15/08/2026
Byōdō-in Temple (Phoenix Hall) — Uji, Japan 🏯
This stunning temple near Kyoto dates back to 1053, originally built as an aristocrat’s retreat before being converted into a Buddhist temple. Its official name is the Hōō-dō, or “Phoenix Hall,” named for its shape (like a phoenix with outstretched wings) and the bronze phoenix ornaments perched on its roof.
It’s one of the few surviving examples of Heian-period wooden architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That’s why it made the cut for Japan’s ¥10 coin back in 1951 — it’s considered a symbol of the refined aesthetic and Buddhist ideals of that golden era in Japanese culture. Next time you’re holding spare change in Japan, check your pockets — you might be carrying a tiny piece of this temple with you!
