Motsuji Temple

Motsuji Temple (毛越寺, Mōtsūji) in Hiraizumi is most famous for its beautiful Pure Land garden, one of the few left in Japan. The garden, inspired by Buddhist paradise, features a large central pond with a peaceful walking path around it. The view changes gently as you walk the 500-meter loop, offering calm and beauty in every season. During the Heian Period, this style was seen as a reflection of spiritual ideals.

The temple was once a major site of the Tendai sect and held many large buildings. Although most are gone, the foundations remain and are marked with signs, helping visitors picture its former glory. These ruins inspired poet Basho to write a famous haiku about the passing of greatness. Today, you can also see Motsuji’s Hondo (main hall), the Cultural Assets Repository with historical treasures, and the Kaizando, honoring important Buddhist leaders and the Fujiwara lords.