Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location	Hiraizumi, Nishiiwai District, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Criteria	Cultural: (ii), (vi)
Inscription	2011 (35th Session)
Area	176.2 ha (435 acres)
Buffer zone	6,008 ha (14,850 acres)

The Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi is a special place in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. It's recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

This important site includes five different locations. Four of these places are Buddhist temples. The fifth is a sacred mountain called Mount Kinkeisan. These areas are protected by the Japanese government. They are seen as important historic sites and beautiful natural places.

A Look Back at Hiraizumi's History
- Pure Land Buddhism and Gardens
Important Locations in Hiraizumi
More Information
Images for kids
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A Look Back at Hiraizumi's History

Hiraizumi was a very important place a long time ago. From the late 1000s to the late 1100s, it was a major center. It was important for politics, military, business, and culture. During this time, many Buddhist temples were built. People also created beautiful art and gardens.

Pure Land Buddhism and Gardens

A special type of Buddhism, called Pure Land Buddhism, grew in Japan. It had its own unique ideas for planning and garden design. The four gardens in Hiraizumi show these ideas. They also show how Japanese people thought about gardens. They believed gardens, water, and the surrounding nature should all work together.

The Ōshū Fujiwara clan built these four gardens. They were a powerful family at the time. A famous poet named Matsuo Bashō was inspired by what the Fujiwara family left behind. In 1689, he wrote about how their "glory vanished in the space of a dream."

In 2011, UNESCO officially added parts of Hiraizumi to its World Heritage Site list.

Important Locations in Hiraizumi

Here are the five main places that make up the Hiraizumi World Heritage Site:

Name	Location	What it is
Chūson-ji (中尊寺)	Hiraizumi	A cultural site, meaning it's important for history and art.
Mōtsū-ji (毛越寺)	Hiraizumi	Another cultural site with historical importance.
Kanjizaiō-in (観自在王院跡)	Hiraizumi	A cultural site, known for its gardens.
Muryōkō-in (無量光院跡)	Hiraizumi	A cultural site with historical ruins.
Mount Kinkeisan (金鶏山, Kinkeizan)	Hiraizumi	A natural site, a sacred mountain.