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World Heritage Byodoin Ho-o-do (Phoenix Hall)
Uji had been a place where nobility constructed their villas since the early Heian priod. Byodoin Temple was built in 1953 by Fujiwara no Michinaga’s son Yorimichi on the site of Genji’s villa. At first it was called Amidado. After that, it came to be called Phoenix Hall because of the appearance of the phoenix on the roof and the appearance of the phoenix with its wings spread. At the time of its construction, natural disasters and man-made disasters continued, people wholeheartedly wished for the Land of Happiness, and it’s said that the temple was built with Amidanyorai as its principal image.
It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1994.Byodoin Temple is a magnificent temple, displayed in the Japanese 10-yen coin.
The graceful Amidanyorai statue of Phoenis Hall is the only work that has been confirmed to belong to Jocho, a sculptor of Buddhist statues, in the history of Japanese sculpture. On the roof, the pair of second-generation phoenixes shine golden. The first phoenix, a national treasure, can be seen at Hoshokan Museum. The phoenix in the museum is depicted on the current 10,000 yen note.
From Paradise Jodo Garden, a Pure Land style Garden, around Ajino-ike Pond, you will be able to see the special Byodoin Temple as the seasons change.
Highlights in Byodoin
There are other buildings to see such as Saisho-in Temple and Fudo-do Hall worshiped Fudo-myoo, one of the five Wisdom Kings.
Byodoin Temple has one of the three famous bells in Japan and it is the national treasure. This image is imitation. You can see the real bell at Hoshokan Museum. It’s the beautiful bell carved with phoenix and Tenjin.
Around Byodoin Temple
Uji is a calm place where the sky looks wide and time passes gently. In addition to having world heritage sites such as Byodoin Temple and Ujigami Shrine, it is famous for producing Uji tea. And Uji is the setting for the Tale of Genji, the oldest feature-length romance novel in the world. Uji is a popular tourist destination with a beautiful view.
You can enjoy the historical city views of Uji on the Uji River boat.
Access
It is a 15-minute walk from JR Uji Station and a 10-minute walk from Keihan Uji Line Uji Station.
Byodoin Temple doesn’t have car parking. There are several car parking near the temple.
Click here for shops around Byodo-in Temple.
Click here for information of Ujigami-jinja Shrine.
