Moutsuji, June 26th, 2011 – Hiraizumi in Iwate, Japan was added to the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Cultural sites on Saturday June 24th, 2011. Hiraizumi’s temples and artifacts date back to the 12th century, and it now becomes Japan’s 12th World Heritage cultural site. Hiraizumi is located in Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region which was badly hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11th 2011. Hiraizumi’s historical sites suffered no significant damage and it is hoped that the new designation will boost the region and symbolize Japan’s recovery.