Byodoin Garden Kyoto

To some people, Japan is all about technology with Tokyo’s vibrant night life; while Japan, to other people, conjures up the image of the Sumo wrestlers. To the historically inclined, the Samurai warriors are equated with the image of Japan. However, irrespective of the bent of mind, the hellish devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War comes foremost with the name Japan being pronounced. The cultural side of this great country, for most of the time, unfortunately comes at the last. But a look at the cultural heritage of this country would make this error of commission an unpardonable offence. Considered as the citadel of the Japanese culture, Kyoto is famous for Buddhist shrines, architecturally superior temples as well as for its majestic parks and gardens. All the gardens in this great city are an amalgamation of Zen Buddhist philosophy with aesthetic beauty. Curiously though, the temples house the gardens, thereby underscoring the importance of them even in the Japanese religion. Housed inside the Byodoin temple, Byodoin Garden, Kyoto- for example- is one such garden. Frequented by the nobility in the ancient Japan, this garden till date remains a very popular tourist destination. Read on to know more about Byodoin Garden, Kyoto with AsiaRooms.com.

Byodoin Garden-Kyoto is located on the property of the Byodo-in Temple. The former villa of Fujiwara-no-Michinaga, a proud member of the Fujiwara family; it was converted into the temple in 1052. Built in 1053 A.D., the Phoenix hall, an Amida Buddha hall, is the most famous building on the temple ground. Considered as a National Treasure, it is in fact the only building which is as old as the temple itself. The garden encircles the Amida Buddha hall. Famous for the scenic beauty, it is in fact regarded as one of the very few remaining pure land gardens. Frequented by the aristocracy in the ancient days, it is believed that the influence of this garden, during the Heian era, led to the spread of this type of gardens all over Japan. The Ajike pond inside the temple property enhances the scenic beauty of the garden by many folds and is linked to the Phoenix Hall by two bridges- Soribashi (arched bridge) and Hirabashi (flat bridge). Some are of the opinion that this pond is patterned after the treasure Pond in the pure land. A visitor on entering this garden would first stumble upon a small triangular shaped lawn known as Ogi no Shiba. It is the place where Minamoto Yorimasa, a warrior poet and a hero of “The Tale of the Heike” committed suicide. It takes a traveler just 15-25 minutes on train from central Kyoto to reach the Uji station and a few minutes on foot from the station leads to The Byodoin temple gate. The garden remains open for the public from 8:30 in the morning to 17:30 in the evening. The entrance to this marvelous and picturesque garden costs a traveler around 600 Yen. This garden is a must see for anybody visiting Kyoto.

Hotels in Kyoto
Hotel Kyoto Kokusai	Hotel SunRoute
Hotel Holiday Inn	Hotel Apa Kyoto Gion
Hotel New Hankyu	Hotel Tower