Byodoin Temple (平等院)

Byodoin Temple in Uji represents the beauty of Heian Period.

It is a Buddhist temple located in Uji City, south of Kyoto City. It is one of the best preserved national treasures in Japan and a World Heritage Site. (Official WEB site)

Byodoin was built in the south of Heian-kyo during the mid-Heian period. The present site of Byodoin was the location of Uji-den, a villa of Fujiwara no Yorimichi’s father, Michinaga. Yorimichi transformed the villa into a temple, establishing the foundation of Byodoin in 1052.

Byodoin’s greatest attraction is the main hall, known as the Phoenix Hall. Popular name of the main hall is “Ho-o-do” (Phoenix Hall) since the Edo period (1603-1867), because it has wing like corridors on both sides of the central hall and looks like a phoenix spreading its wings. On the back side of the main hall, there is another building called the “tail hall”.

The Phoenix Hall’s architectural style imitates the palace architecture of the Tang Dynasty in China. It’s characterisity is its graceful and unique appearance. In particular, the interior decoration and carvings, as well as the gold-leafed wall paintings of phoenixes, convey the gorgeous and gorgeous beauty of the time.

Byodoin Amida Nyorai stature

On a fine day, the main statue of Amida Nyorai (National treasure) shows its face through the front window. This “Seated Amida Nyorai” statue is the only existing example of “Jocho”, a representative Buddhist sculptor of the Heian period. He created the seated statue of Amida Nyorai around 1053, the Amida Hall (Phoenix Hall) completed in that year.

Hoshokan Museum

Hoshokan is a museum located on the grounds of Byodoin Temple. There are many important exhibits here, but the must-see items are the temple bell and the statue of Unchu Kuyo Bosatsu, both of which are national treasures.

The temple bell is one of the most beautiful bells in Japan, with its entire surface decorated with delicate reliefs of lions and dancing heavenly figures.

The highlight of the Unchu Kuyo Bosatsu statues is that each has a different expression and is in a different pose, such as playing a musical instrument, dancing, or holding a jointed palm, while riding on a cloud. The Hoshokan exhibits 26 of the 52 remaining statues.

Nearby places

Byodoin Omotesando is the road from Uji Station to Byodoin Temple. Uji is historically and still is famous for its tea. Both sides of the street are lined with stores selling tea and tea-based sweets. If you like matcha in particular, you can take your time and enjoy it.

Byodoin Omotesando Street

Another World Heritage site, Ujikami Jinja Shrine was founded in the late Heian period. This shrine with about 1,000 years of history boasts the oldest existing main hall (honden) in Japanese shrine architecture.

Ujikami Jinja Shrine

Koshoji Temple belongs to the Sodo School of Zen Buddhism. This temple is a precious place where one can experience Japanese Zen culture, architecture, garden art, and history all at once.

Koshoji Temple in Uji