1. Byodo-In Temple

    1. Byodo-In Temple

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    Kaneohe, HI

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    Byodo-In Temple

    4.5 (967 reviews)
    Open 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

    Byodo-In Temple Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Byodo-In Temple

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    Come early.   Long lines
    Joanne J.

    Buy parking and admission tickets online. Seniors are $8, great price! Non-Seniors are $10. Great place to spend an hour. Very tranquil and if you're high strung, it's a good place to take a breath before reality kicks in and you're back to your highly-wired self. Arrive early to grab a parking space. Restrooms are portable potties.

    Luz O.

    My big recommendation for this beautiful spot is, COME EARLY. The actual parking lot is pretty small. The Line may tail to get into the parking lot. And the closest staff is by the ticket booth. People start parking on the main road so then the road becomes narrow. Admission is : $10 for adults, $6 Children (2-12), and seniors are $8 This place is quiet, peaceful the ambiance is happy. Great spots for photos. There are signs with descriptions of history that are interesting to read. Be respectful, take your shoes off before entering and be mindful of those who are putting in a prayer. After entering the temple, they have a cute gift shop for small souvenirs, fish feed and omamori's. Behind the gift shop they have restrooms. Be mindful when you feed the fish and birds. They possibly will fly in your face for the food. The staff members here are friendly and don't mind taking pictures for you. If you have children, please supervise, staff may communicate respectfully for too much noise inside or near the temple. Out the temple is ok.

    My favorite people in the world!
    Frankie M.

    The Byodo-In-Temple is absolutely stunning! It's a must-see when visiting Oahu. This non-denominational Buddhist temple welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate or simply appreciate its beauty and history as a non-practicing Buddhist temple. It's not everyday you get to appreciate an authentic Japanese temple situated against the gorgeous backdrop of Oahu's soaring Ko'olau Mountains. It's truly a sight to behold. As you enter the property you are met with the peaceful and tranquil sounds of the bon-sho (sacred bell). Visitors are welcomed to ring the bell for happiness and longevity. Overall, it took us about 30 minutes to walk around the property. The staff were friendly and amicable. Admission was relatively low. My kids bought fish food at the gift shop and fed all of the Koi fish in the ponds, which was a lot of fun! Definitely recommend coming here and paying them a visit!

    Temple
    Tawny D.

    Absolutely stunning must see! We arrived early and beat the buses! It took us about 30 minutes to walk around the property. We bought fish food and fed all of the Koi fish, which was a lot of fun. They have a small gift shop. When in the temple, they ask you to be quiet and take off your shoes. The temple inside is very beautiful. On a hold the place is just absolutely serene and breathtaking. Make sure you bang the gong even if you have to wait in line it's definitely worth it.

    Lynn L.

    Must visit spot if you're visiting Kaneohe. It's about 15-20 min drive from the botanical garden. You have to enter the Memorial Park to get to this temple. It's a smaller replica of the actual temple from Japan. We ordered tickets online for $10/person and $6 for parking. They don't check your tickets when you enter which we thought was very strange lol. It's very beautiful and peaceful with the mountain and smoky cloud in the background. They have a couple benches for you to sit. You can enter the temple but it's actually pretty small. They have artists and vendors under the temple too. I loved seeing all the koi fish and mini pagoda up hill. There's also a large bell that you can ring for funsies.

    Bridge to Byodo-in
    Priscilla O.

    I've been to the original Byodo-in in Uji near Kyoto and this place doesn't quite live up to it. It's a very touristy spot and the koi are proliferating in the ponds at a crazy rate. Still, the beautiful mountains in the background are worth a visit.

    Al L.

    Byodo-In Temple has been on my go-to list for awhile and we finally made it here during our recent trip. It's located in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. Admission is $10, $8 for seniors and $6 for children by card only. Byodo-In translates to Temple of Equality. This non-denominational temple is a Hawaii landmark that was established on June 7, 1968 to acknowledge and celebrate the centennial of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the Hawaii. The temple is a replica of the Phoenix Hall of the Byodo-In Temple which is a UNESCO site in Uji, Japan. The temple grounds are beautiful with the Ko'olau Mountains in the background. You can ring the peace bell. You can take beautiful pictures here. The structure is designed in the shape of the mythical bird. The central room or Phoenix Hall houses the Amida Buddha statue. You must take off your shoes if you wish to enter this room. But you can walk on along the outside and get a view of the buddha without taking off your shoes. The pond in front of the temple is full of koi and at certain sections it was packed with koi. Nice getaway to a beautiful Zen area. Wished we could have stayed longer, but we had to brave the rains on this day.

    Annie S.

