Uji Byodoin

Title: Uji Byodoin
Size: 22" x 30"
© 2007, Scott Moore

The main reason to visit Uji is for the renowned Byodo-in and its Phoenix Hall. Virtually all Japanese know it as it appears on the back of the ten yen coins.

Originally built by Fujiwara Yorimichi in 1052 as a villa, the Byodo-in was later converted into a Buddhist temple. One of the most remarkable thing is that the Phoenix Hall also known as the Amida Hall, is still the original 950 year-old building.

As one of the few remaining pieces of architecture from the Heian Era, the Byodo-in was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994.