Byodoin

4.5

A Buddhist temple located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture that was founded in 1052 when Fujiwara no Michinaga, the father of Fujiwara no Yorimichi, turned a villa he had inherited into a temple. Due to the pessimism of the time which believed the world was coming to an end, Pure Land Buddhism grew in popularity, and the temple’s hall was designed to recreate the Western Paradise, a key aspect of the faith. The luxurious hall enshrines a seated figure of Amitabha created by the Buddhist sculptor Jocho. Most of the original temple excluding the main hall, Kannon hall, and bell tower were destroyed by fire. In the Byodoin Museum Hoshokan, however, visitors can view a Chinese Phoenix depicted on the ceiling and temple bell (National Treasures) as well as 26 of the 52 floating bodhisattva figures suspended from the ceiling of the main hall.

Spot details

Address: Kyoto Ujishi Uji Renge 116 Map
Area: Around Uji Area
Phone: 0774212861
Hours: [Garden] 8:30-17:30 (Information desk closed 17:15)
[Museum Hoshokan] 9:00-17:00 (Information desk closed 16:45)
[Visit inside Phoenix Hall] 9:30-16:10 (Reception starts at 9:00, 50 people once every 20 minutes from 9:30)
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Admission fee(Garden Byodo-in Museum Hoshokan)]Adults600yen, junior and senior high school students400yen, Elementary school students300yen
Parking Lot: Not available
※Fee parking available nearby
Credit Card: Not available
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Available (Kyoto Free Wi-Fi, etc.)
English Menu: Available
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day: Yes
Average budget: [Lunch] 1-1,000yen
Estimated stay time: 60-120 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Available (rental available)
Infant friendly: Available
Pet friendly: Available (Excluding Museum Hoshokan, Phoenix Hall, Teahouse Touka)

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

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Itineraries about this spot

Review

Nice out of the way stop

Reviewed : 2023.04.21

I visited Byodoin Jinja early April 2023. While the cherry blossoms had bloomed early here in UJi a fair amount were still at close to full bloom. In addition there was lovely blooming lavender on...
Beautiful architecture at Byodoin, Kyoto

Reviewed : 2023.03.24

Beautiful architecture and cultural heritage. Logistics for visitors are well organized. It takes around 25 minutes by car from downtown Kyoto to go there. Really worth visiting.
Stunning Phoenix temple

Reviewed : 2022.12.31

The magnificently proportioned Phoenix temple is a beautiful spot for quiet reflection and observing nature - close to both JR and Kintetsu train stations.