Tour of World Heritage Sites in Iwate Prefecture and the locations where Otona no Holiday Club commercials were filmed.

  • Iwate
  • Sightseeing

(Day 2) 8:30 Visit Chuson-ji World Heritage Site

Chuson-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site in Hiraizumi

Chuson-ji was built in the early 12th century by Kiyohira, the first lord of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, who was based in Hiraizumi. After the fall of the Fujiwara clan in Oshu, most of the Buddhist buildings were lost, but six National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, including Konjikido, the Sutra Repository, and the Konjikido covered hall, as well as ruins from the temple's heyday are preserved in good condition. The World Heritage Committee stated, "The heavily gilded Chuson-ji Konjikido is the only one remaining from the 12th century and reflects the enormous wealth of the Oshu Fujiwara clan." The committee also highly praised the ruins of the Oike Temple Complex, which is assumed to be the remains of the temple mentioned in the "Chuson-ji Temple Construction Memorial Service. (From Hiraizumi Town website)


The precincts were covered with snow from the night before. The quiet precincts of the temple were filled with a dignified atmosphere just after the start of the tour, when there were few tourists. Even those who had visited several times had never seen such an atmosphere before. I recommend visiting the shrine first thing in the morning, especially for repeat visitors!
Then, the long-awaited Konjikido. Even though I must have visited many times, the beauty of the hall took my breath away. Yet another feeling of pride overflows. I don't know why. Every time I visit Konjikido, I feel like, "This is the great heritage that Iwate Prefecture can boast to the world! I feel like "This is the great heritage that Iwate Prefecture is proud to share with the world!

On the way back, we descended Tsukimizaka, a slope famous for its steepness. The ground is slightly frozen in some places, so the guide gave us a lecture on how to walk like penguins. The guide told us to "walk like a penguin," which means to take small steps and tread the ground with your whole foot to avoid slipping.
Chuson-ji is also beautiful when covered with snow, so be sure to visit in winter as well.
Chuson-ji Temple】 For more information, please visit

10:30 Visit Shoboji Temple (where the membership organization of JR East (Otonano Kyujitsu Club) no the membership organization of JR East (Otonano Kyujitsu Club) CM was filmed)

Shobo-ji Temple, known for one of the largest thatched roofs in Japan

The Dharma Hall, which is said to be one of the largest thatched buildings in Japan, is a large thatched building with a frontage of about 30 meters and a depth of about 21 meters. The Kori, with a frontage of 33 meters and a depth of 17 meters, is the second largest thatched building after the Dharma Hall. The temple, including Somon, has been preserved, and even today, monks from all over the country gather here to undergo rigorous ascetic training, maintaining the atmosphere that attracted faith as the center of the Soto sect of Buddhism in the Tohoku region. There are also many cultural assets designated by Iwate Prefecture, such as the seated statue of Nyoirin-kanzeon Bodhisattva, the principal image of the hidden Buddha, and the painting of Muteiryosho Satsuma (Zen Master Mutei Ryosho), some of which are kept in the treasury. (From the Oshu City website)


In this tour, we experienced zazen and Dharma talks. In zazen, one closes one's eyes and does not think about anything. In zazen, one closes one's eyes for half a minute and thinks of nothing, and in this "time of nothingness" one experiences a strange sensation. Despite this state of nothingness, my mind remained sharp and clear. And when I opened my eyes after zazen, I felt refreshed and invigorated. Perhaps it is similar to the state of "totonou" in a sauna.
In the Dharma talk that followed, he talked about zazen. Zazen is a way to be mindless.

Then, why zazen?

Because "no mind" means "enlightenment. In other words, zazen is a way to attain enlightenment. It was an experience that changed my image of zazen.

At the end of the tour, we took the group to the location where the Otona no Hinokitu Club commercial was shot. The commercial was aired just before the coronary disaster, but after the infection spread, there were no more opportunities to see it. Many of the tour participants said, "I didn't know this was where the commercial was shot. One of the tour participants commented, "This is really a wonderful temple. Tour participants also commented, "It is really a wonderful temple and should be known to travelers around the world. It is worth it. We were able to provide one of the biggest surprises of the tour, with such enthusiastic comments as, "This is a really wonderful temple.
【Shobo-ji Temple】 For more information, please visit

13:00 Historical Park Esashi Fujiwara no Sato

The only one of its kind in Japan! History Park Esashi Fujiwara no Sato (History Park Esashi Fujiwara no Sato), the only one of its kind in Japan!

Esashi, Oshu City was the home of Kiyohira, the first generation of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, and his father, Kiyohira Tsuneakiyo. Kiyohira built Konjikido in Hiraizumi, which was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in June 2011. The "Historical Park Eshi Fujiwara no Sato" is a Heian-period historical theme park that was established in 1993 for the filming of the historical drama "Flame Standing," based on the rise and fall of the Oshu Fujiwara clan. On the 20-hectare site, there are about 120 buildings of various sizes, including the Kyara Gosho, Japan's only recreation of a Heian aristocrat's residence in the shinden-zukuri style; the Keiseikan and Kiyohira-kan, recreations of samurai residences; and the Seicho, the seat of government that governed the country. (From the Esaushi Fujiwara no Sato website)


Esaushi Fujiwara no Sato was the last stop on this tour. Immediately after our visit, there was a snowstorm, but this allowed us to encounter quaint scenery in a world of white.
Although many people may think that this "Esaushi Fujiwara no Sato" is a filming location for period dramas, it is actually a "historical theme park. Therefore, there are many fun activities for both children and adults, such as archery, wearing period clothing, and an AR application game to find the introductions. Tour participants enjoyed the archery experience. The archery experience is surprisingly difficult, and it is said to be a bit serious because it is hard to hit the target.
In addition, there is an abundance of plants in the park! Visitors can enjoy seasonal plants such as cherry blossoms, wisteria, and autumn leaves in spring, so be sure to visit to see the scenery that changes with each season. In the summer, the park also hosts firefly and lightning bug viewing events.
【Historical Park Esashi Fujiwara no Sato】 For more information, please visit

15:00 Mizusawa Esashi Station

From "Historical Park Esashi Fujiwara no Sato", take a 15-minute bus ride to Mizusawa Esashi Station.

This concludes our content-filled 2-day/1-night tour of the Hiraizumi World Heritage Area. The three World Heritage sites in Iwate Prefecture are the largest number in Japan, along with those in Nara and Kagoshima prefectures. Furthermore, each of the three prehistoric, medieval, and modern periods (Jomon, Heian, and Edo/Meiji periods) has its own "culture" to preserve.

～10:30 【Otona no Holiday Club Commercial Filming】 Shoboji Temple 13:00 Historical Park Esashi Fujiwara no Sato 15:00 Mizusawa Esashi Sta.

The information is current as of January, 2023.
The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
All images are for reference only.
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