Motsuji Temple

Iwate (岩手県)
Place of Worship
Motsuji Temple - Photo 1

Ōsawa-58 Hiraizumi, Nishiiwai District, Iwate 029-4102, Japan

0191-46-2331

4.2 (4.2k reviews)

Opening Hours

Monday8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

About

Tranquil Buddhist temple set in a vast garden by a rock-studded lake, framed by low hills.

Reviews

Ross Daniels

Ross Daniels

8 months ago

This was really beautiful because we had just visited Chuson-Ji temple and it was only a short walk over to this Motsuji temple. Again remarkable simplicity and beautiful especially with the snow all around. It is a Buddhist temple and is known for its beautiful Phoenix Hall which did not disappoint. The Phoenix Hall is a wooden structure built in the Amida style, which is characterized by its simple and elegant design. The hall is decorated with intricate carvings and paintings, and its interior is home to a large statue of Amida Buddha.The temple was founded in 998 by Fujiwara no Michinaga, a powerful courtier and politician during the Heian period (794-1185).
Calvin Lin

Calvin Lin

in the last week

The scenery is very beautiful. Let you feel calm and peaceful.
Bing Chang

Bing Chang

3 months ago

Pales in comparison with other temples IMHO, except for its land size and a lake inside the compound. That’s the reason I only have one photo to share !
SATOSHI MATSUMOTO (Sato)

SATOSHI MATSUMOTO (Sato)

a year ago

Visited on the 28th of December 2022. It's better to visit there in spring or autumn. The garden during winter time, the garden view was not so gorgeous as "Jōdo" , paradise.
Shingo S. Ishida

Shingo S. Ishida

5 years ago

A very beautiful and scenic Buddhist temple that is designated as an UNESCO cultural/heritage site. There is a also a very large garden with a footpath that accompanies the temple and its buildings, which are placed around a scenic lake. The walk around the lake offers very different views depending on where you are on the path. You can see sites of where temples used to stand (some were burnt down in wars, etc.) as well as the ones that still remain to this day. During the walk around the lake on the footpath, there is a large bell in a belfry, a gentle stream that empties into the lake, as well as a set of strategically-placed rocks and stones made to resemble a landscape. Most definitely worth the entrance fee. Very highly recommended!