The Golden Hall of Chuson-ji Temple

Home The Golden Hall of Chuson-ji Temple Visiting the Golden Hall of Chuson-ji Temple in Japan Hidden in the forested hills of northern Japan, the Golden Hall of Chuson-ji Temple is one of the country's most dazzling surprises. Far from the crowds of Tokyo and Kyoto, this golden sanctuary preserves the glittering world of the samurai lords who once ruled Japan's remote northeast. For first-time visitors, it is a rare chance to step directly into a carefully preserved 12th-century masterpiece. Officially known as Konjikidō, the Golden Hall is the jewel of Chuson-ji, a historic temple complex in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. Covered inside and out with gold leaf and intricate decoration, it was built to represent the Buddhist Pure Land paradise and to enshrine the remains of the powerful Ōshu Fujiwara clan. Why the Golden Hall Belongs on Your Japan Itinerary Many first-time travelers focus on Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but including Chuson-ji's Golden Hall adds a very differ