Experience the golden age of the North at Chūson-ji Temple (中尊寺), the spiritual heart of Hiraizumi and a centerpiece of the region’s UNESCO World Heritage status. Established in the 9th century, this expansive forest sanctuary was envisioned by the Northern Fujiwara clan as a “Pure Land” on earth, a realm of peace and enlightenment. Its crown jewel, the Golden Hall (Konjikidō, 金色堂), is a breathtaking 12th-century structure completely covered in gold leaf and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay, serving as one of Japan’s most spectacular architectural treasures. Whether you are strolling down the ancient, cedar-lined Tsukizaka slope, exploring the treasure hall’s Buddhist statues, or admiring the seasonal beauty of the lotus ponds, Chūson-ji offers a profound journey into the history, art, and soul of Tohoku.
What to See at Chūson-ji Temple
- About Chūson-ji
- East-Observation-Deck
- Benkeidō Hall (弁慶堂)
- Hondō Hall (本堂)
- Mineyakushidō Hall (峯薬師堂)
- Konjikidō Golden Hall (金色堂)
- Other Attractions at Chūson-ji Temple
- Cultural Experiences at Chūson-ji Temple
- How Long Does It Take to Explore Chūsonji
- Festivals at Chūson-ji Temple
- Chūson-ji Temple’s Fall Foliage Season
- Chūson-ji’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
Tips:
☛ You can also spend a night at Hiraizumi. Hiraizumi Hotel Musashibou is a nice option. The hotel provides free pick-up and drop-off service.
☛ Get an Audio Guide to make the most out of your visit to Hiraizumi.
Explore Hiraizumi With a Guided Tour
If you prefer a guide to introduce you to the historical town, consider joining one of the tours below.
- Hiraizumi Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
- Hiraizumi Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
About Chūson-ji
Like Motsuji Temple not too far away, Chūsonji was also founded by Jikaku Daishi (慈覚大師) in 850, based on Pure Land Buddhism. While most of the halls on the temple’s grounds were burnt down in 1377, they were restored to their former glory.
With numerous cultural treasures at Chūsonji Temple (including buildings, paintings, and calligraphy), it is known as a treasure trove of Heian Buddhism and is registered as a World Heritage Site.
East Observation Deck (東物見台)
As soon as you go past the main gate of Chūsonji Temple, hiking up the steep Tsukimizaka Slope (月見坂) will lead you to this lookout next to Benkei-dō. The observation deck on your right will give you a panoramic view of Hiraizumi town, which will surely give you a relaxing vibe (^_-)-☆.
There is also a small pavilion where you can rest (at the lower right corner in the photo).
Another way to get to the East Observation Deck is from the Benkeidō Hall. If you have followed the road sign and made a left turn instead of following the main road, you will arrive at Benkeidō first. As the worship hall is slightly higher than the observation deck, you can get a clearer view of the townscape.
Benkeidō Hall (弁慶堂)
Benkeido was built in 1827 and its principal image is Shōgun Jizō (勝軍地蔵). It was originally called Atagodo, but came to be called Benkeido since the Meiji period, when wooden statues of Yoshitsune (義経) and Benkei (弁慶) were enshrined.
Apparently, the coffered ceiling inside the worship hall is painted with over 60 types of flowers.
If you are a bit hungry before you head to Benkeido, get a Benkei mochi rice cake skewer from the shop at the entrance of the worship hall’s approach. The rice cakes are grilled, then a layer of sweetened soy sauce is brushed over them.
Hondō Hall (本堂)
After seeing the gate in the photo below, you will know you are really close to the Main Hall of Chūsonji Temple. Like the front gate of Motsuji Temple, this gate was relocated from Ichinose Castle in 1659. Most traditional rituals are performed at Hondō, which was rebuilt in 1909.
The coolest thing we thought about the hall is not only the main statue, Gautama Buddha, which is 2.7 meters tall, but also the history of the eternal lights on both sides.
Apparently, the lights were lit with the flame from one of the Three Holiest Places in Japan, Enryaku-Ji Temple (延暦寺) in Mt. Hiei in Kyoto/Shiga, which is quite far away from Hiraizumi town, so we wonder how… The flame has shone since the temple’s founder, Saichō, lit it back in the 800s!
And lastly, if you have visited the Byōdōin (平等院) in Kyoto, you might find some similarities between the two halls as they were all valuable heritages from the Heian era (*’▽’).
Mineyakushidō Hall (峯薬師堂)
Passing the main hall, you will see this gorgeous little hall – Mineyakushi-dō. The small worship hall was originally built on another side of the hill within the temple grounds. However, it was moved to its current location in 1689 after the building was affected by repeated wildfires.
Make sure you say your prayers to the Healing Buddha here if you have any eye-related problems!
The Healing Buddha originally enshrined at Mineyakushido can now be seen at the temple’s museum, Sankōzō (讃衡蔵).
