Mōtsū-ji in Japanese — 毛越寺
Mōtsū-ji is a Buddhist temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. Written in Japanese it is 毛越寺, read もうつうじ. Below is everything you need to get a taxi there: the characters to show, the reading, and a card you can print or keep on your phone.
Kanji
毛越寺
| Kana | もうつうじ |
|---|---|
| Romaji | Mōtsūji |
| English | Mōtsū-ji |
| Category | Buddhist temples |
| Location | Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture 平泉町 |
How to ask for it in a taxi
- Show the driver: 毛越寺
- Then point and say: ここまでお願いします (koko made onegai shimasu) — "please take me here".
- If asked which area: 平泉町, 岩手県.
- On arrival: 領収書をください (ryōshūsho o kudasai) — "please give me a receipt".
Temple names are read in ways that surprise even Japanese speakers, and the same characters can be read two different ways in two different cities. Handing over the kanji removes the guesswork; the reading on this page is the local one.
Nearby places of the same kind
- 中尊寺 — Chūson-ji, Hiraizumi
- 瑞巌寺 — Zuigan-ji Temple, Matsushima
- 立石寺 — Yama-dera Temple, Yamagata
- 輪王寺 — Rinnō-ji Temple, Nikkō-shi
- 西明寺 — Saimyō-ji Temple, Mashiko
Frequently asked questions
How do you read 毛越寺?
毛越寺 is read もうつうじ, romanised Mōtsūji. English-language sources usually write it Mōtsū-ji. The kanji is what a taxi driver reads; the reading is only there so you know what you are handing over.
How do I show Mōtsū-ji to a taxi driver in Japan?
Do not try to pronounce it. Show the driver the Japanese characters 毛越寺 together with the sentence ここまでお願いします ("please take me here"). Use the button on this page to build a card with both, then save it to your phone or print it — it works with no mobile signal.
Do I also need the address for Mōtsū-ji?
For a well-known Buddhist temple the name is usually enough, but adding 住所 (the address) removes all doubt, especially where several places share a name. This Buddhist temple is in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture; open the map link on this page to copy the exact address before you travel.