20 Temples in Iwate worth your time

A historic Zen temple in Morioka featuring a renowned collection of five hundred unique Arhat statues and significant local history.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1394 by Nanbu Moriyuki.
• One of the five major temples known as the Morioka Gozan.
• The primary deity enshrined at this location is Shaka Nyorai.
• The temple moved from Sannohe to its current site in 1601.

What to see

• The Rakan-do hall containing five hundred unique Arhat statues.
• A main hall where Narayama Sado committed ritual suicide in 1869.
• The traditional mountain gate marking the entrance to the grounds.
• City-designated cultural properties including the Rakan-do and its statues.

When to go

• Weekly Zen meditation sessions are held every Saturday.

Getting there

• The temple is a five-minute walk from the Kitayama bus stop.

Read more about Hōon-ji Temple

Chūson-ji Konjikidō is a golden Buddhist hall housing mummified remains of the Fujiwara lords.

What it is

• A Buddhist hall in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture.
• Built in 1124 by Fujiwara Kiyohira.
• Representative of Heian period Pure Land Buddhist architecture.
• Designated as a National Treasure.

What to see

• Small hall, 5.5 meters on each side.
• Entirely covered in gold leaf, inside and out.
• Four pillars decorated with maki-e and mother-of-pearl.
• Central altar with mummified remains of Fujiwara Kiyohira.
• Right altar with mummified remains of Fujiwara Motohira and Yasuhira's head.
• Left altar with mummified remains of Fujiwara Hidehira.

Address

岩手県西磐井郡平泉町平泉 Map

Official site

www.chusonji.or.jp

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Kōshō-ji Temple is a historic Shingon temple with important wooden Buddhist statues.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Kihōzan.
• Began as an Amidado built by the Fujiwara clan.
• The principal image is Amitābha Nyorai.

What to see

• A 52.0cm wooden Amitābha Nyorai seated statue.
• This statue is a designated cultural property.
• Wooden Kannon and Seishi Bosatsu seated statues.
• These statues are also designated cultural properties.

Getting there

• 2-minute walk from Setamai Bus Stop.
• 25-minute drive from Sanriku Expressway Ōfunato Interchange.

Address

岩手県気仙郡住田町 鉢ケ森26 Map

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Kokuseki-ji Temple, founded in 729, houses important Buddhist statues and hosts a unique festival.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple.
• Founded in 729 by Gyoki.
• Rebuilt in 807 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro.
• Restored in 849 by Ennin (Jikaku Daishi).

What to see

• Wooden seated Yakushi Nyorai statue, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Wooden seated monk statue, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Wooden Four Heavenly Kings statues, National Important Cultural Properties.
• Wooden Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu statues, Iwate Prefecture Cultural Properties.

When to go

• Known for the Somin-sai festival.

Address

岩手県奥州市水沢黒石町字山内17 Map

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Chōkoku-ji is a historic temple housing important Kannon statues, easily accessible by train.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded in the early Heian period by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Relocated to its current site in 1625.
• Main image is an Eleven-faced Kannon.

What to see

• Current main hall, built in 1705.
• Kannon-do, rebuilt in 1716.
• Three wooden Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statues.
• One wooden Nyorai seated statue.
• Statues are prefectural tangible cultural properties.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Sanriku Railway Sakari Station.

Address

岩手県大船渡市猪川町字長谷堂127 Map

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Fumon-ji Temple is a Soto Zen temple with a historic pagoda and unique cultural treasures.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Kaiganzan.
• Dedicated to Shokannon Bosatsu.
• The 29th site of the Oshu Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• The current main hall, built in 1877.
• A three-storied pagoda, 12.5m tall, built in 1809.
• A designated wooden seated statue of Shokannon.
• A silk painting of Aizen Myoo from the Muromachi period.
• A designated natural monument crape myrtle tree, over 300 years old.
• A Guinness World Record display of tsurushi kazari.

Address

岩手県陸前高田市 米崎町字地竹沢181 Map

Official site

fumonji-iwate.jp

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Jōken-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple known for its unique kappa statues and tranquil setting.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded in 1490 by Tamon Shūshu.
• Known for its Kappa Komainu.
• Located in Tōno City, Iwate Prefecture.

