Byodo-In Temple

Byodo-In Temple sits in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park at the foot of Oʻahu’s Koʻolau Mountains. Built in 1968 as a memorial to the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaiʻi, it is a smaller replica of the Byōdō-in in Uji, Japan. Walk beside the koi ponds, pause at the Buddha and take in the temple against the mountain backdrop. You can ring the sacred bell and buy food for the fish and birds at the gift shop. The grounds welcome people of all faiths; approach the temple and memorial park with care.

A memorial built in 1968

Byodo-In Temple is in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park in Kaneohe, on Oʻahu’s Windward Coast. The temple was established in 1968 to mark 100 years since the first Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaiʻi. Its design draws on the much older Byōdō-in Temple in Uji, Japan, and the Oʻahu building is a smaller replica.

The memorial connects the site to the history of Japanese immigration to Hawaiʻi. The temple is non-practicing and welcomes people of all faiths to visit, worship or meditate. Its name is translated as “Temple of Equality.” The surrounding park is also a memorial ground, so treat its graves and monuments with respect as you explore.

The temple and its grounds

The temple’s red-and-gold exterior stands out against the green slopes of the Koʻolau range. Inside the main hall is Amida, a golden Buddha. Two wooden figures stand beside the main altar, and golden phoenixes flank the hall’s entrance. The building was constructed without nails.

A reflecting pond, koi, small waterfalls and garden paths fill the grounds. You can take a slow walk around the water and look for the meditation areas. The sacred bell, known as the bon-sho, is another focus of a visit. Ring it before entering the temple, then remove your shoes before going into areas where footwear is not worn. The grounds are also home to birds, including peacocks.