Beauty shaped by natural force Genbikei Gorge (Ichinoseki) Flowing from Mount Kuriko, the Iwai River passes by the Genbikei Gorge. The exotically-shaped rocks in the river display natural beauty in different forms; water hits the rocks creating lively splashes, pools form on the rocks making them glow emerald green, and the twisted currents create blue whirlpools in the water. With cherry blossoms in the spring, green leaves in the summer, maple leaves in the fall and snow in the winter, the stream is a beautiful canvas colored by the four seasons. ●A 20-minute bus ride from Ichinoseki Station on the Iwate Prefecture Bus for Genbikei.

The treasure chest of Heian Art Chusonji Temple (Hiraizumi) Chusonji Temple was founded in 850 by a priest named Jikakudaishi. In the early 12th century, Fujiwara's first generation Kiyohira refounded the temple in hopes for peace in Ouu and for the worship of war victims. The Konjikido (the Golden-Colored Hall) is a must for visitors. The hall's interior is lacquered and covered with gold leaves. Mother-of-Pearl and metal fittings with lace designs decorate the glittering hall. It is said that the mummies of Kiyohira, Motohira, Hidehira and the head of Yasuhira are kept in the dais. ●A 5-minute ride to Chusonji on the Iwate Prefecture Bus for Chusonji and Mizusawa.

Where Minamoto Yoshitsune spent his final days Takadachi and Gikeido (Hiraizumi) The shelter that protected Yoshitsune who fled from his brother Yoritomo's attack was located in the area. Yoshitsune eventually commited suicide in the shelter during a sudden attack by Hidehira's son Yasuhira. The Gikeido hall was built in 1683 and it houses a wooden statue of Yoshitsune. From Takadachi, the best viewing point in Hiraizumi, you can see the Kitakami River in the center, Mount Tabashine in the distant right and Koromo River and the ancient war site in the far left. ●A 5-minute ride to Chusonji Temple on the Iwate Prefecture Bus for Chusonji and Mizusawa.

The legend of Yoshitsune, a tragic hero

Hiraizumi flourished between the latter half of the Heian period (794 - 1185) and the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333) as the headquarters for the Fujiwara clan of Oshu, the northeastern region of Japan. Yoshitsune, being captured, committed suicide here at the Koromo-gawa River. But some say that Yoshitsune may not have died, and instead headed for the Asian continent and became the famous Genghis Khan. Being sympathetic people, the Japanese have come to believe many different legends and mysteries regarding Yoshitsune's death, keeping the tragedy of the hero alive. Even today, there are many who stand at Yoshitsune's final grounds and ponder about the loss.

●Get off at Hiraizumi on the JR Tohoku Honsen Line and walk 10-15 min. Tourism and Commerce Section of Hiraizumi-machi Municipal Office / 0191-46-2111

Takkokunoiwaya Cave Roughly1200 years ago, Sakanoue Tamuramaro who was seiitaishogun(the commander-in-chief of an expeditionary force against the barbarians) attacked the Emishi (the northeastern aboriginal tribe) chief Akuroo. It is said that the cave served as Akuroo's shelter. A hall enshrining the bishamonten(one of the Seven Dieties of Good Fortune) was built after Emishi was conquered. The dainichinyorai (the great sun Buddha) was engraved into one of the rocks that made up a wall in the eastern side of the hall. Today, the full image has been reduced to the face and shoulders. ●A 20-minute ride from Hiraizumi Station to Takkokunoiwaya on the Iwate Prefecture Bus for Genbikei.

Yumeyakata Fujiwara Family of Oushuu District: their history From the Earlier Nine Years' War (1051-1062) to the burning of Hiraizumi, 30 scenes depicting the history and culture of the Fujiwara family's rule are displayed with 107 wax dolls. Images of the past come to life with spectacular holograms, sound effects and lights ●A 15-minutes walk from Hiraizumi station.