What to see

• An eight-legged temple gate.
• Nio statues enshrined in the gate.
• Main hall with an Obinzuru-sama wooden statue.
• Jūōdō has a pair of Kappa Komainu.
• Adjacent to Kappa-buchi.

When to go

• Open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Denshōen-mae bus stop.

Address

岩手県遠野市土淵町土淵7-50 Map

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Manzo-ji is a Soto Zen temple known for its many historic statues and hydrangeas.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Kinpozan.
• Known as Hydrangea Temple.

What to see

• Many statues are tangible cultural properties.
• Main image is a wooden seated Yakushi Nyorai statue.
• A wooden Shinto deity statue.
• Two wooden standing Eleven-faced Kannon statues.
• Two wooden standing male deity statues.
• A wooden standing female deity statue.

Getting there

• 10-minute drive from Esashi Tase IC on E46 Kamaishi Expressway.

Address

岩手県北上市口内町金峯山44 Map

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Explore Heian-period temple ruins built by the Abe clan, offering a glimpse into ancient Japanese Buddhist rituals.

What it is

• Heian-period temple ruins, founded by the Abe clan.
• Dedicated to Buddhist rituals, not for monk training.
• Presumed to have burned down during the Former Nine Years' War.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2005.

What to see

• Excavated 100m earthen wall and main hall foundations.
• Remains of the west building and south gate.
• Foundation stones quarried from Mt. Tabashine.

Getting there

• Located 1 kilometer north of Chūson-ji Temple.

Read more about Chōjagahara temple ruins

Sekiō-ji Temple is a historic Sōtō Zen temple known for its large Kannon statue.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded in 1665 by Chōan Rinzon.
• Principal image is Shaka Nyorai.
• Known for building the Kamaishi Daikannon.

What to see

• The Kamaishi Daikannon.
• A stupa built in 1965.
• Shaka Nyorai, Monju Bosatsu, and Fugen Bosatsu statues.
• Two tangible cultural properties designated in 1970.
• The Tokuji Stele, created in 1308.
• A bronze statue of Shō Kannon from 1725.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Kamaishi Station.

Address

岩手県釜石市大只越町1-1-1 Map

Official site

kamaishi-daikannon.com

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Historic hill site where Minamoto no Yoshitsune died, offering scenic views and a statue.

What it is

• Known as the place of Minamoto no Yoshitsune's death.
• Originally the residence of Fujiwara no Motonari.
• Yoshitsune committed suicide here in 1189.
• Designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 2014.

What to see

• Yoshitsune-do, rebuilt in 1808.
• Wooden statue of Yoshitsune, built in 1683.
• Armored statue of Yoshitsune enshrined inside.
• Memorial tower for Yoshitsune and his retainers.
• Located on a hill on the left bank of the Kitakami River.

Official site

www.motsuji.or.jp

Read more about Takadachi Gikeidō

Gokuraku-ji Temple, a historic Shingon-shu temple, preserves ancient statues and artifacts.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha temple.
• Founded in the 9th century.
• Flourished in the Heian period.
• Sakanoue Tamuramaro enshrined Bishamonten here.

What to see

• Temple ruins are a National Historic Site.
• Tachibana Bishamondo houses wooden Bishamonten statues.
• Wooden Niten statues are also in Tachibana Bishamondo.
• These statues are Important Cultural Properties.
• Four bronze dragon heads are preserved.
• One bronze shakujo head is preserved.

Address

岩手県北上市稲瀬町内門岡30 Map

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Mōtsū-ji Temple offers a rare look at Heian period culture through its intact foundation stones and original pond.

What it is

• Temple founded in 850 by Buddhist priest Ennin.
• Embodies Heian period culture (794-1185).
• Part of a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011.
• Designated a Special Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty.

What to see

• Foundation stones of original temple buildings.
• Original pond, very rare for its age.
• Pure Land-style garden representing Buddhist paradise.
• Earthen mounds from past structures.
• New main hall (hondō) completed in 1989.

Address

岩手県西磐井郡平泉町平泉字大沢58 Map

Official site

www.motsuji.or.jp

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Visit this ancient temple to see a rare Kannon statue and one of Japan's oldest mathematical tablets.

