Hiraizumi is a small lovely village in the Prefecture of Iwate. It is located north of Ichinoseki and south of Ōshū. Hiraizumi has a population of about 8’000 people.

History:

According to English article about Hiraizumi on wikipedia.org the first structure might have been the Hakusan-Jinja (Shrine). This Shrine was built at about 634 A.D. on the holy Mt. Kanzan.

The official history sais Hiraizumi was founded by Fujiwara no Kiyohira. I think Hiraizumi was founded by Nakatomi no Kamatari, or at least the first steps leading into a foundation where made by him. Interestingly, Nakatomi no Kamatari lived at the time the Hakusan-Jinja was built. Nakatomi no Kamatari became the first Fujiwara shortly before he died (Nakatomi no Fujiwara ot sometimes also Kamatari no Fujiwara).

Anyway it is not controversial that Hiraizumi had its heyday at the time of Fujiwara no Kiyohira. He moved his residence to Hiraizumi at about 1100. He let expand the Mōtsūji and Chūsonji (Temples), which are still remaining. There must have been a lot more Temples, Shrines and Residences. Some of them must have been imposant and difficult to surpass in beauty. Actually Hiraizumi had a population which have been almost the same than the population of the capital.

Hiraizumi was destroyed by Minamoto no Yoritomo because his brother was killed by the son of Fujiwara no Hidehira in Hiraizumi.

Like mentioned before, the Mōtsūji and the Chūsonji are the only temples which are still remaining and reveal the former beauty and glory of Hiraizumi.

The UNESCO may decide to record Hiraizumi as a World Heritage in June.

To see some photographs of Hiraizumi please follow:

Right Light GmbH – International

Right Light GmbH – Japan

To see more details about the history please follow the wikipedia.org link above.

Information for all people living in Iwate (or in this region).
The Iwate International Association is organizing an event called “Chatland”.

June 4th | 14:00-16:00 | aiina (5th floor) International  Exchange Center | Chatland (World Heritages and Hiraizumi)

World Heritages and Hiraizumi will be presented by Keith Wyss (me.)
The presentation will be in english and japanese. (About 60 minutes.)

Every year in spring, the cherry blossoms begin to bloom. They present their beauty for just a short time. The full splendor is only a few days to enjoy. After they presented themselves in their full glory they fall down.

The cherry blossoms are an important element of the japanese culture, I think. The japanese mentality says nothing is for ever, everything changes and the end of something is important. All this points can be compared with the cherry blossoms. They are blooming for just about two weeks. (Depends which area and how the weather is like.) They change a lot during this two weeks, starting with the bud, opening to the flower and presenting their full glory at the peak for several days before falling down. The end, when they’re falling down, is an impressive spectacle. When the wind is carrying them away from the trees everything looks like a dreamland.

I had the luck to see the blossoms at the peak in Kyōto and in the north of Japan as well as in Hokkaidō. For me one of the most beautiful places where the Ryōan-ji in Kyōto and Nishizao in Yamakata Prefecture. The Hirosaki Castle is also a beautiful spot but unfortunately there was bad weather when I’ve been there.

To see some photographs of the cherry blossoms please follow:

Right Light GmbH – International

Right Light GmbH – 日本

Right Light GmbH – Facebook 

You probably all read the news about Japan. So I won’t write about the happenings from the 11th March again.

You might be interested in seeing some photographs made at Japans east coast. The photographs we published on our website have been taken in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures.

Iwate Prefecture:
Miyako
Rikusentakata

Miyagi Prefecture:
Kesennuma

Saty tuned:
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Tōyako is the name of a volcanic caldera lake next to the same called town, which is located in the Iburi subprefecture on Hokkaidō. Both is standing in the Shikotsu-Tōya-Nationalpark. Tōyako is Japans northernmost lake which is never frozen. It is, next to the Mashuko, the most clearest lake japans. There is a forest museum on Nakanoshima, one of the islands in the middle of the lake.

Mount Uso is also a trip worth, unfortunately I had bad weather, otherwise you can see the nice landscape surrounding the lake. Mount Yotei is probably the biggest highlight.

In 2008 the 34th G8-Summit was held in Tōya, the town by the lake.

Yoichi is a town located in the subprefecture Shiribeshi, which is in Hokkaidō. Yoichi means snake river, if I am remembering correct.

Yoichi is the home of the nationwide famous Nikka Whiskey Distillery. It is also famous for its fruits, mainly for apples and the juice they produce.

For me one of the most attracting sights was the candle rock ‘Rousoku Iwa’. Also the seaside is very nice. I like the cliffs there.

If you stay in Yoichi I can recommend the Suimeikaku Ryokan, which is located little outside the town. But the way is it worth.

www.suimeikaku.com

You are all welcome to visit the exhibition of the Right Light GmbH which is taking place next month, in Morioka. The Iwate International Association kindly allows me to use their space to present some pictures of Europe. There are going to be pictures of several countries, like Switzerland, Sweden and Italy (also some others) and cities, like Paris, Zurich and Venice (also some others).

The Exhibition is going to start November 8th and will end 22nd.

We are looking forward to welcome you there.

岩手県国際交流協会 | aiina 1-7-1 Moriokaekinisidori (5th floor) | www.iwate-ia.or.jp

Otaru is a harbor city in Shiribeshi, Hokkaido. It is located northwest of Sapporo. Otaru has many historical buildings therefore it is a well liked tourist destination. Do not miss to visit Otaru Glass.

Otaru has a few great temples. For me the most interesting was Jououji. There also is a nice shrine, where you can enjoy a good view over the city and the harbor. (This shrine was the first religious place I have been to in Japan.)

In Otaru you also can enjoy fresh and delicious Sashimi (and Sushi as well).

If you are in Sapporo you should visit Otaru. It is not far away (about 30 minutes by train) and has a plenty to offer.

www.right-light.ch

Morioka

Morioka is the administrative center of Iwate (Iwate is the biggest prefecture in Japan.) and also the biggest city in Iwate. Morioka counts about 300’000 inhabitants. From Morioka you can see the mount Iwate which is 2041 meters high. The Kitakami river flows thru Morioka.

One of the most interesting sights is the stone splitting cherry tree. It stands in front of the courthouse and is about 300 to 400 years old. The Bank of Iwate (old headquarters) is a typical building of the Meiji era. It was built at 1911 and stands in the center of the city. Morioka also has a nice castle side but unfortunately the castle is not standing anymore.

Morioka has a lot of temples. Most of them are close together. (I have not seen all of them yet.) One of the most attractive is the Hoon-ji because of the 500 varnished buddha statues (made from wood) there is also a sculpture of Marco Polo and Kublai Khan. There is also a big shrine called Hachimangu which I can recommend.

Sansa Odori is one of the most lovely festivals in Morioka, it also has a ‘Guinness World Record’ because of most drummers.

www.right-light.ch

Sapporo

Sapporo is the biggest city in Hokkaido. Japans northernmost island. Sapporo nearly counts 2 million inhabitants. Unfortunately I never stayed in Sapporo. I drove thru when I went to Otaru from New Chitose Airport. One evening I spent in Sapporo, to get a little insight. Sapporo also has a tower similar to the Tokyo Tower (smaller) and I went on a giant wheel which stands on top of a department store (there you have a great view over the city). Sapporo is also a well know beer brand. I just can recommend it.