 Last additions - Hiraizumi 平泉町 |
My video of the antlered deer dancers at Chusonji.Feb 15, 2013
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Rocks representing peninsular sea cliffs. One symbol of the garden.May 18, 2012
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Suhama Beach is a peninsular beach at Motsuji temple, Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. World Heritage Site.May 18, 2012
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About Suhama BeachMay 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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About the new temple bell.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Temple bell rebuilt in 1975.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Jogyodo Hall worships Amida Buddha.May 18, 2012
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About Jogyodo Hall.May 18, 2012
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Jogyodo Hall, Motsuji temple, Hiraizumi.May 18, 2012
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Jogyodo Hall, this building was built in 1732.May 18, 2012
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JogyodoMay 18, 2012
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About the Jizo Bosatsu statue.May 18, 2012
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Jizo Bosatsu statue.May 18, 2012
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Site of the temple bell or befry.May 18, 2012
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Motsuji's Hondo hall on the right as seen from across the pond.May 18, 2012
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About the Yarimizu stream feeding water to the pond.May 18, 2012
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Yarimizu stream feeding water to the pond.May 18, 2012
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Yarimizu stream feeding water to the pond.May 18, 2012
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Yarimizu stream feeding water to the pond.May 18, 2012
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Site of Enryuji temple's Kondo hall at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. It's depressing to keep seeing these empty plots which used to have magnificent temple structures. 圓隆寺May 18, 2012
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Site of Enryuji temple's Kondo hall at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. 圓隆寺May 18, 2012
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Site of Kashoji temple at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. 嘉祥寺May 18, 2012
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Site of Kashoji temple at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. 嘉祥寺May 18, 2012
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Site of Kashoji temple at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. 嘉祥寺May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Inside Kaisando, the Founder's Hall dedicated to Priest Ennin.May 18, 2012
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Oizumi ga Ike pond at Motsuji temple, in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. World Heritage Site.May 18, 2012
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About Kaisando, the Founder's Hall dedicated to Priest Ennin.May 18, 2012
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Kaisando is the Founder's Hall dedicated to Priest Ennin. 開山堂May 18, 2012
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Irises donated by Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo.May 18, 2012
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Oizumi ga Ike pond at Motsuji temple, in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. World Heritage Site.May 18, 2012
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About mountain-like formations.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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The garden has been restored to its original condition.May 18, 2012
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After you see the Hondo main hall, you basically walk around the garden's Oizumi ga Ike pond while seeing former temple sites and smaller buildings.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Inside Motsuji's Hondo main hall. It worships Yakushi, flanked by two Boddhisatvas, Nikko ("Daylight") and Gakko ("Moonlight").May 18, 2012
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About Motsuji's Hondo main hall. Nice to see English explanations.May 18, 2012
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Motsu-ji's Hondo main hall.May 18, 2012
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Incense burnerMay 18, 2012
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Motsuji's Hondo main hall was built in 1989.May 18, 2012
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Motsuji's Hondo main hall was built in 1989.May 18, 2012
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Weeping cherries and Motsuji's Hondo hall in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture.May 18, 2012
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What Motsu-ji temple looked like before.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Haiku poet Basho monumentMay 18, 2012
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About the haiku poem by Basho.May 18, 2012
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English translation of a Haiku poem by Basho, in reference to the temple buildings that were long gone when he visited.May 18, 2012
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Since most of the temple structures burnt down, the main attraction today is the 800-year-old Pure Land Garden featuring a large pond called Oizumi ga Ike.May 18, 2012
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Motsuji temple is part of the "Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi" World Heritage Site. It belongs to the Tendai Buddhist sect. This is the gate to enter Motsuji temple. May 18, 2012
