Enjoy the world heritage site Hiraizumi! This is the recommended driving route!

In June 2011, the historic sites of Hiraizumi in Iwate Prefecture were registered as a World Heritage Site.
Typical historical sites that make up the World Heritage Site include Chuson-ji Temple and Motsu-ji Temple, but you'll want to visit as many sightseeing spots as time allows. Therefore, this time we will introduce recommended driving courses around Hiraizumi.

A must-see for anyone thinking about visiting World Heritage Sites.

Recommended driving courses in Hiraizumi

Tohoku Expressway Ichinoseki IC or Tohoku Shinkansen Ichinoseki Station
↓
Geibikei Boat Ride
↓
Chusonji Temple
↓
Motsuji
↓
Temple Ruins
↓
Esashi Fujiwara no Sato
↓
Tohoku Expressway Mizusawa IC or Tohoku Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi Station

Take a leisurely drive all day while heading north

From the starting point, Ichinoseki City, to the ending point, Esashi Fujiwara no Sato, stop at each sightseeing spot as you head north.

The best season for driving is from May to October. In the spring and summer, the Motsuji Iris Festival is held, and in the fall, you can see autumn leaves everywhere, including Geibikei Gorge. Prefectural Route 14 along the Kitakami River has a rural landscape that will give you a peaceful feeling.

However, traffic tends to be congested during Golden Week and summer holidays, so please allow plenty of time.

Enjoy a boat trip down Geibikei Gorge

After driving for about 40 minutes from Ichinoseki IC, you will arrive at Geibikei Gorge. Let's get off the car here and try the Geibikei boat ride. A boat trip to enjoy the wild and strangely shaped rocks takes about 90 minutes round trip.

The chirping of birds and the beautiful nature will soothe your soul and make you feel liberated.

Chusonji Temple

After leaving Geibikei and driving for about an hour, you will arrive at Chusonji Temple, a mecca for sightseeing in Hiraizumi.

Chusonji, known as Tohoku's most famous temple, is a must-see as it houses over 3,000 national treasures and important cultural properties, including the Golden Hall. There are also famous historical sites associated with Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Matsuo Basho, so you can spend a day exploring them. The temple grounds are very large, so we recommend setting aside at least 2 hours for sightseeing.

Motsuji Temple

Motsuji Temple, located about 3km away from Chusonji Temple, is a temple connected to the Oshu Fujiwara clan.

Among them, the Jodo garden, which represents the Pure Land world, is famous, and the Iris Festival is held in the spring. The Jodo garden, which is in the same condition as when it was first created, is worth a visit.

The Kanjizaio-in Temple Ruins, located a 1-minute walk away, is now a historic site, so be sure to visit it as well.

Esashi Fujiwara no Sato

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kenji Ito (@kenji_itou_)

Esashi Fujiwara no Sato, located approximately 33 km from Motsu-ji Temple, is a historical park that recreates buildings from the Oshu Fujiwara era, and is currently used as a filming location for historical dramas.

The government office where the Fujiwara clan conducted politics has been recreated, and you will feel as if you have traveled back in time to the Heian period.

summary

Hiraizumi has many attractive sightseeing spots and famous spots, but if you travel efficiently, you can visit most of the famous spots in one day. It is well worth a visit as you can enjoy the world heritage sites along with nature.

Enjoy historical sights while experiencing Iwate's nature.

INFORMATION

name	Geibikei Gorge
location	467 Nagasaka Azacho, Higashiyama-cho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture
telephone number	0191-47-2341
Official URL	http://www.geibikei.co.jp/funakudari/
GOOGLE MAP

INFORMATION

name	Sekizan Chusonji Temple
location	202 Kinoseki, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture
telephone number	0191-46-2211
Official URL	http://www.chusonji.or.jp/
GOOGLE MAP

INFORMATION

name	Motsuji Temple, the special head temple of the Tendai sect
location	58 Osawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture
telephone number	0191-46-2331
Official URL	http://www.motsuji.or.jp/
GOOGLE MAP

INFORMATION

name	Esashi Fujiwara no Sato
location	86-1 Iwayado Onamaru, Esashi Ward, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
telephone number	0197-35-7791
Official URL	http://www.fujiwaranosato.com/
GOOGLE MAP