Uji Travel Guide

 cheesecake17 Says:  The temple picture on the back of the 10 yen coin is of Byodo-in temple located 12 km south of Kyoto station, in Uji city...Is one of the few original architecture dating back to the 11th century(heian period)....It was built to resemble a phoenix and you will see a replica... 

 ronboc Says:  Byodoin Temple about 10-15 min walk from JR Uji station. Definetly plan 1 full day as so much to see and do 

 Rabbityama Says:  Obakusan Mampukuji Temple is the head of the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism. Even before entering, you can see by looking at the roof on the gate that it was designed using the Chinese Ming Dynasty-style architecture, which makes sense, because this sect of Buddhism came from... 

 Rabbityama Says:  Built in 1060, Ujigami Shrine is considered to be the oldest Shinto Shrine in the country (although there are a few other shrines that also claim to be the oldest). Regardless, it is undoubtedly one of the oldest. It is rather small, but its age makes it a significant... 

 Rabbityama Says:  The Byodoin Temple is one of Japan's most iconic temples; it appears on the ten yen coin! The Phoenix Hall dates back to 1053. It is a hall dedicated to the worship of Amida Buddha, and if you take the tour, you can enter to see the Buddha statue up close. If you enter,... 

 Rabbityama Says:  Mimurotoji Temple is rarely frequented by foreign tourists but not because it's not worth it! The temple itself is historic. It's the tenth temple in the Saigoku Pilgrimage Route. Beyond that, the temple is built in the mountainside and hydrangeas and azaleas have been... 

 Rabbityama Says:  Foreigners tend to know Uji as the site of Byodoin Temple however, most Japanese first associate Uji with the Tale of Genji. Uji is the setting of the last ten chapters of Murasaki Shikibu's Tale of Genji, which is said to have been the world's first novel. The museum... 

 Rabbityama Says:  Not far from the city's center is Amagase Dam. It was built in 1964 to prevent flooding in the city. Although it's not a historic site, the view from atop the dam is impressive and it's completely free to walk atop. It's worth it if you have the time or if you want to add a... 

 Vishuddha Says:  Everybody in Japan is familiar to this temple even though they don't know where it is actually.Yes, the familiar Byodoin Hou-ou-do, the Phoenix Hall, is embossed on Japanese 10 yen coin!Byodoin Temple was established in 1052, and the Phoenix Hall was in the following year... 

 cheesecake17 Says:  The garden right in front of the PHOENIX HALL, is consider a masterpiece an a HISTORIC PLACE OF SCENIC BEAUTY....The AJIIKE POND, as is known in japanese was believed to modeled after the TREASURE POND in the PURE LAND..Pure land gardens were ORIGINAL to the HEIAN period and... 

 cheesecake17 Says:  The statue of the AMITABHA TATHAGATA, or AMIDA NYORAI, or MIDA BUDDHA, is what you will see in the main Phoenix hall, its a NATIONAL TREASURE, and the principal object of worship....Why??, because it was carved in the 11th century, by the skillful sculptor JOCHO, and its the... 

 cheesecake17 Says:  There a few Important objects in the museum that should not be miss..The phoenix birds you see at the top of the Byodo-in are replicas of the original..which are on display in the museum....The 2.3 m original phoenix are a NATIONAL TREASUREThe museum also contain a... 

 cheesecake17 Says:  ......Is that is extremely old and worn but keeps it original decorations and atmosphere of what the Heian period was....The CENTRAL building came to be known as the PHOENIX HALL by local travelers during the early EDO PERIOD(1603-1868).....for 2 reason, one obviously... 

 maverick-mw Says:  The main and possibly only reason people come to Uji (just south of Kyoto) is to see the Byodoin, which is on the back of the 10-yen coin.Described as being one of the top 5 must-see buildings in Japan according to one list, it is one of the best example of architecture from... 

 mikegr Says:  Uji is very easy to get to.It can be reached by either the JR line (between Kyoto and Nara) or the Keihan line.The JR line route is straight forward.Using the Keihan line (running between Yodoyobashi on the Midusuji line in Osaka and Demachiyanagi in Kyoto) get off the train...