Visit date(s):           October 5 & 6, 2024

Nearby sites on trip: Hiraizumi (extension)

Overnight location: Onsen near Ichinoseki 

Location(s):  

• Môtsû-ji
• Kanjizaiô-in Ato (photo)
• Chûson-ji
• Mount Kinkeisan
• Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center, on Mount Kinkeisan (There is one other site listed, but the staff at the cultural centre suggested that it wasn’t worth the trip because there wasn’t really access for visitors.  Some artefacts were in the centre.  There were photos of some others that are in the Tokyo national museum.)

Travel method(s):  car and foot

Travel duration:  Less than 15 minutes

Visit duration: 1 day total

OUV: This is difficult to fully evaluate without belonging to or studying the culture of Japanese Buddhism and Shintoism.  The reconstructed gardens were certainly lovely, tranquil and meditative places.  The preservation of the 12th century Konjikidô is amazing where so many wooden structures have been lost to fire.

Best of: The heavily gilded temple Konjikidô of Chûson-ji was absolutely stunning. Inside the concrete sheath, every detail has been preserved.  A recording gives information about the features alternating in English  and Japanese, so we could study it, then pay attention briefly before viewing some more. The gardens, though less showy, were very relaxing.

Worst of: We have no pictures of Konjikidô.  Photos are not permitted.   Shuffling past it was the only crowded part of the visit.