Hiraizumi, Japan - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Hiraizumi, Japan

Weather: Sunny skies, 53/79F.

Route: From Nikko 344 km NNE.

Population: 7,408

Significance: In the 11th and 12th centuries this city was the capital of northern Japan and the rival of Kyoto. Pure Land Buddhism, a mixture of Shintoism and Buddhism, was the major religion of that time. In the 12th century the city was destroyed and never again attained its foothold of power.

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Images:

Gardens with streams were a part of the Pure Land Buddhism movement (from whc.unesco.org)

Konjikido Golden Hall (from whc.unesco.org)