About
Byodo-in is a Buddhist temple in Uji, a town in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Its address is 116 Uji Renge, Uji, Kyoto 611-0021. Visitors may also know it as the Phoenix Hall, the name of the building that gives the temple its best-known image: the hall appears on the Japanese 10 yen coin.
What to see
The Phoenix Hall is the centre of the visit. Its elegant form, reflected in the water of the surrounding pond, is the view most people come to see. The temple is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, which places it among cultural landmarks chosen for their outstanding value to the world.
Planning a visit
- Location: Uji, in Kyoto Prefecture, a short way from the city of Kyoto.
- Kind of visit: a calm temple visit, suited to those interested in Japanese Buddhist architecture and history.
- Contact: +81-774-21-2861, if you need to check details before you go.
Uji itself is known as a tea-growing area, so a stop here pairs naturally with time spent exploring the town and its surroundings. The temple suits a relaxed half-day or longer, depending on how much time you wish to spend walking the grounds and looking at the hall from different angles.