'''Hiraizumi''' (____, [http://www.town.hiraizumi.iwate.jp/]) is a small town in Iwate, in the northeastern Tohoku region of Japan.

Understand

: ______ ________ ______ : ''natsugusa ya tsuwamono-domo ga yume no ato'' : Summer grass — all that remains of warrior dreams :::::::::: <small>-- Matsuo Bash?</small>

During the reign of the Fujiwaras (866-1184), Hiraizumi was said to rival Kyoto in grandeur and sophistication, but now all that remains are the temples of Chusonji and Motsuji, both of which are mostly in ruins at that. Famed haiku poet Matsuo Basho penned the famous ''haiku'' quoted above, with the end result that now Basho is quite possibly more idolized in Hiraizumi than anywhere else, and you can't throw a rock in Hiraizumi without hitting a Basho statue, a Basho monument, an inscribed copy of a Basho haiku or at the very least a coffee shop waving its "As mentioned in ''Narrow Road to the Deep North''!" banners.

Get in

By train

Hiraizumi is on the JR Tohoku Main Line, connecting to Morioka in the north and Sendai to the south.

The nearest Shinkansen stop, Ichinoseki, is only 10 minutes away (¥170). Trains from Tokyo reach Ichinoseki in about 2 1/2 hours (¥12470 for the one-way trip to Hiraizumi; no charge with the Japan Rail Pass).

Get around

Local buses connect JR Hiraizumi station to points of interest, although you can also reach them on foot. Bicycle hire is available just to the right of the station, it is ¥1000 for the whole day (lesser periods are available) it allows you to get around quickly and enjoyably.

See

  • '''Ch?son-ji Temple'''_@(______). Hiraizumi's largest and most famous temple, renowned particularly for its '''Golden Hall''' (___F__ ''Konjikid?'') — which, unlike Kyoto's Golden Pavilion, is housed inside a large glass case. True to the name, the shrine inside is elaborately decorated with golden lacquer and mother-of-pearl, with three Buddha images. Entry a rather steep ¥800. 5 minutes by bus or 20 on foot from the station.
  • '''M?tsu-ji Temple''' (___z__), [http://www.motsuji.or.jp/]. The second of Hiraizumi's two large temples, known for its Heian-era '''Pure Land Garden''' (___y__ ''J?do-en'') dating to 800 AD. The garden seems downright un-Japanese in its liberal use of wide, grassy spaces — but most of the open spaces have scattered rocks and are marked with small posts in the middle, indicating the locations of destroyed temple buildings. Entry into the garden and the small museum ¥500. 10 minutes on foot from the station
  • '''Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon-do:''' A nice cave temple about 30 minutes bike ride out of town. It is the 5th incarnation of the temple since it was established in 801. It is dedicated to Bishamon the god of war, but was called Iwaya Bishamondo: a place to pray for peace. Also at this site is the Ganmen Daibutsu a giant stone carving of Budda, but only the head remains after an earthquake destroyed the body. The ride to the temple is enjoyable in itself with nice Japanese countryside all the way. Entry into the temple and grounds is ¥300.
  • Buy, Eat & Drink

    There are a number of small teahouses and souvenir stands in the grounds of Ch?sonji.

    Sleep

    Budget

    Motsuji's well-known temple-run youth hostel was, regrettably, permanently closed in 2007.

    Get out