Located on Oahu’s breathtaking windward coast, just inland from Kaneohe Bay and Kualoa Ranch, Byodo-In Temple is a scaled-down replica of Byōdō-in, an approximately 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple near Kyoto, Japan. Byodo-In Temple is home to one of the world’s largest Buddha statues found anywhere outside of Japan, a three-ton sacred bell, Meditation Pavilion, and a reflection pond that contains Japanese koi. Tours of the temple and grounds are self-guided, but several Oahu tour companies will provide transportation to and from the attraction.
History and Background Information
Byodo-In Temple is located within the confines of Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, where many of Oahu’s most prominent citizens have been buried on the island since 1963. Byodo-In Temple opened in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigrants arriving in Hawaii. It was designed to stand as a replica of the world-famous Byōdō-in, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has stood as a legendary place of worship in Japan for a millennium now. In one form or another, the Byodo-In Temple has appeared in such TV shows as Lost, Hawaii Five-0, and Magnum, P.I. In addition to welcoming guests of all faiths from across the world, the temple hosts a variety of special events—including concerts, poetry readings, and weddings—throughout the year.
What’s Here
For most visitors, the highlight of their Byodo-In Temple experience is entering the temple and coming face to face with the Amida Buddha. This nine-foot-tall golden statue is the work of acclaimed sculptor Masuzo Inui; it’s believed to be the world’s largest Buddha ever created outside of Japan. Around the Amida Buddha you will encounter multiple niches containing a series of urns. These urns hold the cremains of individuals from several different faiths, in a nod to the fact that Byodo-In means “Temple of Equality” in Japanese.
Byodo-In Temple is also home to the Bon-sho, or “sacred bell.” This sacred bell is a three-ton brass bell cast in Osaka, Japan; during your visit to the temple you’ll find it located within the kanetsuki-do, or Bell House. It was modeled after a 900-year-old bell that was made in India almost a millennium ago. The bell’s distinctive shape gives its tone a uniquely calming resonance. Custom holds that one typically rings the bell before entering the temple.
No trip to the Byodo-In Temple is complete without taking some time to enjoy the attraction’s lovely grounds. Located next to the temple you’ll find a beautiful reflection pond containing the site’s famous Japanese koi; many of these koi are believed to be several decades old. You can often see numerous other types of wildlife in the area, too, including peacocks, black swans, turtles, and frogs.
To the left of the Byodo-In Temple, in what was once a Japanese tea house, you will find a gift shop. The gift shop is typically open daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm. It sells an assortment of Buddha statues, miniature temple bells, ceremonial figurines, books, and souvenirs, as well as all manner of Japanese-inspired clothing, artwork, and commemorative prints. The majority of the art available for sale here is the work of local artists.
Tips for Visiting
*Be advised that the Byodo-In Temple gift shop doesn’t accept cash. If you’d like to purchase something here, you’ll need to use a credit or debit card.
*Many visitors to the Byodo-In Temple are drawn to the striking Japanese koi that call the temple’s fish pond home. If you’re interested in feeding the Japanese koi during the course of your visit, it’s important to note that outside food is strictly prohibited. However, officially sanctioned Japanese koi food may be purchased at the temple gift shop.
*Given the temple’s setting, applying some sort of bug or mosquito repellant prior to your visit is highly recommended.
*Because the Byodo-In Temple is a place of worship for many practicing local Buddhists, you’ll want to come prepared to remove your shoes before entering the temple itself.
*Don’t forget to make time during your visit to walk around the temple, climb up the scenic hill, and enjoy the idyllic setting of the Meditation Pavilion. It’s a terrific spot to take a few moments to gather your thoughts and soak in the atmosphere.