Byōdo-in Temple

I visited this place a few days ago during my stay in Kyoto, and it was absolutely beautiful even in winter. Every corner was full of charming details that made me stop and admire it. They also have a museum inside but photos aren’t allowed, which honestly makes the experience feel more special but you can pick up some lovely souvenirs at the end to bring the memories home with you 🤗. I would happily come back here again, especially for the incredible matcha in Uji. It’s the kind of place that stays in your mind and makes you want to return.

Byodoin Temple is truly breathtaking and is my favorite temple in Japan. I visited during the autumn night illumination season, and the atmosphere was incredibly calm and peaceful. The temple manages visitor flow very well — entry requires advance reservations and visitors are admitted in time slots. This arrangement works wonderfully. Unlike other temples that feel overcrowded, Byodoin allows you to experience its beauty in a much more serene and relaxed way. The reflection on the water was so beautiful that it felt like another world. We spent about 90 minutes slowly walking through the entire route. It was truly a worthwhile and unforgettable experience!

A stunning and one of the famous Buddhist temple in Uji, Kyoto. famous for its iconic Phoenix Hall featuring golden phoenixes and housing Amida Buddha, symbolizing the Buddhist Pure Land, with its architecture and beautiful garden designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can find also on the 10-yen japanese coin. A breathtaking view of temple in the middle of pond

One of the most famous temple in Uji area the Byodoin temple. The Phoenix Hall looks majestic especially with the reflections on the pond. If you came during momiji season the view would be even great with colorful leaves. On the day I visited it is a little bit gloomy. Ticket can be bought outside either from the manned counter or the kiosk machine.

The most peaceful calm please in uji. The stunning photographs that can be taken of the central pavilion is awesome. The light, the skies, the greenery.The lake, the water and the stunning structure.All create a perfect harmony. The museum is worth visiting.It's very beautiful, it's a small one, but still beautiful. The precincts of the place are very calm and peaceful. You can just sit and spend time over there for hours in deep reflection.

This temple is the one on the 10 cent of the Japanese Yen coin. I really wanted to see it. So when my family decided to go to Uji in Kyoto for matcha, I made sure to visit the Byodo-in Temple. It is really beautiful. And as you go around the structure. The path will take you inside the Byodo-in Museum. Photography inside is not allowed so I don't have photos to show here. But it is a sight to see. This site is not that big and there are benches near the wisteria tree to sit and rest while you enjoy the view. Do try and visit.

The quiet and peaceful place, well, maybe because it was raining, that is depicted on the 10 yen coin. Great museum to explore. Very scenic and in tone with the whole tone of Uji. It's like the "capital of Uji".

A must see temple in Uji! It really looks beautiful and serene. Went here early December and some areas are still covered with autumn colors. There is a museum inside as well and very informative. Highly recommended if visiting Uji!

Yelp Review 2025 #25: Byodoin Temple in Uji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built in 998 and completed in 1052 (Heian period) as a villa for a high-ranking courtier but when he passed away, his widow sold the villa to the Fujiwara clan. It was turned into a Buddhist temple. The temple attracted many practitioners who also believed in the Buddhist Pure Land. The Phoenix Hall aka Amida-do Hall was built in 1053 and has two phoenixes on top hence the name. It is the main attraction. It is surrounded by green water that resembles matcha but it reflects Phoenix Hall beautifully. The architecture is so magnificent that it's on the back of the 10Yen coin. The ticket prices are from 200yen for children to 700yen for adults. It is an extra 300yen to visit the Phoenix Hall. Tickets can only be bought right outside the temple and they only take cash. They open at 8:30am until 5:30pm. I got here at 8:20am and there was already a line with a hundred people. There are plenty of trees including maple which is nice during the fall.

This is one of the most underrated temples in the area even though it's a world heritage site. The grounds have two entrances. You can buy an additional ticket once inside to visit the main hall on the center island (the Phoenix hall). If you don't buy that extra ticket you'll still get to see everything else on the grounds, including a phenomenal room showing the flying Buddhas on clouds. It's absolutely worth a visit, but try visiting during fall colors for full effect.

