Mōtsū-ji, Buddhist temple in Hiraizumi, Japan
Mōtsū-ji is a Buddhist temple in Hiraizumi centered around a large pond with gardens spreading outward in all directions. The temple buildings stand within this designed landscape, making the entire complex a unified space of water and earth.
The temple was founded in the mid-9th century and flourished under the Northern Fujiwara family during the 12th century. At its peak, the complex became one of the largest and most important monasteries in the region.
The garden here expresses Buddhist beliefs through water, islands, and plants arranged as a reflection of paradise. As you walk through, you sense how the layout guides the mind toward spiritual contemplation.
The site is open year-round, opening in the morning and closing in the afternoon with slight seasonal variations. The grounds are easy to navigate on foot, allowing visitors to explore all areas without difficulty.
The main pond and surrounding garden have retained their original design across centuries. This ancient arrangement reveals how people once shaped water and plants to create meaningful places.
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