平泉駅自転車旅の前編！レンタサイクルで行く無量光院跡→中尊寺～Hiraizumi 4-hour sightseeing guide (Part1)～
We’ve arrived in Hiraizumi — a town registered as a World Heritage Site. A quiet station square… and a rare blue postbox! It’s 9:00 a.m. on a weekday in September. Let’s explore an efficient yet fully enjoyable route around town! Since there are few convenience stores here, it’s best to shop at this “NewDays” first. Coin lockers here accept IC cards. There’s a tourist information center and a bicycle rental shop right in front of the station. This time, I rented an electric bike from here. You could walk, but it might be a bit tough… And driving means finding parking each time — kind of a hassle. Rental bikes are such a convenient option. I heard most of the town is flat, so I considered a regular bike at first… But once I started riding, I realized there are quite a few slopes! I’m glad I chose an electric one! I followed the recommended sightseeing order suggested by the rental shop owner. First stop: **Muryōkō-in Ruins** Now, only a large lawn and pond remain. It’s said to be the site of a temple built by Fujiwara no Hidehira. Just imagining a golden hall once standing here is truly exciting. Now, on to the next destination! Second stop: **Chūson-ji Temple** I parked at the spacious free bicycle area before heading to worship. When you think of Hiraizumi, it has to be Chūson-ji. This temple preserves the splendor of the Ōshū Fujiwara clan. From the entrance, I climb the path called “Tsukimizaka” — the Moon Viewing Slope. As its name suggests, it was once famous for moon-viewing. It’s about 300 meters long and fairly steep, but lined with tall cedar trees. The atmosphere is fresh and peaceful. The name sounds romantic, but the climb feels like a mini mountain hike! As you go higher, you start to feel out of breath… But the sunlight and birds seem to cheer you on. Only the sound of footsteps and birds echo around you — It’s a uniquely serene atmosphere. Along the way are temples like Benkei-dō and Kannon-dō — don’t miss these historic spots. You can feel the weight of history… while secretly thinking, “Are we there yet…?” At the top, you’ll reach an area full of shops and temple halls. You’ll want to take a break here — but let’s keep going a little more! From here, you can overlook the town of Hiraizumi. The view makes all that climbing worth it. And finally, we arrive at the main hall of Chūson-ji. It was rebuilt in the Meiji era. Visitors usually pray here first before heading to the Konjikidō. With hands together, I prayed for a safe journey ahead. It’s solemn yet somehow retains a simple warmth. A truly peaceful atmosphere. Next, we finally head to the highlight of Chūson-ji — the Konjikidō Golden Hall. At last, we’ve arrived at the **Konjikidō**! IC cards are accepted for admission tickets. Built in 1124 by Fujiwara no Kiyohira. Photography is not allowed inside, but the golden brilliance is unforgettable once you see it. As the name suggests, the entire hall is covered in gold leaf, decorated with mother-of-pearl and gemstones — truly breathtaking. Nearby is the spot visited by the poet Bashō in *The Narrow Road to the Deep North*. The scenery that moved him still remains today. Your ticket includes access to the Sankozo Museum, Konjikidō, Sutra Repository, and the Old Covering Hall. The Sankozo exhibits valuable cultural artifacts. It’s perfect for those who want to dive deeper into history. Leaving the Konjikidō behind, I find a Noh stage among the cedar trees. Actual Noh and Kyōgen performances are sometimes held here. Even when silent, the stage radiates elegance and quiet tension. Watching Noh here would be an incredible luxury. At Chūson-ji’s