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Motsuji was founded in 850 by Ennin, the third abbot of Tendai based at Enryakuji temple atop Mt. Hiei in Shiga Prefecture. This is their museum called Cultural Assets Repository.May 18, 2012
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Rental bicycles near Chusonji.May 18, 2012
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Great dance. Enjoyed it very much. Be sure to see my video.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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The dance is called Gyozan-ryu Tsunogake Shishi Odori or Gyozan School Antlered Deer Dance. They sing in Buddhist tones. They perform here annually on May 2.May 18, 2012
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Taiko drum dance by eight men dressed as fierce-looking deer-lion with tall antlers and a mane.May 18, 2012
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While walking back and passing by the Hondo main hall, I found this group dancing in front of the Hondo hall.May 18, 2012
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Path to Hakusan Shrine.May 18, 2012
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Chusonji votive tablets.May 18, 2012
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About the old housing for the Konjikido Golden Hall, called Konjikido Oido. 旧覆堂May 18, 2012
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Inside the former housing for the Konjikido Golden Hall, called Konjikido Oido. The Konjikido was housed here until 1963 when the present housing was built. 旧覆堂May 18, 2012
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Former housing for the Konjikido Golden Hall, called Konjikido Oido. This building sheltered the Konjikido from 旧覆堂May 18, 2012
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Statue of Haiku poet Basho at Chusonji temple.May 18, 2012
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Haiku poet Basho Monument for his Oku-no-Hosomichi series.May 18, 2012
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RootsMay 18, 2012
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About the Kyozo Sutra Repository.May 18, 2012
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Kyozo Sutra Repository. 経蔵May 18, 2012
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Kyozo Sutra Repository. Important Cultural Property. 経蔵May 18, 2012
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Near the Konjikido is the Kyozo Sutra Repository. 経蔵May 18, 2012
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Monument for haiku poet Basho.May 18, 2012
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I went during Golden Week so there was a good number of people, but it wasn't horrendously crowded.May 18, 2012
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The Konjikido is inside this building sheltering it. They let you into the building one group at a time. There's a short recorded talk about the Konjikido, then you are ushered out of the building to make room for the next group.May 18, 2012
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The Golden Hall is indeed gold and beautiful. It's not that big and looks brand new, thanks to restoration work. The gold leaf gleams and shell inlays in the columns are intricate.May 18, 2012
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Ticket gate to enter Konjikido Golden Hall.May 18, 2012
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Photography of the Konjikido is not allowed, but you can see photos of it at Chusonji's Web site here.. Konjikido is fenced off.May 18, 2012
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Consequently, the Golden Hall at Chūson-ji was built by the Fujiwara Family to recreate the western paradise of Amida on earth.May 18, 2012
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According to an ancient Buddhist prophecy, the world would enter a period of decline called Mappō in 1051. The Tendai sect believed that enlightenment was possible during Mappo only through the veneration of Amida Buddha. May 18, 2012
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Path to Konjikido Hall, the main attraction of Chusonji temple. 金色堂May 18, 2012
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This is the Konjikido Hall building you always see in tourist literature. Doesn't look so impressive as a National Treasure. What you see is only the protective housing for the actual Konjikido Golden Hall sheltered inside.May 18, 2012
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Konjikido Golden Hall admission is 800 yen for adults, 500 yen for high schoolers, 300 yen for junior high schoolers, and 200 yen for elementary school kids.May 18, 2012
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The admission fee includes admission to Konjikido Hall, Sankozo Museum, Sutra Repository, and the Former Konjikidō Shelter Hall.May 18, 2012
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To see the Konjikido Hall, pay admission here at the Sankozo Museum. Admission includes entry to the Golden Hall as well as to Sankozo Museum filled with Chūson-ji's various treasures and cultural objects.May 18, 2012
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Up to this point, visiting Chusonji is free. But when you want to see the Konjikido Golden Hall (National Treasure), that's when you have to pay admission.May 18, 2012
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Chusonji's fire dept.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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About the Benzaiten-do Hall.May 18, 2012
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Benzaiten-do Hall 辨財天堂May 18, 2012
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Benzaiten-do Hall worships the 15 male attendants (jugo-doji) who serve the Ugajin deity associated with the goddess Benzaiten. 辨財天堂 辨財天十五童子May 18, 2012
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Benzaiten-do Hall 辨財天堂 辨財天十五童子May 18, 2012
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About the Bonsho temple bell at Chusonji temple. 梵鐘May 18, 2012
