◆樹齢300年の杉木立　The 300-year-old Japanese cedar grove

表参道から金色堂へと続く月見坂は、名前からしてロマンチック！昼なおうっそうとした古道の雰囲気に、旅人気分が盛り上がります。
Tsukimizaka (“Moon-Viewing Slope”) stretching from the Omotesandō road to Konjikidō Hall is perfect for moon-viewing, with an aptly romantic name. The aged road heavily shaded even at noon sets an atmosphere sure to excite any traveler’s spirits.

◆緑の中の弁慶堂　Benkei Hall, surrounded by green

弁慶と義経の木像が収められている弁慶堂は高台にあり、眺めも最高。古びたお堂と周りの緑を見ていると、早くもタイムスリップ！
There are wooden carvings of Benkei and Yoshitsune placed within Benkei Hall, which stands at the highest point in the area, providing an excellent view of the landscape around it. When looking upon this old-fashioned temple complex and its surrounding greenery, it quickly transports the viewer to a past era.

◆行く雲を眺めて　Gaze at the passing clouds

白河から青森までを治めていた藤原家。ここに中尊寺を建立したのはその中心に近かったからだそう。こうして下界を眺めると天下を取った気分になりますね。
It is said that the Fujiwara Clan, ruling over the land from Shirakawa to Aomori, erected Chūsonji Temple in this place because it was near the heart of their territory. Gazing out at the lands, one feels as though one has conquered the whole world.

◆かわいいお守りがあります　An adorable good-luck charm

中尊寺にはいったい何種類のお守りがあるのでしょうか？最近はこんなかわいいお守りもあるのですね。
Just how many kinds of good-luck charms are purchasable at Chūsonji Temple? Recently adorable charms such as this have become available.

◆芭蕉気分で一服　A short rest in the spirit of Bashō

金色堂の手前、こんな可愛らしい茶屋がありました。ヒンヤリ冷えた甘酒は程よい生姜の風味がたまりません。
Just in front of Konjikido Hall, there is a quaint little teahouse. The flavor of refreshingly chilled sweet-sake with the slight taste of ginger is heavenly.

◆実はこれが中尊寺　In fact, this is Chūsonji Temple

中尊寺＝金色堂のイメージが強いですが、実はこれが「中尊寺」です！入母屋造りの堂々としたたたずまいとは各所のデザインはまさに日本！
The conception that Chūsonji Temple is Konjikidō Hall is quite strong, but in reality, this here is Chūsonji Temple.  The appearance of the stately Irimoya style roofs and the designs of every building are truly Japanese!

◆めめめ・・・峰薬師堂　My eye, my eye...Mineyakushi Hall

めめめ・・・の不思議な絵馬。ここ峰薬師堂は目に御利益があるとの事。お賽銭箱の前には可愛い猫の見張り番。
The mysterious small wooden plaques are for eyes. Mineyakushi Hall is a place where prayers for eye troubles are answered. A cute little cat watches over the offering box.

◆向こうに見えるのがあの金色堂　And over there you can see Konjikidō Hall

一見地味な建物は、大事な大事な金色堂を守るための物。光り輝く美しさは、是非本物でご覧ください。
What at a first glance appears to be a quite unspectacular building is in fact an enclosure whose purpose is to protect the very, very important Konjikidō Hall within.  To enjoy the glittering beauty of Konjikidō Hall please be sure to visit it in person.

◆なんと鍼灸所までありました　There’s even an acupuncture clinic here

この趣ある建物は何？と思ったら現役の鍼灸所との事。こんな素敵な環境での療法なら心にまで効き目がありそうです。
One might wonder, “what is this elegant building?” and find that it is an active acupuncture clinic. When receiving treatment in such a lovely environment as this, healing effects on even the soul seem possible.

◆空想の鐘の音に耳を澄ます　Listen for the sound of the bell of imagination

苔むした美しさの鐘楼は、13世紀の物。繰り返し鳴らされ中央がへこんでしまった鐘の音は、一体どんなものかしら？
This belltower beautifully covered in moss is from the thirteenth century. Just what kind of sound is produced by a bell whose repeated tolling has left its midsection dented?

