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Phoenix Hall of Byodo-in reflected in its pond, with autumn trees around it
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Kyoto · temple

Byodo-in Temple

平等院

The World Heritage temple in Uji whose Phoenix Hall is on the 10-yen coin: a Heian-era hall mirrored in a pond, the Pure Land paradise as nobles imagined it.

Red wooden bell tower with its large bronze bell at Byodo-in
Photo: Vitalie Ciubotaru (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A paradise born from a noble's villa

Byodo-in is a Buddhist temple in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It began life as a villa belonging to the aristocracy; in 1052 Fujiwara no Yorimichi turned it into a temple, and the following year, 1053, the hall now known as the Phoenix Hall (Hoo-do) was built.

The temple is a visible, physical picture of the world of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism, whose followers believe in the Pure Land paradise where Amida Buddha (Amida Nyorai) dwells. The buildings, the Buddha statues and the garden work together to carry that vision down to the present day.

The Phoenix Hall and Amida Buddha

The Phoenix Hall is famous for looking like a hoo, the legendary Chinese phoenix, with its wings spread wide. It is also the building pictured on Japan's 10-yen coin.

Inside sits a seated statue of Amida Buddha carved by Jocho, a Buddhist sculptor of the Heian period, surrounded by 52 bodhisattvas riding on clouds, known as the Unchu Kuyo Bosatsu.

The Hoshokan Museum and the garden

The Hoshokan Museum in the temple grounds opened in 2001. It holds and displays the temple's National Treasure bonsho (temple bell), 26 of the cloud-riding bodhisattva statues and a pair of phoenixes. So as not to spoil the view of the garden, most of the building is underground. Allow about an hour to walk round the garden and the museum.

There is no separate garden-only fee: one admission ticket covers both the garden and the Hoshokan. Viewing the inside of the Phoenix Hall is booked at a separate desk.

Getting there

It is about a 10-minute walk from either Uji Station on the JR Nara Line or Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line. From Kyoto Station, take the JR Nara Line to Uji.

Opening hours and fees can change, so check the official website before you go.

Tips

  • Entry to the inside of the Phoenix Hall is limited in numbers and sold first come, first served at the temple on the day. From 16 October 2026 each group drops from 50 to 35 people, so expect longer waits in the busy spring and autumn seasons. Get your Phoenix Hall ticket first, then spend the wait exploring the garden and the Hoshokan (you cannot re-enter once your tour of the interior is over).
  • There will be no special night-time illuminated opening in autumn 2026, and no date has been set for it to return.
  • The Kannon-do hall has been under conservation repair since 2024, and part of the area around it is fenced off. You may notice some noise or smells from the work.

Sources

Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

Keep exploring

Nearby places

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