Wandering Rural Hiraizumi: Forest Trails to Sacred Grounds | Japan 4K

📍 Hiraizumi Countryside Trail – Quiet Streets, Mountain Paths & Autumn Colors 🍂🏞️

Hello Walkers,

today’s journey begins at Hiraizumi Station (平泉駅), taking us across the peaceful rural town of Hiraizumi, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Iwate prefecture in the Tōhoku region.
We cross empty country streets and silent residential lanes, capturing the essence of Japan’s countryside in autumn: golden fields, fading leaves, and the calm rhythm of everyday life far from the crowds.

After leaving the heart of the village, we gradually approach the foothills leading to Chūson-ji, northern Japan’s iconic temple, famous for its golden Konjikidō Hall.
The route winds along mountain roads, forested slopes, mossy stone steps, and old wooden gates.
While we do not enter the temples directly, the atmosphere shifts from rural to spiritual, framed by autumn’s gentle light and the muted soundscape of distant bells, wind, and rustling leaves.

🚶‍♂️ What to Expect in This Walk:
✔️ Tranquil walk through rural Hiraizumi 🏘️
✔️ Deserted country streets & fields 🌾
✔️ Transition from town to mountain trail ⛰️
✔️ Approaching the Chūson-ji temple path 🏯
✔️ Forested roads & mossy steps 🌲
✔️ Autumn foliage & seasonal colors 🍁
✔️ Stone lanterns & ancient gates 🏮
✔️ Peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere 🌤️

If you plan to visit Hiraizumi, don’t miss:

-The approach to Chūson-ji & Konjikidō Golden Hall
-Mōtsū-ji Temple and its Pure Land garden
-Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon-dō
-Geibikei Gorge (short train ride)
-Local cafés and village side streets

📍 Location Timestamps:
00:00 - Start from Hiraizumi station - 平泉駅
00:40 - Walking along Moutsuuji street
10:40 - Shiseki Park - 史跡公園
12:34 - Jōdoteien, Mōtsūji Temple entrance - 毛越寺 浄土庭園
12:48 - Rain!
15:43 - 土類跡 - Kanjizaio-in
19:45 - Daiamidado - 不動堂
21:50 - Side roads
29:25 - Main street with Golden leaves
39:20 - Road crossing towards level crossing
40:32 - Chusonji street
44:28 - Fun and friendly encounter with a local resident near the grave of Musashibo-Benkei - 武蔵坊弁慶大墓碑
45:38 - Sandō of Chūsonji (Temple approach) - 中尊寺参道
50:47 - Chusonji Temple main gate ruins - 中尊寺 総門跡
55:20 - Yakushidō - 薬師堂
57:42 - Miné-yakushidō 峯薬師堂
1:00:00 - Benzaitendo 弁財天堂
1:01:00 - Approach to Hakusan Shrine - 白山神社参道
1:03:57 - Hakusan-jinja Nō Butai (Noh Stage) - 白山神社能舞台 (野外能楽殿)
1:06:45 - Daichojuin temple - 大長寿院

💬 What part of this rural journey did you enjoy the most?
Would you like to visit Hiraizumi in autumn?
👍 If you enjoyed this walk, a like helps more people discover the channel!

This time, I met a kind local: it’s small encounters like this that make me love Japan even more.

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📷 Gear Used in this Video:
– DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo → https://amzn.to/442GlqA
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– Peak Design Everyday Backpack 15L → https://amzn.to/4k93tbu
– Freewell ND/PL filters All Day kit → https://amzn.to/3HTv8A2

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