Spring is coming!　春を楽しみに

寒い日々が続きながらも、段々と雪が溶けだして気温も上がりつつある今の時期の平泉。みなさん、もうすぐくる春の季節の予定は立てていますでしょうか？今のうちに、暖かい春の平泉の楽しみをちょっと考えてみてはいかがですか。

While the chilly weather may still be sticking around for a little longer, spring is on the way in Hiraizumi as the temperature creeps up bit by bit and the snowbanks start to recede day by day. Has anyone made plans for the warmer weather? Now’s the time to look ahead! How about a few ideas of things to come in the next few months?

毛越寺の浄土庭園の春風景
Spring in the garden at Mōtsū-ji Temple

まず、気候が暖かくなると、屋外を楽しむのには、よい時期になります。町内の観光先は大体自転車でのアクセスがとても良くて、駅前ではレンタサイクルも借りられるので、自転車で巡るがはとても快適です。ほとんどの観光スポットはわずかな距離ですが、長くても5キロほどの距離で、そこまでの里山はむしろ景色がよく、サイクリング自体も楽しむことができます。

平泉の自然を楽しむには、ウォーキングトレイルもあります。中尊寺と毛越寺の裏山を巡って繋ぐコースは、冬の間、降り積もった雪で通れませんが、春になると新緑であふれるウォーキングトレイルは、平泉の中で大自然を感じられる機会となります。

そして日本の春といえば、桜のことを思い浮かべると思いますが、平泉でも桜が存分に楽しめます。平泉の街中や中尊寺のふもとを通る県道３００号はその両側に桜の木が多く並んでいて、４月後半にはその木々の桜が咲き誇っている様子は見逃せません。ドライブでも街歩きでも、お越しの際は是非ご覧ください。

First of all, with the weather starting to improve, and the sidewalks cleared of snow buildup, it gets to be an excellent time to enjoy the outdoors! Most of Hiraizumi’s local attractions are reachable by bike, and with rentals available right outside the train station, it’s easy to get riding and enjoy the warm sun and see the fresh greenery. The closer attractions are only a 10-15 minute ride, but you can also enjoy the scenic 40 minute ride through the countryside to Takkoku-no-Iwaya Temple, now that the road is clear of snow.

The next thing that comes to mind is the Hiraizumi Walking Trail, the course that winds around the back of the mountainside between Chuson-ji and Motsu-ji Temples. The trail is snowed in during the winter, but when spring rolls around, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the mellow weather to enjoy a brief hike.

Spring is also the time to enjoy the sakura (or Japanese cherry tree) blossoms, which are typically at their best during the last few weeks of April. The sakura is Hiraizumi’s official town tree, and you can spot the lovely blossoms everywhere you look while in season, making it all the better that you can take your time on foot or on bike. Be sure to try the main road towards Chūson-ji, which is lined on both sides with sakura trees, making for an excellent view.

両側に並んだ盛んで咲いている大通りの桜
The abundantly blooming sakura blossoms lined along the main road

そして、５月１日～５日にかけて、春の藤原まつりが開かれます。様々な伝統芸能の舞いを町内各地で見られる他、「源義経公　東下り行列」も行われます。大人気のこの行列は、源義経が平泉にたどり着いた時の様子が再現され、毎年多くの観光客や町民が観覧に訪れます。

And of course, during May 1st-5th every year, the Spring Fujiwara Festival is held. The festival includes several events, such as traditional performing art exhibitions, but the most popular is the Yoshitsune’s Eastern Flight parade, a re-enactment depicting popular historical figure Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s arrival in Hiraizumi.