This temple unfolds below a tall cliff face, with the striking centerpiece of the crimson Hall of Bishamon standing directly against the stone, concealing a cave where holy relics are kept secreted away. Takkoku was first founded over 1,200 years ago, when the imperial commander Sakanoue no Tamuramaro defeated an Emishi army (the indigenous people of northern Japan) at their stronghold here. Sakanoue then commissioned the temple, dedicating it to Bishamon, god of victory.
Though the original temple was lost to fire long ago, the current structure was rebuilt in 1961, modeled after Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Temple. Out of the recorded 108 statues of Bishamon enshrined here at the temple’s founding, 33 survive today, though they are only displayed on rare ceremonial occasions.
(Designated a national historic site by the Japanese government)
VENUE DETAILS
- Address
- 16 Kitazawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi Town, Nishi Iwai-gun, Iwate
029-4102 岩手県西磐井郡平泉町平泉字北沢16 - Hours
- 8:00-17:00, Nov-Mar 8:00-16:30
- Admission
- Adults 300 yen, Middle-High School 100 yen, Grade School and younger free. 10% Group discount for 30+
- Access 1
- 10 minutes via taxi from Hiraizumi Station
- Access 2
- 30 minutes by rental cycle from Hiraizumi Station
- Access 3
- 20 minute drive from Hiraizumi-Maesawa Interchange