Muslim Friendly Japan
Motsuji Temple

Motsuji Temple

UNESCO World Heritage

毛越寺

Motsuji is a head temple of the Tendai school in Hiraizumi, said to have been founded in 850 by the priest Jikaku. In the late Heian period, the Oshu Fujiwara lords Motohira and Hidehira built a large temple complex here. Most buildings were later lost, but the Pure Land Garden around Oizumigaike Pond remains. The garden and building remains are a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.

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Visitor information

Opening hours

Open 8:30–17:00; from November 5 to March 4, 8:30–16:30.

Closed

Open every day, with no holidays listed.

Admission

Adults 700 yen, high school students 400 yen, elementary and junior high students 200 yen.

Getting there

7 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by car from Hiraizumi Station.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

  • Bush clover blooms in mid to late September, and maples around Oizumigaike Pond turn red from late October to early November.

Tips for Muslim visitors

  • The main sight is the Pure Land Garden around Oizumigaike Pond, which you can enjoy simply by walking around it; it is known for bright red maples in autumn.
  • Buddhist temples welcome visitors of all faiths. You can enjoy the buildings and gardens without joining any prayer, burning incense or buying charms.
  • Many halls ask you to take off your shoes. Wear socks and shoes that are easy to slip off, and keep a bag for your shoes if none is provided.
  • Photography is often not allowed inside halls. Follow the signs and ask staff if you are unsure.
  • Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Iwate and the verified places to pray nearby.
  • Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.

Prayer times in Iwate

Today (5 Nov 2026)

  1. Fajr04:26
  2. Sunrise06:08
  3. Dhuhr11:21
  4. Asr14:07
  5. Maghrib16:30
  6. Isha18:01

Times are calculated for Morioka. Times may differ elsewhere in Iwate.

Next 7 days →

Places to pray near Motsuji Temple

All places to pray in Iwate →

Halal food near Motsuji Temple

We have not verified a halal restaurant near here yet. Until then, these guides can help you choose food safely:

Distances and walking times are estimates based on straight-line distance.

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Map

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Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sources (Checked 5 Nov 2026): motsuji.or.jp, iwatetabi.jp