Originally built in the present city of Uji as a country residence for the Minamoto clan, the building was later given to the Fujiwara family. In 1052, Fujiwara no Morimichi (990-1074), at that time regent of the emperor, transformed the complex into a Buddhist temple and named it Byôdô-in. One year later, the Amida Hall, also called the Phoenix Hall, was added – at the ridge ends, a pair of Chinese phoenixes face each other. Since December 1994, the temple complex of the Byôdô-in has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hôshôkan, the modern “Byôdo-in Museum”, is located on the temple grounds.
other temples
