Two World Heritage temples, autumn colour at its peak, and a dance that has been performed here for eight hundred years.
Overview
Hiraizumi was the seat of the Northern Fujiwara clan, who built a Buddhist capital here in the 11th and 12th centuries; the temple complexes of Chusonji and Motsuji survive as World Heritage sites. The Fujiwara Festival is held twice a year, in May and November, to honour the four generations of the clan.
The autumn edition begins with a memorial service for the four lords and closes the region’s sightseeing season. Its two highlights are Chusonji Noh, performed at the open-air noh stage, and the Ennen no Mai at Motsuji, a dance designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
When and where
The festival runs from 1 to 3 November every year, so in 2026 that is Sunday 1 to Tuesday 3 November. Programmes are spread across Chusonji, Motsuji and the area in front of Hiraizumi Station.
Nearest station: JR Hiraizumi, with buses and rental bicycles to both temples.
Getting there
Hiraizumi is about ten minutes from Ichinoseki on the JR Tohoku line, and Ichinoseki is roughly 2 hours 20 minutes from Tokyo on the Tohoku Shinkansen. A loop bus connects the station with Chusonji and Motsuji, and the whole area can be cycled in an afternoon.
What to expect
Formal performance rather than street festival.
- A memorial service for the four Fujiwara lords opening the festival
- A chigo procession of costumed children at Chusonji
- Chusonji Noh at the outdoor noh stage
- The Ennen no Mai in Motsuji’s Pure Land garden
- Shishi-odori deer dances and kagura in the temple precincts
Tickets and admission
Festival programmes are generally free to watch, but Chusonji and Motsuji charge their usual admission to the precincts – about 800 yen and 700 yen respectively in recent years. Some seated performances have limited capacity.
Tips for visitors
Early November is peak foliage in Hiraizumi, so the temples are busy in daylight and quiet by late afternoon. Buy the combined temple tickets at the first gate you reach. If your dates are flexible, 3 November is a public holiday with the fullest programme but the largest crowds.
Access and map
| Dates | 1-3 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Chusonji, Motsuji and central Hiraizumi, Iwate |
| Access | JR Hiraizumi station, then loop bus or bicycle |
| Admission | Free programmes; temple precincts charge admission |
| Official site | Hiraizumi Tourism Association |
Source: Hiraizumi Tourism Association
Image: Photo: merupapa / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
