In the early 12th century, when Kyoto was the leading metropolis of Japan, a smaller city rose to prominence in the north. This was Hiraizumi, the northern seat of power of an influential samurai clan. Temples and palaces were constructed, only to be lost to war at the close of the century. Explore the remains of this once-vibrant enclave in the northern Tohoku region and discover the treasures that remain with a private guide on this full day tour.
Meet a private guide at the hotel in Sendai at 8:00 and head out for a full day of touring.
Take the shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station and travel by taxi to Hiraizumi, a city registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Start with a walk through Motsu-ji Temple Garden. This is an extremely rare type of “pure land” garden, one of the few original landscapes of this type left in Japan. This type of garden is modelled after the idea of a Buddhist paradise – a huge, serene pond surrounded by a circular walking path. Many of the temple’s buildings are gone, but the beauty of the idyllic pond still impresses.
Next, visit Chuson-ji Temple, hidden in a dense forest of soaring cedar trees. The main sight here is the wondrous Konjikido hall, a spectacular inner hall and Buddhist altar completely covered in gold. It is alleged that this is the fabled Japanese “palace of gold” that Marco Polo heard tales of but never saw for himself.
After lunch, travel by taxi to Geibikei Gorge for a boat ride through outstanding river scenery. The stunning rock walls, forested slopes, and calm water have earned Geibikei a designation as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The boat ride itself is very unique as passengers on board sit directly on mats on the wooden floor while the boatmen perform local folk songs along the journey. If there is one location to admire northern Japan’s best river scenery, this just might be the spot.
Return by taxi and shinkansen before parting ways with the guide upon arrival back in Sendai.
Inclusions:
🥘 Lunch
Notes:
- This tour is unbailable on the New Year’s Holiday (29th Dec to 4th Jan)
- The tour may be cancelled in case of heavy rain.
- Please contact your Travel Consultant for availability. Please note that all of the services and tours have yet to be booked and that they are proposed for your reference only. We will start making reservations after we receive your confirmation.
- Please inform your Travel Consultant of any special dietary requirements and physical conditions that you may have. We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance that also covers emergency medical evacuation.
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