Enjoy the Performing Arts in Hiraizumi, Where the Autumn Foliage Shines Brightly ~Fujiwara festival ~Day 1

Date; Every year from November 1 to 3
Location; Chuson-ji Temple, Motsu-ji Temple—Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture
Access; Take the Shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station, then transfer to a local train; it takes about 10 minutes to reach Hiraizumi. It’s about a 25-minute walk from the station to the entrance of Chuson-ji Temple, and about a 10-minute walk to Motsu-ji Temple.

This article based on 2th~3rd November, 2025

Table of contents

Chusonji temple and Fujiwara festival in autum

　Hiraizumi is one of the leading tourist destinations in the Tohoku region. This is thanks to Chuson-ji Temple, built here in the Middle Ages, and the National Treasure, the Konjikido Hall, located within the temple grounds. “Konjiki” simply means golden. True to its name, there is a temple that still stands today, with its entire structure covered in gold. For more details, please refer to other websites introducing Japan, but on this site, we’d like to introduce the Fujiwara Festival held at this temple.
　 There are two Fujiwara Festivals: one in the spring (early May) and one in the fall. The spring festival mainly features performances by celebrities and reenactments of historical processions; it is a lively event that draws large crowds. As for autumn, while it may lack some of the showiness, it more than makes up for it with the many performing arts deeply rooted in this region.
Hiraizumi town official https://hiraizumi.or.jp/en/
Iwate prefecture official https://www.hiraizumi-heritage.pref.iwate.jp/

Hounokizawa Nenbutsu Kenbai

in front of Hiraizumi station

>

That day, starting at 10:30 a.m., the Hounokizawa Nenbutsu Sword Dance welcomed us right in front of the station.
Although “Nenbutsu Kenbu” literally translates to Buddhist chanting sword dance, it is a sword dance that, at its core, incorporates prayers for the deceased. While “Oni-kenbai*,” the representative sword dance of Kitakami City, focuses primarily on the performing arts, it can be said that Nenbutsu Kenbai has a stronger religious spiritual dimension.
However, an outsider wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
*https://discoverdeeperjapan.com/2020/10/18/michinoku-traditional-performing-art-festivaloni-kenbai/

After their performance, which lasts about 20 minutes, they’ll pose for commemorative photos.
Following this, two more performances are scheduled—one in front of the Konjikidō Hall at Chūson-ji Temple and another at Mōtsū-ji Temple. Accordingly, this article will follow them as they tour the famous sights of Hiraizumi for the day.

To Chuson-ji Temple

Chuson-ji Temple is located on top of a mountain. Because of this, visitors must climb a very long slope to reach it. The slope is particularly steep in the first half, so there are even ropes along the side for visitors to hold onto.

That said, it’s autumn, and visitors forget their weariness amid the fiery autumn foliage.

in front of Konjikido Hall

Starting at 12:30 p.m., there was also a dance performance in front of the Konjikidō. Many tourists were delighted by this unexpected treat.

at Motsuji temple

Mōtsū-ji Temple is located about a 10-minute walk from the station in the opposite direction from Chūson-ji Temple.
Mōtsū-ji is one of Hiraizumi’s most famous sights, alongside Chūson-ji. Its vast grounds, which feature a large pond, are said to be modeled after the Buddhist Pure Land, and they amply evoke the prosperity of the clan that once ruled this region.

At 2:30 p.m., the sounds of flutes and drums echoed as the group approached. As scheduled, the final performance took place in front of the main hall of Motsuji Temple.