Mount Kinkazan

Overview

Mount Kinkazan is a sacred mountain that served as the cornerstone for Hiraizumi's urban planning, located almost midway between Chūson-ji Temple and Mōtsū-ji Temple. Successive heads of the Ōshū Fujiwara clan built kyatsuka (stupa containing Buddhist scriptures) on the summit, a history dating back to the Heian period. The legend that the third-generation head, Hidehira, had it constructed in a single night on the western side of Mutsu-kōin, built in imitation of Byōdō-in Temple in Uji, speaks volumes about Mount Kinkazan's history and mystique. From the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hiraizumi town. Chūson-ji and Mōtsū-ji Temples are visible, along with the Kitakami River in the distance. While taking in the magnificent scenery, you can imagine the Ōshū Fujiwara clan's once-great prosperity and reflect upon its history. At the foot of Mount Kinkazan, there are numerous attractions, including the Senjū-dō Hall (housing memorial tablets of three generations of the Fujiwara clan and a wooden statue of Hidehira), a five-storied pagoda said to be the grave of Minamoto no Yoshitsune's wife and child, the Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center, and the ruins of Hanaichi Temple. Senjū-dō Hall, a hall built to pray for the prosperity of the Fujiwara clan, exudes a historical atmosphere. The five-storied pagoda is said to be the grave of Minamoto no Yoshitsune's wife and child, representing a tragic piece of history. The Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center offers exhibitions on the history and culture of Hiraizumi. The ruins of Hanaichi Temple allows visitors to imagine the bustling atmosphere of Hiraizumi in its heyday. Mount Kinkazan is a captivating tourist destination blending history, nature, and legend. When visiting Hiraizumi, be sure to visit Mount Kinkazan.