A beautiful temple with a nice reflection from the lake. Bathrooms are near the entrance. There is also a seating area near by but when the sun is out there is very little shade. There's also a small museum included with admission. If you want a tour of the main temple it's an extra fee.

Beautiful and quiet place. Got to see the museum and learned about the history of the temple that got burn a long time ago. And only the famous bell and some Buddha statues left.. Those statues and the bell are so beautiful handmade from ancient!!! These temple image was on the back of 10 yen coin. I tried to take a pic of the coin & the temple together but it was too bright so my pic didn't come out that great. You guys should try to get a good pic if you are here

If you find this temple look familiar, you've been living in Japan long. This temple is what's engraved on 10 yen coin. Unlike to other popular attractions in Kyoto, you have to go south bound from JR Kyoto(most of them are located north of JR Kyoto). It's located in rather rural area. The compound is big but not vast. If you have an hour, you can get to see enough. There's a museum under the small hill which has many historical artifacts from this temple. The garden is very well maintain and look quite majestic w/ reflection of the building. Admission is 600 yen. After you are done w/ this place, get a soft serve maccha ice cream nearby. Those are gorgeous too. ;-)

平等院 is a treasure of Japan, which is a beautiful, breath-taking temple(is right ?). It is also a attraction in 宇治, even a landmark in Japan. If you traveling to Kyoto, don't forget taking some time for visiting平等院. It worth it !!

After knowing that this building is actually the one carved on the back of the 10 yen coin, I just have to visit this place. Also Uji is known for it's amazing green tea. Entrance is 600 yen which includes the a visit to the Museum but fee to the main hall, Phoenix Hall is separate (300 yen). We can just in a good time, the Sakura's were in bloom and the visitors where still having lunch so less crowd. The grounds were well maintained and is a decent size. Saw the actual building itself and it was actually pretty normal. It has a great historical significance so for history buff, I highly recommend this place.

I wanted to come here for the longest time and I finally did. In my mind i was picturing it to be a bit larger but it was still a beautiful spot. It 's a popular tourist area so its best to go early. If you pay a little extra you can go into the temple itself to admire the large and beautiful Amida statue inside. The tour is conducted in Japanese but they have English explanations written by the entrance.

Amazing place in uji. Definitely should not miss. The Phoenix tour is completely in Japanese however, if you do not speak any Japanese would not suggest doing it. You do get a good 15 to half an hour look at the internal structure, as well as the Buddha, and the Reconstruction effort. The whole ground takes about two three hours to cover. Lots of photo opportunities.

I have a funny episode about here. When my husband and I took a taxi bound for Chusonji Konjikido in Iwate prefecture, north eastern part of Japan, I unintentionally asked the taxi driver, "To Byodouin Hououdou". After I said it, I burst into laughter and blushed!! How much do we have to pay? By the way, if you are living in Japan, you may see this magnificent building almost every day. Please look at 10 yen coin, on which the elegant and noble building is carved on the round copper plate. It was established almost 1000 years ago as a former villa of Michinaga Fujiwara who had power to rule over Japan in the Heian era. Later it was transformed into a Buddhist temple. I've never seen such a beautiful temple as this. The main hall is located on the beautiful pond as if it were the land of Perfect Bliss. I stood still watching its beautiful sight reflected in the pond with much impression. Buddhists' paradise was vividly and colorfully drawn on the ceiling and walls in the main hall before, but it almost faded now. I want to look at it at that time. I would like to know whether the Buddhists' paradise is such a splendid place. If you come here, you should see a pair of bronze image of Chinese phoenixes having a long tail or a beautiful bell by all means. You will breathe a sigh of the admiration in these splendors.

Close to the train station. Spacious grounds. I like it. Everybody annoyed at the Starbucks in the prime location.