Byodo-in: The Phoenix Hall on Japan's 10 Yen Coin
How to visit Byodo-in in Uji: the Phoenix Hall, its museum, the best time of day and tasting matcha in Japan's green tea town.
Quick answer
- What it is: a Buddhist temple in Uji, south of Kyoto, built in the 11th century.
- Famous for: the Phoenix Hall, pictured on Japan's 10 yen coin.
- Status: part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours, or half a day with Uji's tea shops.
- Best time: early morning, when the hall reflects in calm water.
Byodo-in's Phoenix Hall spreads its wings over a still pond, its red pillars and golden phoenixes reflected in the water. It has survived for nearly a thousand years, and every Japanese person carries a picture of it in their pocket on the 10 yen coin.
Why Byodo-in is a wonder
Byodo-in began as a villa of the powerful Fujiwara family and became a temple in 1052. The Phoenix Hall was completed the next year, designed to recreate the Pure Land paradise of Amida Buddha on earth.
The hall is one of the few original wooden buildings left from the Heian period, the golden age of Japanese court culture.
Inside the Phoenix Hall
A gilded statue of Amida Buddha sits inside, surrounded by 52 small wooden figures of bodhisattvas playing music on clouds. Short guided visits inside the hall run for an extra fee.
The modern Hoshokan Museum, built partly underground, displays the original bronze phoenixes and many of the cloud figures up close.
What to see
| Spot | What you see | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Hall | The famous hall reflected in the Aji pond | 20 minutes |
| Inside the hall | The Amida Buddha on a short timed tour | 20 minutes |
| Hoshokan Museum | Original phoenixes, a bell and cloud figures | 40 minutes |
| Byodoin Omotesando | A street of tea shops leading to the temple | 30 minutes |
| Uji River | Riverside walks and the old Uji Bridge | 30 minutes |
When to go
- Early morning: calm water and the clearest reflections.
- Late April to early May: wisteria blooms beside the pond.
- Autumn: red maples and pleasant walking weather.
- Weekdays: fewer crowds and easier tickets for the hall interior.
Our tip: Look at a 10 yen coin as you stand by the pond. Then walk up Byodoin Omotesando and try matcha soft serve or a proper bowl of tea, as Uji is one of Japan's most famous tea towns.
Getting there
- From Kyoto: JR Nara Line trains reach Uji Station in about 20 to 30 minutes.
- From Uji Station: the temple is about a 10 minute walk.
- By Keihan: Keihan Uji Station is also a short walk across the river.
Visiting respectfully
- Photography is not allowed inside the Phoenix Hall or the museum.
- Tickets for inside the hall are limited and sold at the temple on the day.
- Do not lean over or step into the pond.
- Check the temple's site for current fees and hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is Byodo-in on the 10 yen coin?
Yes. The Phoenix Hall appears on the front of the 10 yen coin.
Can you go inside the Phoenix Hall?
Yes, on short guided visits for an extra fee. Tickets are limited and sold on the day.
How do you get to Byodo-in from Kyoto?
Take the JR Nara Line to Uji, then walk about 10 minutes.
How old is Byodo-in?
The temple dates from 1052, and the Phoenix Hall from 1053.
Kurashiki Bikan
Willow trees, white storehouses and little boats along a calm old canal.
We check this guide regularly. Prices, hours and rules in Japan can change, so confirm with the official sources below before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.