Encounter Ennen at Motsu-ji, where Heian-period dances live on
Motsu-ji Ennen
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Several times a year
- Location
- Motsu-ji Temple, Jogyodo Hall
- Area
- Iwate Prefecture・Hiraizumi Town(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Motsu-ji’s Ennen is a traditional performing art centered on Heian-period dances passed down at Jogyodo at Motsu-ji. Dances such as Karabyōshi, , Wakajo, and Rōjo are performed, offering a glimpse into Hiraizumi’s history and culture.
About Motsu-ji Ennen
The Ennen dances of Motsu-ji are a traditional performing art that has been presented inside Jogyodo as an offering of entertainment to the deities following rites at Motsu-ji’s Matarajin Festival.
After prayers, dances such as Dengaku Odori, Michiyuki, Rōjo-mai, Wakajo-mai, and Kyōden-mai are performed.
A nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property preserving dances passed down since the Heian period, this event symbolizes the history and culture of Motsu-ji and Hiraizumi.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
The highlight is the Ennen dance, which preserves Heian-period dances in their traditional form.
A variety of dances, including Karabyōshi, Dengaku, Hanaori, Wakajo, and Rōjo, are performed, showcasing the diverse forms of classical performing arts.
Motsu-ji’s Ennen is considered to be highly significant in the history of performing arts because it has been passed down in a well-preserved form.
Encounter Ennen at Motsu-ji, where Heian-period dances live on
What to expect
At the Hatsuka Yomatsuri, the Ennen dances are performed at night, following the offering of food, the Jogyo Sammai service, and the goma fire ritual.
The dances include Karabyōshi, Dengaku, Hanaori, Wakajo, and Rōjo, offering a chance to enjoy traditional performing arts inside Jogyodo.
The program and times vary by performance date, so it is a good idea to check the day’s information before visiting.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Mōtsū-ji (58 Ōsawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi Town, Nishiiwai District, Iwate Prefecture).
- Train and bus
Mōtsū-ji is 0.7 km from Hiraizumi Station on the JR Tōhoku Main Line, a 7-minute walk or a 3-minute drive.
Information is also available on the Hiraizumi Loop Bus, Runrun.
- By car
It is about 10 minutes from the Hiraizumi-Maezawa IC on the Tōhoku Expressway, about 5 minutes from the Hiraizumi Smart IC, and about 15 minutes from the Ichinoseki IC.
- Parking
You can use the town-operated Mōtsū-ji parking lot.
The address is 61-2 Ōsawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi Town. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and parking for standard cars costs 300 yen.
Source: 拝観・交通 │ 毛越寺
Address 58 Osawa, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi Town, Nishiiwai District, Iwate Prefecture
Dates and season
In 2026, the Ennen dance was performed at the Jogyodo Hatsuka Yomatsuri on January 20.
According to Motsu-ji’s event schedule, Ennen dance performances are also planned for May 5, June 14, September 27, and November 3.
Performances are held on more than one day, and dates vary by event, so check the times for each day and look for updates about changes.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Iwate Prefecture / Hiraizumi Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
When visiting to watch the dances performed inside Jogyodo, please keep quiet to maintain a suitable viewing environment in the hall.
Photography inside the hall is prohibited during the Hatsuka Yomatsuri.
Event schedules may change, so check Motsu-ji’s latest announcements before your visit and allow plenty of time to arrive before each performance.
Nearby attractions
Motsu-ji is one of the hubs for visiting the World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi and the historic sites and attractions around Hiraizumi Town.
You can use the Hiraizumi Tourism Association’s audio guide pen to learn about the and surrounding area.
The audio guide pen is available to borrow and return at places such as the Motsu-ji Sanmon office and the tourist information center in front of JR Hiraizumi Station. The rental fee is 500 yen.
中尊寺讃衡蔵
中尊寺にある博物館
平泉
岩手県南西部にある古くからの地名
写真：_steffen / CC BY-SA 2.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Motsu-ji Ennen
After the Jogyo Sammai rites at Motsu-ji’s Matarajin Festival, Ennen has traditionally been performed inside Jogyodo as an offering of entertainment to mark the completion of the Shōshō rites.
The Hatsuka Yomatsuri is said to have begun about 850 years ago.
In 1977, Motsu-ji’s Ennen was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, preserving the old dance forms to this day.
Official information
Check Motsu-ji’s official website for the 2026 event schedule, visiting information, and transportation details.
Event schedules and performances may change, so please check the latest announcements before your visit.
Source: お知らせ │ 毛越寺
Motsu-ji Ennen at a Glance
Motsu-ji’s Ennen is a traditional performing art preserving Heian-period dances, performed as an offering of entertainment associated with the Matarajin Festival.
Dances such as Karabyōshi, Dengaku, Wakajo, and Rōjo are performed inside Jogyodo, and the art has been designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Several performance dates are listed for 2026, so check the time for your chosen date before visiting.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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