Hiraizumi

Hiraizumi is a town in the Nishiiwai district featuring multiple Buddhist temple complexes and traditional gardens scattered throughout the area. The site contains structures representing different architectural styles and garden designs that reflect medieval Japanese religious practice.

The town was established as an administrative center by the Northern Fujiwara clan in 1100 and quickly grew into a major city. It rivaled Kyoto in both size and influence, remaining a center of power for several generations.

The Chūson-ji temple complex features the Konjikidō, a hall covered in gold leaf that displays the craftsmanship of 12th-century Japanese artisans. Walking through the site, you encounter the building techniques and aesthetic choices that shaped this era.

The town is accessible by train with direct connections from major cities in the region. Once there, regular bus services transport visitors to the various temples and gardens throughout the area.

The gardens of Mōtsū-ji employ precise mathematical alignments that account for astronomical positions. This layout reveals how medieval Japanese scholars integrated geometry and celestial knowledge into garden design.

Location: Nishiiwai district

Inception: April 1, 1889

Founders: Fujiwara no Kiyohira

Shares border with: Ichinoseki, Oshu

Address: Hiraizumi, Nishiiwai District, Iwate, Japan

Website: https://town.hiraizumi.iwate.jp

GPS coordinates: 38.98661,141.11383

Latest update: December 6, 2025 22:00