Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
We visited Byodo-In Temple, a very peaceful place in Oahu. It’s got such stunning scenery, and was a nice place to calm the mind.
Located around the Ko’olau Mountains, we found lush gardens and a serene pond. It’s a historic site with deep cultural ties.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share some of our photos. You might want to check out this gem too!
Getting There
Byodo-In is located in the Valley of the Temples, which is a memorial park where people are laid to rest.
Coming from the Waikiki area, it takes us about 45 minutes to drive to Kaneohe. It’s less than 20 miles.
To get there, we took the H-1 East to the HI-63, which is the Likelike Highway. I love the name of this highway!
Once we hit Kaneohe, we took the HI-83, Kahekili Highway. You should see the signs for Valley of the Temples.
Then we followed the signs to get to Byodo-In Temple. You’ll want to drive slowly in this area.
Visiting Byodo-In Temple
The temple grounds are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day (and close early Thanksgiving and Christmas eves).
We only paid $5 per person to enter the area. What you’ll see is worth every penny.
The parking area holds a few vehicles. Although most of the lot was full, we found a spot.
Just wait a couple of minutes. People were constantly coming in and out, so you’ll eventually get a spot.
There were no crowds when we visited the temple in the morning. We went on a weekday during the off-peak season.
Beautiful Mountain Views
After paying, we crossed the red bridge to face the temple. Here was saw the most beautiful views.
The majestic Ko’olau Mountains stood among the clouds on the overcast day. The temple’s red hues popped against a thriving sea of green.
Tall trees looked like feathers distance, with their branches pointing to the sky.
The landscape painted a gorgeous picture. We walked the grounds listening to nature’s song.
This is the kind of serenity you’ll find here. It’s off-the-path and a best-kept secret indeed.
The Sacred Bell
In the distance, visitors rang the Bon Sho, or Sacred Bell. So, that the first thing we had to investigate.
It’s a huge brass bell contained in the Bell House. It’s customary to ring the bell before entering the temple.
I also tried my hand at it and pulled back the long, soft log. And let it go… DONG!
The deep sound resonated softly. It’s supposed to evoke a deep calm, peace, and cleansing of the mind.
Ringing the bell is also supposed to bring you happiness, blessings, and long life. So I gave it a good ring!
The Koi Pond
There’s a Koi Pond that surrounds the temple. It’s in the shape of the Chinese character that means “spirit”.
We walked around it to find the gift shop, which had souvenirs and unique Japanese gifts. There were some cute things to buy, but I didn’t spend any money.
Here you can buy fish and bird food to feed some of the wildlife. Don’t bring your own food, as it’s not allowed.
We watched people feed the colorful koi, swarming in white, yellow, and orange.There were hundreds of these fish.
We walked along the water as people sat and enjoyed the views. They have seating areas where you can relax and reflect.
You might also find black swans here, but we only saw many ducks. And we also saw cats, but they stayed at a distance.
Amida Buddha
Before entering the temple, a staff member told us we’d have to take our shoes off. There’s also a sign, but I think the people are there to enforce it.
You can leave them outside in the cubby or carry them with you. You can’t really enter the temple, per se, but this is to view the Amida Buddha statue.
It’s a 9-foot-tall, golden replica that sits in Phoenix Hall. This is the hall that was built just for the statue.
Some people made offerings, lit candles, and prayed. Others went over to admire it, like we did.
You cannot go further into the temple unless you schedule a tour. But the views of the grounds looking out of the temple are just as wonderful.
Meditation Pavilion
Then, we walked up the short path to the meditation pavilion. It’s on a hill behind the temple.
Mosquitoes attacked me as we passed by the lush area. So, we did not sit in its serenity for long.
It’s a nice place to enjoy the temple away from the other visitors. If it weren’t for the bugs, I would’ve stayed for a while.
So, we headed back to the parking lot. This time, we saw a lot more cats strolling around. They sure picked a wonderful place to live.
Travel Notes
Before visiting this place of worship, you need to dress appropriately and not show up in beach duds. I was wearing my flowy blouse, but kept it casual.
We saw people praying and meditating here, so you must be mindful. It’s a quiet atmosphere, and people keep their voice levels down.
Also, there’s no running, yelling, throwing things, tree-climbing, etc. This is not a jungle gym.
When visiting the temple, you can only view the front part, where the Amida Buddha is. If you’d like to see more of the inside, you can schedule a tour.
I plan to do this next time I visit. The tickets are only a few dollars.
Final Thoughts
We spent under an hour relaxing at Byodo-In Temple in Oahu. It’s a clean, quiet place to clear your mind and visit the wildlife.
I enjoyed walking the grounds and seeing the beautiful views. This is definitely a place I’d like to return to on my next trip.
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts that might interest you on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- You can also visit Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, a beautiful refuge that’s nearby.
- Also, you might want to check out Nu’uanu Pali Lookout for dramatic coastal views.
- For more on exploring Oahu, I’ll give you more things to do.
- For the Honolulu area, I cover what to see and do over there.
- If you’re staying around Waikiki, check out things to do in that area.
I love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: December 9, 2024
