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Motsuji Temple

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4.2 (3969)

Ōsawa-58 Hiraizumi, Nishiiwai District, Iwate 029-4102, Japan

Tranquil Buddhist temple set in a vast garden by a rock-studded lake, framed by low hills.

hourglassDuration: 00h50min

phone+81 191-46-2331
outdoor
outdoor
paid
paid
daytime
daytime
traditional
traditional
temple
temples

clockOpening hours

Mondays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Fridays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sundays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

googlereview(s)

4.2
3969 review(s)
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Ross Daniels a month ago

This was really beautiful because we had just visited Chuson-Ji temple and it was only a short walk over to this Motsuji temple. Again remarkable simplicity and beautiful especially with the snow all around. It is a Buddhist temple and is known for its beautiful Phoenix Hall which did not disappoint. The Phoenix Hall is a wooden structure built in the Amida style, which is characterized by its simple and elegant design. The hall is decorated with intricate carvings and paintings, and its interior is home to a large statue of Amida Buddha.The temple was founded in 998 by Fujiwara no Michinaga, a powerful courtier and politician during the Heian period (794-1185).

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Chung Karen 6 months ago

Beautiful scenery and not crowded. Can enjoy the calm environment and relax.

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SATOSHI MATSUMOTO (Sato) a year ago

Visited on the 28th of December 2022. It's better to visit there in spring or autumn. The garden during winter time, the garden view was not so gorgeous as "Jōdo" , paradise.

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Nippon Bōken 2 years ago

To be honest, the pond and the park were good when compared to the temple, then I find that entry fee was quite costlier but for the sake of beautiful view and high maintenance will cost more may be, not so far from the hiraizumi station

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Shingo S. Ishida 4 years ago

A very beautiful and scenic Buddhist temple that is designated as an UNESCO cultural/heritage site. There is a also a very large garden with a footpath that accompanies the temple and its buildings, which are placed around a scenic lake. The walk around the lake offers very different views depending on where you are on the path. You can see sites of where temples used to stand (some were burnt down in wars, etc.) as well as the ones that still remain to this day. During the walk around the lake on the footpath, there is a large bell in a belfry, a gentle stream that empties into the lake, as well as a set of strategically-placed rocks and stones made to resemble a landscape. Most definitely worth the entrance fee. Very highly recommended!