[Iwate Prefecture ]Recharge your batteries with nature, shrines and temples! 10 recommended power spots

World Heritage Site "Hiraizumi's Cultural Heritage "" Chuson-ji "is a historic temple founded in 850. In the 12th century, the Oshu Fujiwara clan undertook a major expansion of the temple. The most famous of its many structures is "Konjikido ". Built in 1124, Konjikido has been carefully preserved to this day in the same form as when it was first built.
"Konjikido As the name "suggests, the hall is covered with gold leaf and decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay. The ten Buddha images surrounding the Amida Nyorai are a sight to behold. Visit the historic "Chuson-ji "and receive the blessings of the Buddha.

Location: 202 Koronoseki, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture
Admission: Adults 800 yen / High school students 500 yen / Junior high school students 300 yen / Elementary school students 200 yen

"Motsu-ji "is also on the "Hiraizumi's Cultural Heritage "list along with "Chuson-ji ". Founded in 850, the temple was once in ruins, but was rebuilt in the 12th century by the Oshu Fujiwara clan and has been carefully preserved to this day.
The grounds are large and famous for "Jodo Garden ", a garden with a large pond. The garden incorporates the pagoda mountain outside the grounds as a backdrop, and is a perfect blend of nature and manmade objects. After visiting the main hall and strolling through the garden, you can experience sutra copying and Zen meditation. It is a place where you can have a quiet conversation with yourself in a tranquil temple.

Location: 58 Oosawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture
Admission: Adults 700 yen / High school students 400 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 200 yen

"Fudo Falls "is 15 meters high and has been selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan. The waterfall falling with a spray of water is a spectacular sight. It suddenly appears in the green forest and contrasts with the vermilion bridge in front of the waterfall. The fresh green season and the season of autumn leaves are also beautiful, but winter offers a different view. The surrounding area is covered with snow, leaving only the white of the snow and the black of the rocks, like an ink painting. On days when it is very cold, the waterfall freezes over and ice falls can be seen.
"On the way back to the parking lot from Fudo Falls ", there is a "match-making tree "with two separate trunks from one root. "This is a power to visit together after getting plenty of negative ions from Fudo Falls ".

Location: Takahata, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

"Hachimantai "is a 1631-meter-high mountain that is also one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan. Although it is a mountain, it is easily accessible by car even for those who do not climb mountains. "If you drive the Aspite Line ", a road connecting Iwate and Akita prefectures, you will find the "Hachimantai Summit Rest House ", where you can start your trek.
"The course to the observatory after visiting Hachiman-numa "and "Gama-numa "is a 60-minute round trip from the parking lot, so you can enjoy the nature of Hachimantai at a leisurely pace. The view of Hachimantai and Mt. Iwate from the observatory is spectacular, as is the pond with its cobalt blue water. Breathe in the delicious air and recharge your batteries with the power of nature.

Location: Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

Facing the Pacific Ocean, "Jodogahama "is a scenic spot formed by igneous rocks that rose about 52 million years ago and eroded over time. The white rocks towering over the blue sea make it look like a foreign country. "Jodogahama "has rocks with various names. You can enjoy "Byobu Iwa ", which has a wide open shape like a folding screen, and "Benkei Handprint ", which looks like it has a large human handprint on it.
You can stroll along the beach on foot, or you can view it from the sea on a sightseeing boat. Once out to sea, you can enjoy a different view from land, and there are spots that can only be seen from the sea. Let's receive the power of the sea at Jodogahama, where you can feel the energy of the earth.

Location: Hitachihama-cho, Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

"Mitsuishi Shrine "is the shrine from which Iwate Prefecture takes its name. Three large granite rocks in the precincts of the shrine are wrapped with shimenawa (sacred rope). "According to the legend of Mitsuishi Shrine ", the villagers asked "Mitsuishi-sama "to exterminate a misbehaving demon. "Mitsuishi-sama "tied the demon to these three rocks and made him promise "never to do evil again ". It is said that the ogre left a handprint on this rock as proof of his promise, which is the origin of the "rock ".
The shrine has long been called "Mitsuishi-sama "and loved by the locals. Why not pray to the large rock, which is not easily seen in the city?