Hakusan Shrine, small shrines for the twelve zodiac guardians stand together. Visitors pray at their own zodiac shrine to receive divine protection. Can you spot yours? Nearby stands the lovely “Kanzan-tei” teahouse. It offers a stunning panoramic view of Hiraizumi from above. A perfect place to take a relaxing break. With matcha or sweets in hand, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Hiraizumi. It’s a soothing moment between temple visits. They also serve soba and pizza made with local yam. “The Konjikidō fills your heart, Kanzan-tei fills your stomach.” That might be the perfect way to describe them. Alright, time to head back. It’s all downhill now — easy riding! Around the entrance are many local shops. You can try Iwate’s specialties like *wanko soba* and *zunda* sweets. Perfect for recharging after a long walk.81
00:11:50,944 –> 00:11:54,781
歩き疲れた身体にぴったりです
世界遺産のまち平泉をレンタサイクルで巡ってきました🚲
サクッと４時間でまわるモデルコースを紹介します。
前編は「平泉駅」からスタートして、まずは「無量光院跡」へ。
そのあと金色堂で有名な「中尊寺」へ向かいます。
「無量光院跡」では、かつて平等院鳳凰堂を模して造られた寺院のスケールを感じられ、今は静かな芝生の広場となっているその姿も魅力のひとつ。
「中尊寺」は世界遺産「平泉の文化遺産」の中心となるお寺で、金色堂をはじめとした数多くの堂塔が点在する荘厳なスポット。
のんびり自転車でめぐる平泉の風景を一緒にお楽しみください。
【中尊寺】
参拝時間：3月1日〜11月3日／8:30～17:00
11月4日〜2月末日／8:30～16:30
拝観料：大人1,000円、高校生700円、中学生500円、小学生300円
讃衡蔵・金色堂・経蔵・旧覆堂を拝観可能
https://www.chusonji.or.jp/index.html
【レンタサイクル情報】
営業期間：４月～11月
営業時間：8:30～17:00
(11月は8:30～16:00
料金：4時間まで→普通自転車700円
電動自転車900円
1日→普通自転車1,300円
電動自転車1,600円
【巡回バス情報】
平泉町巡回バス『るんるん』
https://www.iwatekenkotsu.co.jp/runrun_0419.html
運行日：令和7年4月12日～11月30日の間、
（土日祝日のみ運行）
※ちなみに8月13日～17日は毎日運行
運賃：1回の乗車200円（小人100円）
交通系ICカード利用可能
「1日乗車券」なら1日何回乗っても550円！
平泉観光におすすめホテル紹介→https://youtu.be/vjPVugSootc
＃岩手県 ＃平泉 ＃世界遺産 ＃無量光院跡 ＃中尊寺 ＃レンタサイクル ＃４時間
I rented a bicycle and toured the World Heritage town of Hiraizumi. 🚲
Here’s a quick 4-hour itinerary.
In the first part, we start from Hiraizumi Station and head first to the Muryokoin Temple Ruins.
After that, we head to Chusonji Temple, famous for its Golden Hall.
At Muryokoin Temple Ruins, you can get a sense of the scale of the temple, which was originally modeled after the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin Temple. Its appearance, now a quiet grassy plaza, is also one of its charms.
Chusonji Temple is the central temple of the World Heritage Site “Cultural Heritage of Hiraizumi,” and is a majestic spot dotted with numerous halls and pagodas, including the Golden Hall.
Enjoy the scenery of Hiraizumi on a leisurely bicycle ride.
[Chusonji Temple]
Opening Hours: March 1st–November 3rd: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
November 4th–Last Day of February: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Admission Fee: ¥1,000 for Adults, ¥700 for High School Students, ¥500 for Middle School Students, ¥300 for Elementary School Students
Entrance to the Sankozo, Konjikido, Kyozo, and Kyufudo Halls is available.
https://www.chusonji.or.jp/index.html
[Bicycle Rental Information]
Operating Period: April – November
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
(8:30 AM – 4:00 PM in November)
Prices: Up to 4 hours: ¥700 for a standard bicycle
¥900 for an electric bicycle
Full day: ¥1,300 for a standard bicycle
¥1,600 for an electric bicycle
[Shuttle Bus Information]
Hiraizumi Town Shuttle Bus “Runrun”
https://www.iwatekenkotsu.co.jp/runrun_0419.html
Operating Dates: April 12th – November 30th, 2025
(Operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only)
*Operates daily from August 13th – 17th
Fare: ¥200 per ride (¥100 for children)
Transportation IC cards accepted
A one-day pass costs just 550 yen, no matter how many times you ride in a day!
#IwatePrefecture #Hiraizumi #WorldHeritage #MuryokoinRuins #Chusonji #BicycleRental #4Hours