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Bonsho temple bell at Chusonji temple. Nice building for the bell. 梵鐘May 18, 2012
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Mine-yakushido Hall worships Yakushi Nyorai. 峯薬師堂May 18, 2012
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Mine-yakushido Hall. Chusonji has a number of smaller halls of worship. 峯薬師堂May 18, 2012
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Fudo-do Hall, a prayer training hall. Worships Fudo-myoo. 不動堂May 18, 2012
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On to Konjikido, 240 meters away.May 18, 2012
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Chusonji's temple bell.May 18, 2012
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Cherry tree near Chusonji's Hondo main hall.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Altar inside Chusonji's Hondo main hall.May 18, 2012
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The paper lantern at the entrance of Chusonji's main hall says that it is Tendai Sect's Tohoku Headquarters Temple (Tohoku Dai-honzan).May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Chusonji's Hondo main hall, Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture.May 18, 2012
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Water fountainMay 18, 2012
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Placing incense into the incense burner in front of Chusonji's Hondo main hall.May 18, 2012
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Chusonji's Hondo main hall in Hiraizumi. It was last rebuilt in 1909. Its main object of worship is Amida Nyorai (the Buddha of Infinite Light), flanked by Chūsonji's eternal flames which came from Enryakuji in Shiga Prefecture. May 18, 2012
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Incense burner in front of Chusonji's Hondo main hall.May 18, 2012
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Gate to Chusonji's Hondo main hall.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Cherry blossoms at a scenic lookout deck.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Another scenic lookout point.May 18, 2012
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Poem monument for Saigyo (1118-1190), a famous Japanese poet who traveled in the Tohoku area a lot.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Continuing on the path to Chusonji's Hondo main hall. The main path to Chūson-ji is called Tsukimizaka (Moon Viewing Slope). It is lined with cryptomeria trees planted three or four centuries ago by the Date clan of Sendai.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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From the lookout point are a few cherry blossoms.May 18, 2012
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About Benkei Hall.May 18, 2012
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Eastern Lookout deck along the way to Chusonji.May 18, 2012
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Statues inside Benkei-do Hall at Chusonji temple, Hiraizumi.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Statue of Benkei in the corner.May 18, 2012
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Inside Benkei Hall.May 18, 2012
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Benkei Hall.May 18, 2012
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Benkei Hall at Chusonji temple, Hiraizumi.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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The 3/11 earthquake fell this torii at Benkei Hall.May 18, 2012
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Along the way was this Benkei Hall and a fallen torii.May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
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Chusonji was first built in the early twelfth century by the first Ōshū Fujiwara lord, Kiyohira. It became a huge temple complex, but most structures were destroyed by fire in 1337. The famous Golden Hall remains.May 18, 2012
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A slight sloping path going to Chusonji temple. It's a nice wooded path.May 18, 2012
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Jizo statue and Chusonji stone sign.May 18, 2012
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Chusonji is the Tohoku headquarters temple for the Tendai Buddhist sect. About 800 meters to Konjikido Hall.May 18, 2012
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I parked my rental bicycle near this entrance to Chusonji temple grounds.May 18, 2012
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Entrance to the grounds of Chusonji temple. Chusonji belongs to the Tendai Buddhist sect and was founded in 850 by Ennin, a high-ranking priest of Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei in Shiga Prefecture.May 18, 2012
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They were so good that I delayed my departure from the train station to watch this.May 18, 2012
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When I arrived on May 2, 2012, this dance troupe danced in front of Hiraizumi Station. The train station has a nice tourist information office where you can pick up maps and pamphlets and directions to bicycle rentals.May 18, 2012
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Once you arrive at Hiraizumi, the best way to get around is by bicycle. There are a few bicycle rental places near the station. Mail box at Hiraizumi Station.May 18, 2012
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The temples of Hiraizumi are near JR Hiraizumi Station on the Tohoku Line. Hiraizumi is a short train ride from Ichinoseki Station, a shinkansen station.May 18, 2012
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Hiraizumi in Iwate Prefecture was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2011, announced soon after the March 11, 2011 Tohoku disaster.May 18, 2012
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Hiraizumi's two main attractions are Chusonji temple (famous for Konjikido Hall covered with gold leaf) and Motsuji temple's garden.May 18, 2012
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