    So incredibly peaceful. Didn't expect to drive through a cemetery before getting to the temple but once there, it made sense. The temple is located at the end/top of the hill. There was parking available when we got there. $10 entrance fee for nonresident visitors. There were quite a few people but it wasn't too busy. Even with everyone there, it was quiet and peaceful. There's a gift shop where you can purchase trinkets or food for fish and birds. You can walk through the temple as well. There were vendors right outside the temple. Definitely with visiting if you have time.

    Sam W.

    Limited space at the front of the ticket booth. Best to come early as sun does get warmer as the day goes on. Tickets were $7 for Adults. Quick and fast ticking service along with pay online service available. There is a Bon-Sho (Sacred Bell) for you to release your negative energy and impart deep peace and brings happiness, blessings and a long life. There are fish feed sold at the gift shop store for $6. If your interest in smashing pennies for souvenirs then you're in luck 4 styles for $.51 each or for those don't have pennies $1.50 each or $5 for 4

    Mike L.

    You know, for all of the great things that we had heard about Byodo-In Temple before coming here, it somehow escaped us that this place is actually located within a cemetery. A little morbid, in that regard, but even if we had known, I doubt it would've changed anything. Between the number of folks who recommended checking it out and all of the beautiful photos of the temple, I doubt our curiosity could've resisted the urge to make the drive out here! After passing through the front gate into the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, it's a short drive up the hill before the road winds down to the parking lot for the temple. As you approach it, though, keep an eye out to see how full it looks - it's not all that big, so if it looks busy, you may want to park along the edge of the road rather than getting stuck and having to make a U-turn out of it. Once you've parked, head over to the small security shack to pay for admission before heading in ($7 for adults, but they have discounted rates for kids, seniors, and Kamaaina). Almost immediately after you cross the small pedestrian bridge, you're greeted with a beautiful view. Even though it may only be a replica of the original Byodo-In Temple in Japan, this one is no less picturesque, especially with the buildings and grounds surrounding it and the mountains in the background. It sits behind a large pond that's full of koi (you can buy fish food from the gift shop), features a large bell that you can ring (helps cleanse your soul), and areas for meditation and prayer. Inside the temple, there's a small buddha statue and pots for visitors to light and place incense. Along with the aforementioned fish food (which, to be honest, seemed kind of expensive), the gift shop has a variety of trinkets, figurines, pictures, and a whole slew souvenirs to offer. Thankfully, some items weren't terribly priced, but it also helps to know that the money goes towards the Byodo-In Temple and the memorial park as a whole. Also, I've seen several of my fellow Yelpers mention the mosquitos around here, but we actually didn't see any (or we just got lucky). In any case, bring some bug spray just in case, as it would be a shame to let that stop you from checking out such a pretty and serene sight/site!

    Elaine D.

    One of Oahu's best kept secrets. The Byodo-In+Temple sits at the foot of the Ko'olai Mountains is a place of beauty and tranquility. A drizzly day, but we made the best of it. Take time to explore, ring the Sacred Bell and enter the templle to pause in thought in front of the great Amida Buddha. A Hawaii landmark that should not be missed. 14

    Bridge entering the Temple
    Jiali L.

    Even though the grounds aren't large, this was such a quaint nice place to visit and walk around. Once you come in past the entrance, there's a bell on the left that people got in line for to ring. We visited early in the year so people were ringing it for good luck though I imagine it could be a year round thing. There were a few seated areas and ponds filled with lots of carp. One meditation garden and then an indoor area where you could see a Buddha statue. This area is a footwear free zone and people could light incense for blessings and good luck. The location was also surrounded by a cemetery (and there was also an indoor urn area as well). There were a few tables with people selling crafts and a gift shop as well. In general, the area was very picturesque and the place definitely gave a sense of calm (though it was quite packed that day). I'm glad we were able to visit and would recommend checking it out if you're in the area!

    Sculpture
    Annie W.

    Even though this is just a replica of one located in Japan, it's beautiful and I enjoyed my visit. It's not very big, but there's a lot to see in a small space. The temple itself is lovely. As with a practicing temple, you remove your shoes before entering. There's a big bell to ring before entering the temple and there was a line of about 5 people when I arrived. It wouldn't take long to get to the front of the line except when there are people with young children who want to ring it several times or who want to take lots of pictures and videos while they're doing so. There are a couple of different koi ponds with some very hungry koi as well as lots of birds around begging for food. They sell bags of fish/bird food, but I'm not sure how much they were. Lots of people were feeding both the birds and the koi. The birds were lighting on people's hands and arms to get the food; good photo ops if you're into that! The Meditation Pavilion on the hill was nice, but too many people in it to make it of much use for meditation! Definitely a nice stop while in Oahu!

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    Byodo-In Temple Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Byodo-In Temple

    Is there a restroom in the gift shop or somewhere nearby?

    Restrooms are located in back of the Gift Shop. Porta toilets are set up for emergency purposes.

    How long is needed to experience the temple grounds?

