Byōdō-in, Uji

Name: Byōdō-in
Address: 116 Uji Renge, Uji, 611-0021, Japan
Telephone: +81 774-21-2861

#1 among attractions in Uji

Top attraction, Temple, Historical place, Sacred and religious sites, More...

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Facts and practical information

Byōdō-in Temple is a serene historical gem nestled in the city of Uji, Japan. This exquisite example of Buddhist Pure Land (Jodo) architecture was originally built in 998 as a countryside retreat for a powerful politician, but it was converted into a temple by his son in 1052. The temple's most iconic feature is the Phoenix Hall or Amida-do, which was constructed in 1053 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Phoenix Hall, with its elegant, curved rooflines that resemble a phoenix in flight, is the heart of Byōdō-in. It houses a majestic statue of the Amida Buddha, surrounded by a serene pond that mirrors the building's graceful design. The hall's construction was meant to represent the Buddhist Pure Land, a place of beauty and tranquility.

Visitors to Byōdō-in can explore the temple's grounds, which include meticulously maintained gardens that provide a peaceful backdrop to the historical structures. The temple also features a museum, the Byōdō-in Museum Hoshokan, which showcases religious artifacts and treasures, including several designated as National Treasures of Japan.

Local name: 平等院 Completed: 1052 (972 years ago)Unesco: from 1994Area: 0.79 mi²Coordinates: 34°53'21"N, 135°48'25"E

Address

116 Uji RengeUji 611-0021 Japan

Contact

+81 774-21-2861

Website

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Day trips

Byōdō-in – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Ujigami Shrine, The Tale of Genji Museum, Uji Shrine, Kōshō-ji.

~1550 ftNE
Sacred and religious sites, Temple,
Ujigami Shrine, Uji
8 min walk • The Ujigami Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the city of Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The shrine was built as a guardian shrine for the nearby Byōdō-in, and is adjacent to the Uji Shrine.
~1970 ftNE
Specialty museum, Museum
The Tale of Genji Museum, Uji
10 min walk • The Tale of Genji Museum is in Uji, Kyoto, Japan. It displays the world of the early 11th century Japanese classic novel The Tale of Genji with projected images, models, and exhibitions.
~1050 ftNE
Sacred and religious sites, Temple
Uji Shrine, Uji
6 min walk • Uji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It is adjacent to the Ujigami Shrine.
~1820 ftE
Temple, Sacred and religious sites, Buddhist temple
Kōshō-ji, Uji
9 min walk • Kōshō-ji is a Sōtō Zen in temple in Japan. It bears an abbreviated form of the name of the temple established by Eihei Dōgen in Kyoto, Kōshōhōrin-ji, but it was established four centuries after that temple was destroyed, and in a different location.
1.3 miSE
Park, Reservoir, Dam
Amagase Dam, Uji
34 min walk • The Amagase Dam is an arch dam on the Uji River just upstream from Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The main purpose of the dam is flood control but it supports a hydroelectric power station and creates the lower reservoir for the Kisenyama Pumped Storage Plant.
~220 ftS
Museum
Hōshōkan, Uji
2 min walk • Byodoin Hoshokan is a history museum located on the grounds of Byodoin Temple in Uji, Kyoto. It is said to be the "first religiously-registered museum" in Japan.
~1250 ftE
Temple
Hui xin yuan, Uji
7 min walk • Keishin-in Temple is a temple of the Chizan School of Shingon Buddhism located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. It is located upstream of the Uji Bridge over the Uji River.
0.9 miS
Sacred and religious sites
Hakusan Jinja Shrine, Uji
24 min walk • Hakusan Shrine is located on Mt. The shrine was originally built in 1146 as a Shinto shrine for Konjiki-in Temple, to which the Hakusan God of Kaga was invoked. Konjiki-in Temple burned down and was rebuilt, but Hakusan Shrine remained.
0.5 miE
Memorial
Tu dao zhi lang huang zi zhi mu, Uji
14 min walk • The Ancient Japanese Imperial Family, as described in the Chronicles of Japan and other sources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Byōdō-in open?

Byōdō-in is open:

Monday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Byōdō-in?

Nearby attractions include Hōshōkan, Uji (2 min walk), Uji Shrine, Uji (6 min walk), Hui xin yuan, Uji (7 min walk), Ujigami Shrine, Uji (8 min walk).

How to get to Byōdō-in by public transport?

The nearest stations to Byōdō-in:

Bus

宇治橋西詰 • Lines: 180, 21, 240, 240A, 250, 250A, 27, 40A, 44 (7 min walk)
京阪宇治駅 • Lines: 180, 21, 240, 240A, 250, 250A, 27, 40A, 44 (9 min walk)

Train

Uji (10 min walk)
宇治 (10 min walk)