Museums
Hiraizumi: Chuson-ji
Andrew CheckleyOn a wooded hill in Iwate, you can find the unfaded remnants of an ancient golden age.
Chusonji Temple
Chusonji is a Buddhist temple in the city of Hiraizumi in southern Iwate Prefecture. It is the main temple of the Tendai sect in the Tohoku region in northern Honshu. The temple is said to have been founded in 850 by Ennin, a monk associated with Enryakuji Monastery and the third abbot of the Tendai sect. Ennin is also known for the autobiographical record of his travels and studies of Buddhism, considered by some to be one of the greatest travelogues in the world.
In the dedication commitment for the Chusonji Temple it is written that all travelers, regardless of their status, will be lovingly welcomed by the Buddhas and would receive their blessings without exception.
In 1337 a fire destroyed many of the temple's halls, pagodas, and treasures. Nevertheless, more than 3,000 national treasures and important cultural assets survived, including above all the Konjikido, the small, golden Amida hall, which was the first building to be declared a Japanese national treasure.
Overview
Address
Koromonoseki-202 Hiraizumi, Nishiiwai District, Iwate 029-4102 (Map) (Directions)Hours
8:30 - 17:00 Closed nowOpening Hours
Monday
8:30 - 17:00
Tuesday
8:30 - 17:00
Wednesday
8:30 - 17:00
Thursday
8:30 - 17:00
Friday
8:30 - 17:00
Saturday
8:30 - 17:00
Sunday
8:30 - 17:00
Holidays
8:30 - 17:00
Phone Number
0191-46-2211Website
General Amenities
- Paid parking
- Restroom
What's unique
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Accessibility
- Barrier-free access
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