it! It was really beautiful and gold, so I recommend you go and see it!!! ⚫︎You can also enjoy the autumn leaves from October to November🍁 I went in late October, so I was able to enjoy the green to red gradation and it was beautiful...!!! ⚫︎Each temple along the way has a different goshuin, so it's also recommended for those who collect goshuin🤤 〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 You can also enjoy the autumn leaves at this time of year, so it's a place that I recommend for those who like goshuin while enjoying the autumn leaves🍁!!! Maybe because it's 900 years old, the parking lot was full and it was very crowded, so I recommend going in the morning🫶 ---- 📍 Access 🚄Tohoku Shinkansen Tokyo to Ichinoseki Station about 2 hours 20 minutes 🚃Tohoku Main Line Ichinoseki to Hiraizumi Station about 10 minutes 🚌Hiraizumi Station Shuttle Bus Hiraizumi Station to Chusonji Temple About 10 minutes 👣About 15 minutes walk from the bus stop 🍁Prices Golden Hall admission ticket Adults 1,000 yen High school students 700 yen Middle school students 500 yen Elementary school students 300 yen ※Admission is free for all buildings except the Golden Hall. 🕰️Opening hours (precincts open all year round) March 1st to November 3rd / 8:30-17:00 November 4th to the end of February / 8:30-16:30 ※Ticket issuance stops 10 minutes before. ---- #Domestic travel record #Chusonji Temple #Iwate tourism #Temple stamp #Autumn leaves

#traveldiaries #japan #japantrip #iwate What I find particularly captivating about Iwate is its connection to Japan’s history and spirituality. Sites like Chuson-ji Temple and the World Heritage Site Hiraizumi showcase the region’s ancient Buddhist heritage, while also offering moments of reflection and beauty. The prefecture’s historical festivals, such as the Chagu Chagu Umakko horse festival, keep traditional customs alive in a vibrant way. Iwate’s combination of unspoiled nature and rich cultural experiences makes it a remarkable destination for travelers looking to connect with Japan’s traditions while enjoying its scenic grandeur. It’s a place where time seems to slow down, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the simplicity and beauty of life.

There are buses to Chusonji from Hiraizumi Station or Ichinoseki Station. There are few buses, so be sure to check before you go. However, if you like walking, you can also walk to Hiraizumi Station. The main attraction of Chusonji is the Golden Hall, but I like Benkei-do, where Benkei is enshrined. The first photo is of the inside. The grounds of Chusonji, which start from Tsukimizaka, are vast, and there are many things to see, so I hope you will take your time. The 10th and 11th photos are of lunch at Cafe SEKIMAYA, which is located on the way from Chusonji to Hiraizumi Station. The pasta here was incredibly delicious! There are also other tourist spots such as Motsu-ji Temple, Kinkei-san, and the remains of Muryoko-in Temple. However, if you use the bus, be careful as there are few buses. #WorldHeritage #Hiraizumi #HiraizumiTourism

[Access] About 25 minutes by taxi from Ichinoseki Station Inside Chusonji Temple [Points] Hakusan Shrine is related to the faith of Hakusan, and is said to have been spread throughout the country by ascetics who trained at the sacred mountain of Hakusan in the Hokuriku region. The Noh stage and torii gates in the shrine grounds are said to have been built and donated by the former lord of the Date clan, Date Yoshikuni, in 1853. Please visit Hakusan Shrine, where time flows at a leisurely pace. *Information current as of May 2023. #Tourist Spots

Location: Autumn leaves at Chusonji Temple, World Heritage Site [Hiraizumi] Address: 202, Hiraizumi Kinuzeki, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture Visited: 22.11.08 It was a sacred place with beautiful autumn leaves and a sense of history. A chrysanthemum exhibition was also held. In summary, Chusonji Temple is a place of non-combat determination to comfort the spirits of all living things, regardless of friend or foe, and to build a Buddhist land, and I agree. Amazing, Chusonji Temple 😊 #Autumn leaves #Autumn leaf viewing #Hiraizumi #Chusonji Temple #A place where you can feel history #A trip to touch history and culture

The Zhongzun Temple in Iwate Prefecture was built in the 850s of the Tiantai Ancestral Temple in the northeast of the Tiantai Mountains. At the beginning of the 12th century, the early dynasty of Ouyoshi Fujiwara built a large temple. Although many temples and pagodas were burned down in the early 14th century, more than 3,000 national treasures and important cultural assets such as the Golden Church were preserved. Zhongzun Temple has now been registered as a World Heritage Site. There are many Buddhist temples in Zhongzun Temple and an outdoor energy stage. The golden church was built in 1124 and is the only building that has been preserved since the founding period. The entire hall is covered with gold foil. Because there is no picture inside and there are no buildings outside, there are no photos. The Zhongzun Temple in Pingquan and the Maoyue Temple, the Ruiyan Temple in Songdo, and the Lishi Temple in the Yamagata Mountain Temple were all created by Master Tsaoju. The so-called "Temple of the Four Temples" is also the tour of the "Oshu Trail" on the way. Passed the temple. There is a statue of a pine-tailed banana in the temple. address