Day One Japan

Iwate (岩手県)

Spend a half day in Hiraizumi (平泉), walking from Chusonji’s cedar-lined slope and Golden Hall to a river overlook and a historic pond garden.

Open the full walk in Google Maps
The hall sheltering the Golden Hall at Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi
Chusonji Temple · Daderot · CC0 · Resized and framed for this page

Getting to Chusonji Temple

From Ichinoseki Station (一ノ関駅)

Take the JR Tohoku Main Line (東北本線) north from Ichinoseki to Hiraizumi Station (平泉駅). From the station, walk to the foot of Tsukimizaka (月見坂), then follow the uphill temple approach.

Hiraizumi Station (平泉駅)

For the train, look for JR Tohoku Main Line (東北本線) and confirm Hiraizumi (平泉駅) is listed as a stop. Official transport information

JR Hiraizumi Station building and its entrance
Mister0124 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized
Public transport in Google Maps Hiraizumi Tourism Association access guide

Three stops in order

  1. 1. Chusonji Temple (中尊寺)

    Walk up Tsukimizaka to the Golden Hall (金色堂). The hall is inside a modern protective building, so look for the entrance to the ticketed area.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Chusonji’s official guide

  2. 2. Takadachi Gikeido (高館義経堂)

    Come back down the temple approach and head east to this hillside hall for a view over the Kitakami River (北上川). There are steps up to the hall.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Takadachi Gikeido visitor information

  3. 3. Motsuji Temple (毛越寺)

    Finish with the pond and garden paths, then walk back to Hiraizumi Station.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Motsuji grounds and garden

The walk between sites is longer than the temple grounds alone. The local tourism office’s access guide has distances and transport alternatives.

Transport and visitor information checked .