◆レトロな感じの消防署　A retro style fire station

あれれ、何だか昔の日本の街角みたい。世界遺産を守るべく消防車もこんな風に待機しているのですね。
What’s this? It looks to be something resembling a street corner in Japan from olden times. It seems that a fire engine fit to protect the treasures of the world is standing by.

◆竹林の森に感動　Being moved by a forest of bamboo

能舞台に向かう途中で見つけた竹林は、杉並木とはまた違う風情の美しさ。ざわざわという音色もまた心地良い。
A bamboo forest can be found on the way towards a Noh stage, with a very different charming beauty than a row of Japanese cedars, and the rustling sound of the bamboo leaves is quite pleasant.

◆能舞台まであったのですね　So there was even a Noh stage here

平泉の文化の高さを改めて感じる能舞台。豊臣秀次と伊達政宗がここで能舞台を鑑賞した記録が残っているそうです。
At this Noh stage, the high quality of Hiraizumi culture can again be experienced. There are records remaining that Toyotomi Hidetsugu and Date Masamune enjoyed Noh plays here at this stage.

◆この丸い輪は産道です　This round loop is the birth canal

能舞台の隣の白山神社にある不思議な丸い輪は「茅の輪」と呼ばれ、産道を模した物。くぐる事で心の穢れを落とし、生まれ変わるそうです。
At Hakusan Shrine, lying next to the Noh stage, there is a mysterious round loop called Me no Wa (“Maiden Grass Loop”), an object mimicking the birth canal. By passing through the loop, it is said that impurities of the soul can be cleansed and one can be reborn.

◆これが平安時代・800年前のガーデンです　This is a garden from the Heian era earlier than 800 A.D.

現存する唯一の浄土庭園と言われる毛越寺の庭園。遠くの山々まで取り込むスケールの大きな景観に感激。
A garden of Mōtsuji Temple, it is said that it is the only existing Jōdo (“Pure Land”) garden today. The panorama that stretches out to many distant mountains is sure to leave an impression.

◆夏草や兵どもが夢のあと　Summer grass, the only traces of soldiers’ dreams

教科書で習った芭蕉の有名な句も、ここで読むとまた感慨深いものがありますね。この碑の書体は芭蕉自身の物との事。
When the famous poem of Bashō that all learn in their textbooks is read here, it indeed stirs up deep emotions. The inscriptions on the stela are written by Bashō himself.

◆この建物が本堂です　This building is the main temple hall

向こうに見える建物が毛越寺の本堂。今では新しい建物になっていますが、当時の色彩も緑との美しいコントラストだったのでしょうか…。
The building visible on the other side is the main hall of Mōtsuji Temple. The hall has now been rebuilt, and one might ponder whether or not the original coloration of the time was also at beautiful contrast with the green around it.

◆和の美しさ開山堂　Traditional Japanese beauty, Kaisan Hall

庭園の奥にある建物がこの開山堂。まわりを囲む自然と調和する様は、まさに日本の美そのものです。
The building towards the back of the garden is Kaisan Hall.  The way that it stands in harmony with the nature surrounding it is the very essence of the ideals of Japanese beauty.

◆いにしえを偲ばせる常行堂　Jōgyō Hall, evoking memories of the past

17世紀の再建とは言え、このたたずまい。当時の雰囲気が一番よく伝わります。しんとした静寂が心地良いですね。
Despite being built in the seventeenth century, it still retains this appearance. The atmosphere of that era is easily felt, and the silence and stillness is relaxing.

◆小腹が空いたらお餅でキマリ　When becoming a bit hungry, rice cakes are just the thing

大きな庭園をぐるりと周ったら小腹が空きました。入口近くの茶屋では美味しいお餅を頂きます。ずんだ、クルミ、ごま、あんこ…7種類の味が楽しめます。
After touring everything around the large garden, a slight hunger creeps in. At the teahouse near the entrance, rice cakes can be purchased. Seven different varieties, such as soybean paste, walnut, sesame seed, and red bean paste flavors can all be enjoyed.