The Temple and Buddha
The phoenix hall, with a large gilded Amida Buddha inside.
Byodo-In Temple
A replica of a thousand-year-old temple in Japan, set against the green cliffs of the Koʻolau Mountains on Oʻahu, with koi ponds and a peace bell to ring.
Byodo-In Temple, in the Valley of the Temples on Oʻahu's windward side, is a replica of a 950-year-old temple in Uji, Japan. It was built in 1968 to mark 100 years since the first Japanese immigrants came to Hawaiʻi.
The scarlet temple sits before the sheer green cliffs of the Koʻolau Mountains, mirrored in a pond full of koi. It is not a practicing temple, and people of every faith come to ring its great bell and sit in the gardens.
- Best Time
- Year-round; mornings are calmest
- Time Needed
- 1 hour
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Every day; check byodo-in.com for hours
- Getting There
- In Kāneʻohe, about 30 minutes from Waikīkī over the Likelike or Pali Highway.
What to See
0 of 3 are freePeace Bell
A three-ton bronze bell; ringing it is said to bring peace and happiness.
Koi Pond and Gardens
Koi, swans and peacocks around the reflecting pond and Japanese gardens.
Know Before You Go
- There's a small entrance fee. The temple is inside a memorial park, so drive quietly past the gravesites.
- Mosquitoes can be lively in the gardens; bring repellent.
Where to Stay
Visit from Honolulu or Kailua.
Where to Eat
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Last checked 2026-10-31. Part of the Hawaii list.