Uji 宇治
Situated 12 km south of Kyōto station, Uji is a popular day-trip for tourists staying in the former capital. Its main attractions are the illustrious Byōdō-in Temple, the old Ujigami-jinja Shrine, and the extensive Mampuku-ji, head temple of the Obakusan branch of Zen Buddhism. Uji is reputed for its green tea, considered by most Japanese to be the best in the country.
Byōdō-in Temple 平等院
The main reason to visit Uji is for the celebrated Byōdō-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 Byōdō-in was later converted into a Buddhist temple.
One of the most remarkable thing is that the Phoenix Hall (鳳凰堂 ; Hōō-dō") 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 Byōdō-in was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994.
The Hoshokan (or Byōdō-in Museum) contains remarkable "Bodhisattvas on Clouds" wooden statuettes from the Heian period, as well as the original temple bell and two phoenix from the roof.
Admission is ￥600 for adults and includes the Hōshōkan. The Byōdōin is open from 8:30am to 5:30pm (9:00am to 4:30pm from December to February). Admission to the Phoenix Hall cost an additional ￥500.
Ujigami-jinja Shrine 宇治上神社
Originally built as a guardian shrine for the Byōdō-in, Ujigami-jinja is believed to be the oldest original Shintō shrine in Japan, having been built around 1060. Like the Byōdō-in, Ujigami is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Honden (本殿 ; Main Hall) and Haiden (拝殿 ; Hall of Worship) are National Treasures of Japan. The latter is believed to be a relic of Uji Detached Palace. The Honden is the oldest surviving building, dating from the 14th century.
The nearby Uji-jinja Shrine, between Byōdō-in and Ujigami-jinja, is more elaborate, although less historically significant.
How to get there
Uji can be accessed with the JR Nara line or Keihan-Uji line. The journey takes 15 minutes from Kyōto Station by rapid train, and 25 minutes by local train. The Byōdōin is about 10 minutes walk from the station. Take the main street toward Kyōto until the river, then take the small touristy street on the right just before the bridge, pass the huge torii gate and go straight. The Ujigami Shrine is opposite Byōdōin, on the other side of the river.
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