Location: 2-1 Nasukawa-cho, Morioka-shi, Iwate
Fee: Free of charge

"Geibikei Gorge "is where limestone rock walls over 50 meters high rise for 2 km along the Sunatetsu River. This beautiful valley is registered as one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan. Along the valley, there are countless rocks with various names such as "Bishamon Cave "and "Shishigahana ". However, none of them are accessible on foot. "Take a boat trip to Geibikei Gorge "and enjoy the scenery.
You will be overwhelmed by the huge rock walls that rise up close to you. In summer, the fresh greenery is beautiful, and in winter, the trees are covered with snow and the scenery looks like an ink painting. There is also a power spot called "Luck Throwing ". It is said that if you throw "a ball of luck "from the opposite shore into the hole in the rock wall and it enters the hole, your wish will come true. After enjoying the beautiful scenery of the valley, try your luck.

Location: 467 Aza-machi, Nagasaka, Higashiyama-cho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture
Admission: Adults (junior high school students and older) 1,800 yen / Elementary school students 900 yen / Infants 200 yen

"Uziyu Shrine "is a shrine founded in the Edo period and enshrines the Uziyu Great Myojin. The shrine is known as a power spot for love fulfillment and matchmaking. It is said that if you can tie this red cloth with your left hand only, your love will be fulfilled.
Numerous red cloths tied around the small temple grounds create a mysterious space. The red cloths can be purchased at an unattended shop on the temple grounds. This is a power spot for love that can be enjoyed with friends or as a couple.

Location: 9-23 Shimogumi-cho, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture
Fee: Free of charge

"Tatsuya-gut Bishamon-do "was founded about 1200 years ago by the first barbarian general Sakagami Tamuramaro. The vermilion-lacquered main hall, built to be embedded in the rocks, has the atmosphere of a Chinese temple. Inside the hall, Bishamonten (god of war) is enshrined, and the interior is decorated in a glittering manner.
In the precincts of the temple, there is also "Iwamen Daibutsu "where you can see a huge Daibutsu carved into the rock. It is a whopping 16.5 meters high, with a face 3.6 meters long and shoulders 9.9 meters wide. This Great Buddha, which was created about 1,000 years ago, is in a state of collapse due to natural erosion and earthquakes. After visiting Sakagami Tamuramaro and Bishamonten, you should also visit "Iwamen Daibutsu "together.

Location: 16 Kitazawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishibai-gun, Iwate
Admission: Adults 500 yen / High school and junior high school students 200 yen

"Ryusendo "is one of the three largest limestone caves in Japan. The total length of the cave is 4,008m as far as we know, of which 700m is open to the public. Eight underground lakes have been found, three of which are open to the public.
Immediately after entering the entrance, "Hyakumen Corridor "is a straight passageway formed along a fault line, and legend has it that a dragon passed through to create this path. "Continuing beyond the Hyakumen Corridor ", you will pass numerous stalactites such as "Turtle Rock "and "Dragon's Abyss "before arriving at the First Underground Lake. The second and third underground lakes follow, all of which are filled with beautiful cobalt blue water. Let's experience the mystery of nature and recharge your batteries in the cool and refreshing limestone caves.

Location: 1-1 Kaminari, Iwaizumi, Iwaizumi-machi, Shimo-sei-gun, Iwate Prefecture
Admission: Adults (high school students and older) 1,100 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 550 yen

We have introduced 10 power spots in Iwate Prefecture. There are many temples and shrines associated with historical figures such as Tamuramaro Sakagami and the Oshu Fujiwara clan, as well as places where you can feel the power of nature. When you visit Iwate Prefecture, which is full of historical romance and beautiful nature, be sure to visit the power spots as well.