What it is

• A temple in Tono City, formally named Fukutakiji.
• It is the 4th temple of Tono Shichikannon.
• Founded in 852, it is dedicated to Kannon.

What to see

• The main image is an Eleven-faced Kannon statue.
• The Kannon-do hall was rebuilt in 1670.
• The Kannon-do hall is a designated cultural property.
• A Sangaku (mathematical tablet) from 1743.
• The Sangaku is the second oldest in Iwate Prefecture.
• The Sangaku is the eighth oldest in Japan.

Address

岩手県遠野市宮守町上鱒沢18地割 Map

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Yamaya Kannon is a historic temple, part of a pilgrimage, with a notable Kannon-do hall.

What it is

• A temple in Tono City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Founded in 854.
• First of the Tono Seven Kannon pilgrimage sites.
• Official name is Chofukuji.

What to see

• Kannon-do hall, rebuilt in 1699.
• Wooden Kannon-do hall measures 7.43 meters on each side.
• Eleven-faced Kannon statue enshrined in 1742.
• Kannon-do hall is a tangible cultural property.

Getting there

• 7 minutes by car from Miyamori IC.
• Parking is available.

Address

岩手県遠野市小友町37地割1番地 Map

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Tōsen-in Temple is a historic Zen Buddhist temple with important Kannon statues.

What it is

• Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1729.
• Relocated to current site in 1897.
• Its mountain name is Kin'ya Inariyama.

What to see

• Wooden seated Kannon Bosatsu statue, 114.3cm tall.
• This statue is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Iron Eleven-faced Kannon standing statue, 47cm tall.
• This statue was designated a cultural property in 1983.

Getting there

• 15 minutes by bus from Surisawa Station.

Address

岩手県 一関市大東町渋民小林35 Map

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Shōun-ji Temple is a historic Rinzai Zen temple with unique cultural properties, worth visiting for its heritage.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect Myōshin-ji school temple.
• Founded by Tamura Muneyoshi.
• Moved to Ichinoseki in 1682 by Tamura Kenken.
• Mountain name is Daijisan.

What to see

• Tamura family graveyard.
• Hase Kannon-dō survived a fire.
• Tenrin Issaikyōzō is a city cultural property.
• Hoseiin Byōzushi is a prefectural cultural property.
• Main hall rebuilt in 1921.

Getting there

• 17-minute walk from Ichinoseki Station.

Address

岩手県一関市台町48-2 Map

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Komyoji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple, founded in 1396.
• Known as Daizosan Komyoji.
• Served as the family temple for the Esashi and Iwaki clans.
• Designated the leading temple of Esashi around 1800.

What to see

• A seated statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is the main image.
• Temple grounds include a main hall, bell tower, and pagoda.
• A wooden seated Jizo Bosatsu statue dates from 1402.
• The Jizo statue is a prefectural tangible cultural property.

Address

岩手県奥州市江刺南町8-17 Map

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Tokuraku-ji is a Soto Zen temple founded in 1558, known for its historic sculptures and carvings.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple.
• Founded in 1558.
• A branch temple of Hokoji Temple.

What to see

• Two wooden sculptures are cultural properties.
• Main hall has 370 carvings by a Tsugaru sculptor.
• Yakushido houses designated cultural property sculptures.
• Wooden seated Yakushi Nyorai statue is 124.8cm tall.
• Wooden standing Bodhisattva statue is 124.5cm tall.

When to go

• Sculptures are displayed on May 8th.

Address

岩手県九戸郡軽米町軽米4-1 Map

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Shoganji is a historic Buddhist temple housing a significant 14th-century Amitabha Nyorai statue.

What it is

• A Jodo-shu Buddhist temple.
• Its sango is Rurisan.
• The 32nd Fudasho of Esashi Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• A standing Amitabha Nyorai statue is the principal image.
• Bronze Amitabha Nyorai statue is 37.5cm tall.
• The statue was made in 1328.
• The statue was designated a tangible cultural property in 1958.

Getting there

• A 3-minute walk from Esashi Bus Center.
• Parking is available.

Address

岩手県奥州市江刺区川原町8番6号 Map

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