Kanjizaiō-in, Buddhist temple ruins in Hiraizumi, Japan
Kanjizaiō-in is a restored Buddhist temple site featuring a Pure Land garden in present-day Hiraizumi. The garden centers on Maizurugaike Pond with its stone bridges and natural elements, positioned where the Amidado buildings once stood.
It was founded by the wife of Fujiwara no Motohira, second ruler of the Oshu-Fujiwara clan, during the Heian period. The site declined during the Kamakura period and remained hidden until archaeological work between 1973 and 1976 uncovered its foundations.
The garden follows Pure Land Buddhist ideas, with the pond and bridges representing a spiritual journey to paradise. Visitors can still see these beliefs reflected in how the stones and paths are arranged today.
The site is open to visitors year-round and free to explore at any time, with the garden looking especially lovely during spring and autumn. Visitors should expect unpaved paths and wear sturdy shoes, especially after rainfall.
The pond's water system followed precise instructions from the Sakuteiki, a Heian-period gardening manual that specified using large river stones to guide water flow. This ancient design method reveals how carefully early Japanese gardeners planned their work.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
