Byodoin

An imperial authority in the Heian Period, Fujiwara Michinaga used this place as a vacation home. His son Yorimichi inherited, converted and opened it as a temple in 1052. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The remodeling in 2014 brought it back closer to its original state. The main Amida Buddha statue in Amida Hall is worth a look. You will be amazed by the symmetrical beauty of the building. At the time of construction, the idea of being saved into heaven was popular and the building reflects the image of a heavenly palace. The front looks like a bird stretching wings and a pair of phoenixes is on the roof, thus, called Phoenix Hall since the early Edo Period. This is a national treasure.

Hoshokan Museum displays the temple bell, phoenix, Praying Bodhisattva (Buddhist saints) on Clouds, and numerous other treasures. The latest digital technology lets you see the recreation of the colorful Phoenix Hall interior.　

On the temple grounds, a Japanese tea shop, Tea Room Toka, offers green tea and sweets. Byodoin is located in Uji City, famous for its tea, and the shop uses local tea leaves for Byodoin’s limited original blend. Have a sip of one-of-a-kind tea in this memorable place.

On the premises, cherry blossoms, fall foliage, and other natural beauty surround you. From late April to early May, almost 10,000 wisteria will bloom in purple, attracting many visitors every year.