Iwate travel guide
For Hiraizumi (平泉) in Iwate, the questions to settle are how much time to give it and whether Geibikei Gorge fits in the same day. Both answers depend on train times out of Ichinoseki and on the temples' hours.
The Hiraizumi guide covers Chusonji and Motsuji, their hours and fees, the Runrun loop bus, and how to plan the visit from Sendai. If you want to add the river, Hiraizumi and Geibikei Gorge without a car lays out an order that starts with the morning boat at Geibikei and moves on to the temples after lunch, with the Ofunato Line connections and the trains back.
Things to do
Hiraizumi Guide: Chusonji, Motsuji and How Long to Stay
Is Hiraizumi worth a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen? Chusonji and Motsuji hours and fees, the Runrun loop bus, and planning a half or full day from Sendai.
Getting around
Hiraizumi and Geibikei Gorge in One Day Without a Car
Yes, by train from Ichinoseki: Geibikei's 8:30 boat first, Hiraizumi's temples after lunch. Ofunato Line times, boat hours by season and the trains back.
