[From Chugoku/Kyushu] Hiraizumi Tour/ Hiraizumi Trip

Hiraizumi Town is a town located in the southwestern part of Iwate Prefecture, and is famous as the base of the Oshu Fujiwara clan at the end of the Heian period.
During the time of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, Hiraizumi 's population is estimated to have been between 100,000 and 150,000, making it the second largest city in Japan at the time (estimated total population 10 million) after Heian-kyo.

The four gardens of Chusonji Temple and Motsuji Temple, including the Golden Hall (the ruins of the large pond at Chusonji Temple, Motsuji Temple, the ruins of Kanjizaio-in Temple, and Muryoko-in Temple), as well as Mount Kinkei, were recognized as having outstanding universal value as assets representing the land of Buddhism, and were registered by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites).

The splendid Kogane Cultural Heritage Sites, including Butsukyoji and Pure Land gardens, which developed independently while absorbing the culture of the capital during the last 100 years of the Heian period, were recognized as exceptional examples of local culture in the transitional period from ancient times to the Middle Ages.
This is the first cultural heritage site to be registered in Tohoku.

(Chusonji)

Chusonji Temple was founded by Ennin, a high priest of Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, in the third year of the Kasho era (850). Later, at the beginning of the 12th century, large-scale construction of temple buildings and pagodas was carried out by Kiyohira, the first head of the Oshu Fujiwara clan.
The Golden Hall, which still retains its original appearance from the time of Chusonji Temple's founding, was completed in 1124 and is an Amida Hall that is "all golden" with gold leaf applied to the inside and outside of the hall.

(Motsuji)

Motsu-ji Temple was founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin, and many temple buildings were constructed during the reigns of the second Fujiwara lord Motohira and the third Fujiwara lord Hidehira. In its heyday, it is said to have had 40 temple buildings and 500 monks' quarters, surpassing Chuson-ji in size and splendor. After the downfall of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, the temple suffered repeated disasters and all of the buildings were burned down, but today the Pure Land garden centered around Oizumigaike Pond and the remains of the temple buildings from the Heian period have been preserved in almost perfect condition, and the temple has been designated both as a Special National Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.

(After Muryo Koin)

This is the remains of a temple built by the third shogun, Hidehira, in imitation of the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin Temple Uji. Investigations revealed that the spaces between the pillars of the Amida Hall and the left and right transepts are larger than those of the Phoenix Hall, suggesting an ambition to surpass Byodoin Temple. The center line of the building connects with Mt. Kinkei to the west, and the image of the Pure Land paradise is Image in the setting sun over the ridgeline, making this a masterpiece of Pure Land gardens.

(Kanjizaiouin)

This is the remains of a temple said to have been built by the wife of the second lord, Motohira. The almost perfectly preserved remains of the Pure Land garden are thought to have been created in accordance with the methods outlined in Sakuteiki, Japan's oldest gardening manual, written in the Heian period. As the Dai-Amida Hall and Ko-Amida Hall were established on the north bank of the pond, the garden is thought to represent the Pure Land.

(High-rise building)

Takadate is a hill to the east of Chusonji Temple and is also known as Hangan-date. Takadate is said to be the place where Minamoto no Yoshitsune died, and the Yoshitsune Hall stands on it. You can see the Koromo River where Benkei was stranded, and the Kitakami River flows quietly below.

(Takkoku Rocks and Bishamondo)

This is a rock cave where Sakanoue no Tamuramaro enshrined Bishamonten as a memorial to his conquest of the Barbarians. The cliff-hanging Bishamon-do Hall has been rebuilt after each fire. The Heian period statue of Joroku Fudo Myo-o (a prefectural designated cultural property) and the "Great Rock Face Buddha" (a cliff-carved Buddha), said to be the northernmost Buddha, are also must-sees. The entire temple grounds are designated as a historic site.

The noodles are made from starch and wheat flour, and are smooth and chewy, with a spicy soup packed with the flavors of beef belly, beef bones, and chicken stock. It's an exquisite dish.

This souvenir is "wankosoba," a specialty dish from the Morioka and Hanamaki region.
This buckwheat is slightly dark in color, has the original flavor of buckwheat, and is chewy and elastic. It is made by kneading, training, and rolling the bush-type buckwheat.

Among the three great noodles of Morioka, this is a masterpiece that boasts a deep fanbase. The spicy sesame miso is exceptionally delicious!

Sanriku is known as a treasure trove of ingredients, and the best quality seafood was carefully selected from the abundant seafood available, and cooked to bring out the best in the ingredients' flavors.

We use carefully selected plums, green shiso leaves, golden rice cake flour, and other ingredients contracted with local farmers to pursue the best taste of the ingredients. Iwate It is a famous confectionery of Ichinoseki.

This cookie-type rice cracker is baked to a fragrant finish, making the most of the unique flavors of whole peanuts, sliced almonds, and white sesame seeds.

The famous confectionery "Kamome no Tamago" is based on the motif of a seagull playing in the great outdoors. It is a flavorful confectionery with moist and fluffy yellow bean paste wrapped in white chocolate.