Takkoku-no-iwaya bishamondō — Attraction in Hiraizumi

神域では動植物の採取も飲食も禁止です。パワーが違う感じです。中尊寺に行く方はここもぜひ！ Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo was established in a religious precinct by one of Samurai heroes, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, in 801. Because this surrounding area is so sacred that it is forbidden to kill any animals or pick any plants. Plus, you are not supposed to smoke, eat, or drink, nor bring any pets. Please feel the power of divine land surrounded by barriers. Bishamondo was built under the cliff. Bishamon is a god of war who originally protects those born in the year of Tiger. Bishamon fights demons and invites happiness. Bishamon saves not only fighters but also those who wish for their love, intelligence, promotion and fertility. At the inner part of the sacred area, there is Stone carving of Buddha. A legend says that a master archer, Minamotono Yoshiie, carved this Buddha by firing arrows at the sandstone cliff. The 16.5m high Buddha is one of the largest Buddha statues or carvings in Japan and known as the Northern...

A not-so-grand but still very beautiful shrine not to far from the more popular and crowded Hiraizumi area in Iwate Prefecture. The shrine is embedded into the natural rock wall, which intrudes into the interior of the shrine in a asthetically pleasing and beautiful way. The Bishamon deity is honored here and is an incredibly detailed and intricate statue. The small footpath/garden/lake outside is also very pretty and is a nice place to snap some pics during the right time of the day. Entrance fee is minimal, and a good-sized parking lot is available for free across the street if you come by car. Worth a look if you're...

It's a little out of the way, but well worth the travel if you've got a car or rented a bike. It's a multi-part shrine with free parking out front.

The whole group of shrines is impressive, but especially the first part. The one in all the pictures is the Bishamonten hall with lots of Bishamonten god-of-war statues, said to be built by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro after subjugating the area's previous tyrant. Later it was visited by Minamoto no Yoritomo after the successful assassination of his half-brother Yoshitsune. If you're a Kamakura Era fan, it's...