Konjikidō Golden Hall (金色堂)
The Golden Hall of Chūson-ji temple will be the highlight of your visit. Once enough people are inside Konjikido, the staff will explain the exhibits. Audio guides in English and Chinese are also played continuously to ensure international visitors have a clear understanding of what they are seeing.
The preciousness isn’t just because the rest of the building is covered in gold leaf, except for the hall’s roof. It is also due to the heretical importance that it conveys the highly sophisticated artistic techniques of the late Heian era.
The other shocking fact to us about this hall is apart from the main Buddha, Amida Nyorai (the Buddha of Infinite Light), it is also a mausoleum of the mummified remains of four leaders of the Fujiwara clan (we really thought mummies were unique to Egypt…).
Just to clarify, the golden Konjikidō is housed in the building in the photo. We were very confused about how traditional architecture is decorated with gold leaves, because none of the parts seems to be shining (´▽｀*).
The small golden worship hall is now preserved inside the wooden building. While photography isn’t allowed inside Konjikido, you can take photos of the image panels of the Buddha statues enshrined there at the temple’s museum, Sankōzō (讃衡蔵).
Other Attractions at Chūson-ji Temple
As illustrated in the map on the official Japanese website HERE, there are several other charming halls you can visit, including the Hakusan Shrine and its Noh Theater.
There are also 12 small shrines at the back of Hakusan Shrine, each for a zodiac sign. Find the shrine for your zodiac and pray to your guardian god!
How Long Does It Take to Explore Chūson-ji
To fully appreciate the temple may take you an hour or two. But don’t worry, even if you arrive at the temple in the late afternoon, as long as it’s still bright outside, you will be able to stroll around on the temple’s grounds!
Different from other temples in Japan, Chūsonji Temple’s grounds are open 24/7. It is just that you won’t be able to access the interior of the halls (´▽｀*).
Cultural Experiences at Chūson-ji Temple
- Tea Ceremony at Shōjuan (松寿庵): 1,000 yen for a bowl of tea and a traditional Japanese sweet
- Sitting meditation: 1,000 yen, reservation required
- Copying Buddhist sutra using calligraphy: 1,000 yen, reservation required
Festivals at Chūson-ji Temple
There are several festivals and events held at Chūsonji Temple throughout the year. Most of the events involve rich cultural elements. So if you happen to travel to Iwate prefecture around the dates below, you will probably want to plan your visit to Hiraizumi accordingly (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
- December 31 to January 1: Hatsumoute (初詣): Where you pray for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
- Early February: Setsubune (節分会): Where you receive blessings from Buddha and gods.
- May 1 to 5: Spring Fujihara Festival (春の藤原まつり)
- Refer HERE to brief information about the festival.
- On May 4 and 5, traditional Noh plays are performed at the Noh theater at Shirayama Shrine (白山神社) on Chūsonji Temple’s grounds)
- August 14: Takiginoh – (薪能): From late afternoon, traditional Noh play is performed at Shirayama Shrine.
- August 16: Daimonji Okuribi (大文字送り火): A big character dai (大), is written on Mt.Tabashine, opposite the hill where the Chūsonji Temple is located. The ritual is performed to farewell the ancestor’s spirits.
- October 22 to November 15: Chrysanthemum Festival (菊まつり): Around 500 Chrysanthemums are displayed at the temple’s grounds during this period.
- The end of October till mid-November: Light-up event (紅葉銀河): from 4 pm to 6:30 pm
- November 1 to 3: Fall Fujihara Festival (秋の藤原まつり)
- Refer HERE for brief information on the festival. On November 3, traditional Noh plays are performed at the Noh theatre at Shirayama Shrine (白山神社), and traditional folk performances take place on the grounds of Chusonji Temple.
Chūson-ji Temple’s Fall Foliage Season
Chūsonji Temple’s fall foliage season is between late October and early November!
Chūson-ji’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- 8:30 am to 5 pm between March 1 and November 3
- 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from November 4 to the end of February
- The admission fee is
- 1,000 yen for adults
- 700 yen for senior high school students
- 500 yen for junior high school students
- 300 yen for elementary school students
Important: Please note that the admission tickets to Konjikidō, Sankōzō Museum, Sutra Repository, and Former Konjikidō Shelter Hall can only be obtained up to 10 minutes before the end of opening hours on the day.
Explore Other Astonishing Temples in Hiraizumi
Discover why this tranquil town, easily accessible via the Tohoku Shinkansen, remains an essential stop for those seeking Japan’s hidden golden age. Established in the 12th century by the powerful Oshu Fujiwara clan, Hiraizumi was designed as a physical manifestation of the Buddhist Pure Land. In addition to Chusonji, be sure to visit other stunning attractions in the small town!
For more information, refer to our article on Hiraizumi!
