Uji · South Kyoto Pref.No.192★★★Open in map →
Byodo-in
— the Heian temple of the Phoenix Hall
A UNESCO World Heritage temple in Uji, about 17 minutes south of Kyoto Station by JR. The National Treasure Phoenix Hall — the image on Japan's 10-yen coin — sits on a small island in a pond, with its reflection doubling the view.
Byodo-in sits on the west bank of the Uji River, its pond forming a mirror for the Phoenix Hall (Hoodo) that has been the centrepiece of the complex since 1053. The hall was built to evoke the Pure Land paradise described in Buddhist scripture — a palace afloat on a lotus pond, with the Buddha awaiting inside. What makes the building remarkable is its survival: while much of the surrounding complex was lost to fire, the Phoenix Hall has stood essentially unchanged for almost a thousand years. The original gilded Amida Buddha inside was carved by the sculptor Jocho, considered the founding master of Japanese Buddhist sculpture. Two bronze phoenix figures crown the hall's roof; replicas stand at the ends of the hall's wing corridors, while the originals are preserved in the on-site Hoshokan museum.
Background & history
The estate was converted into a temple in 1052 by Fujiwara no Yorimichi, a powerful court noble who had inherited the property from his father, Fujiwara no Michinaga. The Phoenix Hall was completed the following year, 1053. The complex was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 as part of the 'Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto' group. The 10-yen bronze coin, issued since 1959, bears the image of the Phoenix Hall on its obverse.
What to look for — in walking order
- The pond and hall approach
- the path from the main gate circles the pond — the reflection of the Phoenix Hall in the still water is the signature view
- Phoenix Hall (Hoodo)
- the 1053 structure on the small island; interior visits are on a timed-entry system with a separate ticket, capacity 50 per slot
- Amida Nyorai statue
- the gilded seated Amida Buddha inside the hall, carved by sculptor Jocho around 1053 — a National Treasure of Japan
- Hoshokan museum
- the on-site museum housing the original bronze phoenix sculptures from the roof, plus painted relief panels from inside the hall
How to enjoy it
Buy the Phoenix Hall interior ticket first, at the separate interior-viewing booth near the entrance — capacity is 50 people per time slot and slots sell out by mid-morning on busy days. While waiting for your slot, walk the pond path to take in the reflection view. Uji is also famous for its matcha tea; the approach street to the temple has several tea shops where you can sit down for a bowl.
How to actually get there
- Kyoto Station → Uji Station (JR Nara Line Miyakoji Rapid, ~17 min, direct).
- Walk south ~10 min on the main street to the Byodo-in main gate.
- At the entrance, buy the Phoenix Hall interior ticket first (limited slots); then walk the pond path.
- JR Nara Line to Uji Station
- From Kyoto Station, take the JR Nara Line (Miyakoji Rapid or local) to Uji Station — about 17 minutes on the Miyakoji Rapid (no transfer, frequent service) or about 25 minutes on a local train. From Uji Station, walk about 10 minutes south along the main street toward the Uji River to reach the temple gate.
- Return from Uji Station (JR) or Uji Station (Keihan)
- JR Uji Station (same station) returns directly to Kyoto Station. Alternatively, Keihan Uji Station (a different station, about 5 minutes east on foot from JR Uji) connects to Osaka (Yodoyabashi) via the Keihan Uji Line — useful if heading to Osaka after the visit. Trains on both lines run frequently.
Before you go
- Cash
- General admission to the Byodo-in garden: 700 yen for adults. Interior visit of the Phoenix Hall: an additional 300 yen, with timed-entry slots of up to 50 people — buy at the on-site booth. The Hoshokan museum is included in general admission. IC cards are accepted for train fares; admission is cash or credit card.
- Closing days
- The temple is closed on a small number of days in mid-December and during special events. The Phoenix Hall interior closes slightly earlier than general admission. On weekends and public holidays in autumn (October–November), queues for interior tickets can be long — aim for weekdays or early opening.
- Another way
- Keihan Uji Line to Keihan Uji Station is a convenient option from Osaka or from Fushimi — about 5 minutes' walk east from the temple, slightly further than JR but serves more of central Osaka directly.
- After you get off
- From JR Uji Station, walk south about 10 minutes on the main street toward the river. The temple main gate is signposted.