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Motsuji
Hiraizumi in Iwate was registered as a World Heritage site in 2011. Motsuji in Hiraizumi is a historic temple founded in 850. On its premises, there are many valuable historic remains that have been selected as special historic sites of the country and its garden is selected as a special scenic beauty. In 2011, it was registered a World Heritage site as part of Hiraizumi. Since its construction, Motsuji suffered several fire damages from recurring fires; however, it was re-built repeatedly until the main hall was completed in 1989.
- Address
- 58 Osawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate
- Contact No.
- +81-191-46-2331
- Access
- 8-min walk from JR Hiraizumi Station
- Opening Hours / Holidays
- 8:30-17:00 (Nov 5-Apr 4: 8:30-16:30)
Open all year round - Official Website
- http://www.motsuji.or.jp/
- Time Required
- 60 minutes
- Admission fee
- Adults 500 yen, high school students 300 yen, elementary and middle school students 100 yen
※ Some information is displayed in Japanese and machine-translated English, which may not be accurate.
For the latest information, please check the official website for each spot.

Jodo Garden
Jodo Garden of Motsuji is believed to have been made around the 10th century and is a historic Japanese garden that reproduces the image of a Buddhist paradise. In the center of the garden, the pond "Oizumigaike" reflects the beauty of the seasons, and the rock islands in this pond are said to be the most beautiful view in this garden.

Main Hall
While the main hall, located straight ahead from the entrance, is a new building contructed in 1989, it enshrines a valuable deity from the 10th century, the Yakushi Nyoroi (medicine master Buddha). The main hall is usually not open to public except for the 8th of every month.

Yarimizu
The water canal, Yarimizu, on the north west side of Oizumigaike in the center of the Jodo Garden, was built around the 10th century to bring water into the pond. It is unique in Japan as a remains of this period. Every 4th Sunday in May, an event called "Gokusui no En" is performed using Yarimizu as a stage and reenacting the scenes of back in the day.

Iris Garden
In the 3,000-square-meter wide "Iris garden" surrounding Oizumigaike, 30,000 irises of 300 varieties bloom every year. The contrast between the profound green of Jodo Garden and the vivid colors of the blossoms is a must see! An Iris Festival is held every year from mid-June until early July, when numerous events take place in the surroundings of the beautiful flowers.

Treasure Museum
Inside the "Treasure Museum" right at the entrance of the premises, there are not only exhibits of Buddhist statues and writings belonging to Motsuji but also valuable resources that are registered important cultural heritages such as excavated historic items, but there are also video images of Hiraizumi from back in the 10th century created with computer graphics.