    An hour should be enough.

    My husband can walk short distances with a walker. How much walking is involved and are the walkways gravel or smooth cement?

    Aloha, Our walkways are mostly gravel. We have benches to sit on along the way to support those who may need to stop at some point. There is a handicap ramp up to the… 

    How much is the ticket?

    Adult AdmissionPrice: $5.00 Ages 13-64 Senior AdmissionPrice: $4.00 Ages 65+ Child AdmissionPrice:… 

    Do you sell urns that I can purchase on Saturday and take home with me?

    I have not seen urns for sale at the temple and I've been there multiple times. You may want to check with the cemetery itself as the temple is located on its property.

    Can you eat there/have a picnic?

    i beleive yes.. lots of room

    Is parking free?

    Aloha Mindy, Parking is free. We have staff to assist in case parking lot is busy. State mandates are in place with mandatory masks & physical distancing. No proof of vaccination is required at this time as we are mainly an outdoor attraction.… 

    As of 6/2/21, are we able to still walk in or do we have to rsvp?

    We walked in and not needed for rsvp. There could be a line to wait.

    Do we need to make a reservation or just walk in?

    You can walk in and purchase a ticket for entry.

    Is this open with the recent (9/24) reopening of honolulu?

    Aloha, We are hoping to open soon. We are working to meet the mandated outdoor guidlines at this time. We will be sure to post our opening date. Mahalo

    Is this stroller friendly?

    Yes it is.

    Do we need to pay?

    Admission to the Byodo-In Temple grounds is General Admission $5.00 (ages 13-64), $4.00 Seniors (age 65 & up), $2.00 Children (2-12 years).… 

    Is this a walk-in or do i need to reserve?

    Walk in, no reservations accepted

    Is the temple handicap accessible?

    Yes it is, they have ramps all around including getting inside the temple, the ramps are on the right side of the temple

    Yelp says open 24/7. Is the temple really open 24/7? I can come and go inside the temple anytime?

    Aloha, The Temple & its grounds are open daily from 8:30am to 4:45 pm. Call (808) 239-9844 if you wish to schedule a tour. Hope to see you soon. Mahalo

    What are the Kama'aina rates?

    Aloha Ashley, Kama'aina rates are valid only with a Hawai'i driver's license or state ID. Please call the entrance booth at (808) 741-7851 for the rates. Please visit and take our free educational tour of the temple.

    What hours are open?

    8:30 am to 5pm

    Do we have to pay the photographs fee if we use our personal cellphone to take pictures?

    No photograph fee for cellphone or for any camera

    Would it be appropriate to visit with a 2.5 year old & baby?

    I believe it would be completely fine to visit with children of all ages. We visited with a teenager and a 5 year old. This area is more of a sight to see and is all outdoors so provided your children like animals and nature, they will love it!… 

    Can I bring my small maltese dog that's in a doggy bag?

    The website does not explicitly state the rule. However, this is an actual consecrated temple, though it is not in service as one; the tone and environment are somber and spiritual. I believe that to bring an animal would be outrageously… 

    View All 27 Questions

    Review Highlights - Byodo-In Temple

    It's located within the Valley of the Temples, and is a smaller-scale replica of the Byodo-In Temple in Japan.

    Mentioned in 131 reviews

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    Valley of the Temples

    Valley of the Temples

    4.3
    (241 reviews)

    Our visit to the Byodo-In Temple was deeply personal and meaningful. The fam and I were on the…read moreisland to visit family members who have passed and are laid to rest at Valley of the Temples (as well as at the nearby Veterans cemetery). Beginning our time there at the temple felt like the most peaceful and grounding way to start. From the moment we walked in, everything slowed down. Even though there were several groups of visitors, everyone was quiet and respectful, which preserved a beautiful sense of calm. The temple is a stunning replica of the historic Byōdō-in in Japan, and it's absolutely breathtaking in person. The large Buddha statue inside is gigantic and awe-inspiring. We bought a small bag of food and scattered pellets into the different ponds where bright koi fish gathered in clusters, Turtles, Peacocks, wild cats rested in shaded corners, and the birds (so accustomed to visitors) ate directly out of our hands. We lit incense together and took a few quiet moments to reflect on the family members we were there to honor. Ringing the sacred bell before entering felt symbolic , like setting an intention for remembrance and gratitude. Parking is a nightmare and there is a small fee. But you will get back what you put in because it is a gentle, meaningful, and peaceful way to begin your visit should you find yourself in this side of the island.

    I have been here many times due to having someone very dear to me buried in the Cathedral View…read moresection. Overall this is one of the most peaceful places that I have ever been and if you haven't taken a full temple tour please ask to take part in one, if time allows. I love the temple gift shop and the employees are so nice ... They have just about every little (and some big) memento that you could want and they even sell bird and fish food so you have the option of filling your hand with bird seed and then holding out your hand... the birds will eat from your hand... OR you can visit the coi pond, take a seat and feed the fish. Both are equally peaceful.

