Uji F‘
Situated 12km south of Kyoto station, Uji is a popular day-trip for tourists staying in the former capital. Apart from the illustrious Byodo-in and the extensive Mampuku-ji, Uji is reputated for its green tea, said to be Japan's best.
Byodo-in Temple ½@
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 (P° "Hoo-do") 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.
The Hoshokan (or Byodo-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 Hoshokan. The Byodoin is open from 8:30am to 5:30pm (9am to 4:30pm from December to February). Admission to the Phoenix Hall cost an additional 500, but note that it will be closed for renovation until late 2005.
Visit the Byodoin's official website (Japanese only) for pictures of the museum and interior of the Amida Hall.
Obakusan Mampuku-ji Temple ©@Rδέ
Mampuku-ji is the head of the Okaku sect of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, which has 460 branches throughout Japan.
It was founded by the Chinese Zen master Ingen (B³ "Yin-yuan" in Chinese, 1592-1673). At 29, Ingen entered the temple of Mampukuji ("Wan-fu-si) on Mount Obaku ("Huang-bo") in the Chinese province of Fujian. Having been invited to Japan, he landed in Nagasaki in 1654 and started spreading the true teaching of Rinzai Buddhism. The Mampukuji Temple was established in 1661 and constructed in Ming Chinese style.
The temple complex has over 20 buildings. Admission is 500.
How to get there
Uji can be accessed with the JR Nara line or Keihan-Uji line. It takes 15 minutes from Kyoto station by rapid train, and 25min by local train. The Byodoin is about 10 minutes walk from the station. Take the main street toward Kyoto until the river, then take the small touristy street left to the huge torii gate and go straight.
For Mampuki-ji, get off one stop before at Obaku station (local train only). The temple is just a few minutes walk north of the station.
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