    Woolsey Hosoi Mortuary LLC

    Woolsey Hosoi Mortuary LLC

    1.5
    (2 reviews)

    This mortuary service is awful. We went through them to order an urn vault and eternal vase for my…read moremother and father-inlaws' grave at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. First off, no one ever answers the phone. It always goes to voicemail, and they get back to you whenever they happen to feel like it. Sometimes it takes days and multiple messages to get to talk to a real person. And when you do, there is no guarantee that they are going to be nice, polite, or even cordial. I'll explain why I say that a little further down in my review. Our first experience with them was when we were ordering an urn vault for our loved ones grave. After a few calls, we were finally able to place our order, and they did manage to get the vault order correct, and at the cemetery on time. The eternal vase was a whole other matter. The veterans cemetery says you can't order an eternal vase until the permanent headstone is in place. Well my inlaws passed in November, their permanent headstone was placed in mid January, so we ordered a permanent vase in mid January. The mortuary said it takes a couple of months for the cases to come in. Okay, so 3 months pass and still no eternal vase. That brings us to mid April, and we call to inquire about the status of the vase. We are told: "We ordered 14 vases, and your name was the last one on the list, and it should be installed soon. Okay, now we're talking. We figure on Memorial Day May 28th 2018, the vase should definitely be installed, right? Wrong!! So my husband calls to find out what the deal is. He called, and of course, no one answers so he left a message. Not even 10 seconds later, a woman calls him back with a sassy and snippy attitude. And that tells us she must have been sitting right there when he left the message, because the message was more than 10 seconds long. She basically sat there by the message machine and didn't even freaking bother to pick up the phone. When he gets her on the phone, she is over there telling him that he knew it would take 3 to 4 months to get a vase, and he shouldn't be complaining. Hello!!?? Last month you said it would be in any day now. Then she says, all the mortuaries order from the same person, and they don't keep a supply in stock. My husband said: So what?! We placed the order months ago and you said we were the last name on the list of vases that were ordered, and it was due to arrive at any time. Now the woman on the phone is stuck, what's she going to say about that? She has the freaking nerve to lie and say "when the vases came in, one vase arrived damaged, and it was your vase". What?? WTH?! Why not say something weeks ago? Why not give us a call and let us know there was a problem with our vase order instead of letting us think everything was okay? Why? I have a hunch: because she was lying and making stuff up. My husband tells her that he is going to let the cemetery and everyone else he knows about the terrible service he keeps receiving from Woolsey Hosoi Mortuary. What does the woman say? "You go do that!" Okay lady, here you go!! We are letting everyone who reads our review about the horrible service, attitude and unprofessional conduct we have encountered at Woolsey Hosoi Mortuary. All because of you and your crappy attitude. Folks, I am warning you now: Do not patronize this business at all. They don't give a shit about you, or the fact that you have lost loved ones. They just want to take your money and not deliver what they promised. If I could give minus five stars, I would. Go to any other mortuary but this one.

    Horrible. The staff are friendly but the services that we expected was not good. My mom went back…read moreand forth with them from the death certificate being submitted, the arrangements being changed every week and not letting us know unless we called...any changes with the state they did not inform us...

    Watanabe Floral

    Watanabe Floral

    4.0
    (626 reviews)
    $

    Just wanted to thank Monty for promptly reaching out to me and making sure I was satisfied after my…read moreless than stellar experiences. Decided to showcase my gorgeous arrangements from past orders in hopes to inspires future orders for new and previous customers. Thank you, Monty!

    I've ordered from this company multiple times because I live off-island and rely on them to deliver…read moreflowers to my mom for special occasions and holidays. Up until now, they've always done a great job, but this recent experience for Mother's Day was extremely disappointing. First, the delivery driver brought the wrong bouquet. I paid $209.41 (including delivery), but my mom received a bouquet that was clearly not what I ordered later confirmed to be a lower priced arrangement. I had to call customer service, who then contacted the driver immediately. While I appreciate that they responded quickly, it still took about 47 minutes for the driver to return, take back the incorrect bouquet, and retrieve the correct one from the truck. When the correct arrangement finally arrived, the presentation was still off. The vase was too short for the flowers, making the bouquet look unbalanced and like it was falling out. For over $200, I expected much better attention to detail and quality. On top of that, the company advertised "free delivery," but that only applied to very limited areas on the island. I still had to pay a delivery fee despite the initial mistake being entirely on their end, which felt misleading. Overall, this was a frustrating and disappointing experience, especially for a special occasion like Mother's Day. I've had good experiences before, but this one really missed the mark.

    Byodo-In Temple - buddhist_temples - Updated July 2026

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