Upon first sight, I felt like I was transported straight to Japan! This is a very popular attraction located at the Temples Memorial Park. While it was fairly crowded at 2:00P, the line to pay for admission moved quickly. Prices are very reasonable at $5 per adult and $4 for seniors 65+. Upon entry, after crossing the bridge, head to the left where you can step up to the Bon Sho (Sacred Bell) and strike it with a swing of the wooden log. The sound is said to clear your mind before heading over to enter the temple. Visitors need to remove their shoes before stepping inside to view the Amida Buddha statue, so I'd recommend wearing socks or bringing a pair with you. Despite the crowd, the temple exudes an aura of peace and solace for prayer and reflection. You can light an incense if you wish. A short trail near the Sacred Bell will lead you up a small hill to Meditation Pavilion where you can enjoy a quiet(er) view of the temple from behind. It was great to capture a photo from this perspective without worrying about people stepping into the shot. Take a peek in the water which is alive with a huge population of hungry Koi fish. A small store sells little bags of Koi food and the fish went wild when kids threw handfuls of the pellets. When in Oahu, this is a must to include in your itinerary. We spent about one hour here which was enough time to fully explore the grounds and capture some photos. It's not much of a time commitment and worth the drive out! read more

Byodo-In Temple - So serene - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Kaneohe, Hawaii

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My family and I visited Byodo-In Temple recently. What beautiful and peaceful site. The temple and the backdrop is just breathtaking. We really enjoyed seeing the temple and feeding the koi fish. read more

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If in the area, you need to stop here. Besides being beautiful, it will give you mind, spirit, and soul a needed refresh. It was part of a tour and they took care of the tickets. Well worth the stop and the drive up to it. I do suggest getting in line to ring the bell. Spend some time at the pond. Spend some time in the temple. Oh, and there is a gift shop. It was well worth the price. The friendly staff on site will guide you to all you want to see and do and provide a great service! read more

We stopped by the Byodo-In Temple during our trip to Oahu--this was my second visit, and it remains one of my favorite peaceful spots on the island. Located inside the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, the temple is a smaller-scale replica of the nearly 1,000-year-old Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan. This place is a Hawaii State Landmark and absolutely worth the visit. From the moment you walk in, there's a calming presence to the grounds. It's customary to ring the sacred bon-sho (bell) before entering--symbolizing peace and mindfulness. The grounds feature a beautiful koi pond with large, vibrant koi swimming throughout. You could easily spend time just watching them and enjoying the scenery. Visitors are also welcome to remove their shoes and visit the Amida Buddha, where you can light incense as an offering or moment of reflection. Admission is about $7 for adults and can be paid online via their website, which is super convenient. On-site, the staff were polite and helpful, making the visit feel even more welcoming. Before leaving, make sure to stop by the gift shop--it has a nice selection of souvenirs to remember your visit. Tips: - Admission is ~$7 and can be paid online - Wear easy slip-on shoes (you'll need to remove them at the Buddha shrine) - Take time to ring the bell--it's part of the experience - Bring your camera; this place is incredibly photogenic - The koi pond alone is worth the visit - Friendly and respectful staff on site to help with any questions read more

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Byodo-in temple is a scale replica of a temple in Uji Japan, was built in 1963 and being honor of 100th year anniversary of first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. With the shoulder season it still hard to find a parking because they have a limitation of space. Imagine coming during high season this place will be so packed with all visitors from all around the world. This temple is an iconic and peaceful place. It represents rich Japanese culture that has been blend in Hawaii. I'm glad I stopped by this temple for my road trip. read more

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Honestly, cool views and very tranquil but not much to see for the $7 a person price. There is a fun gong you can sound. The Buddha is inside and you have to remove your shoes for that. After that is a small vendor section and a koi pond. You can buy fish and bird food for $2 at the small gift shop. Overall worth 10 minutes of your time if you are in the area. Around 30min from Kailua Beach Park. read more

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Having just returned from Japan, we were amazed by the beautiful setting of this Buddhist temple in Kaneohe. The structure is quite authentic, and very well maintained but the best part is its tranquil setting at the base of the mountain range. The only negative was the clanging of the bell as people constantly tried to outdo each other in generating the loudest sounds. So grateful that friends brought us over to see it! read more

Byodo-In Temple - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Kaneohe, Hawaii

We spent part of our wedding anniversary here and it was breathtakingly beautiful and also so peaceful. There were little nooks and crannies away from the main building that created little moments of calmness. The drive in was beautiful and we were happy to be able to pay for our tickets on site since the website we found didn't have options to pay outside of typing in a credit card number (we were hoping for PayPal/Apple Pay/etc.). read more

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Loved this place very beautiful and zen. You pay at the entrance, the scenery is gorgeous with a koi fish pond, and the shaved ice was a nice treat. read more

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I stopped by after dropping off some friends nearby and didn't realize it was located inside a cemetery. The lady at the front was very welcoming and went above and beyond with her kindness. Thank you. The temple was peaceful and lovely to visit, though I didn't stay long out of respect. Overall, a great experience. read more

Byodo-In Temple - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Kaneohe, Hawaii

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Came here and bought tickets at the building which was $7 for adult and $6 for senior. The architecture was absolutely stunning although the interior was way smaller than I expected. It had a Buddha you can pray to and you must remove your shoes. On the side, is a bell you can ring which was so much fun to do and I've never got to do anything like that! The bell is NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE. There are two steps and no wheelchair ramp which was disappointing as the whole point of ringing the bell is to find peace and remove negativity which some people do not have the opportunity to do because of the steps. In the back there is also a quaint meditation area which was so relaxing. There is also a designated smoking area in the very back. I saw people buy bird food and the birds immediately flocked to them which was so funny to see. I also saw a live turtle in the back which is so cool. We got here by uber and got picked up near the ticket counter read more

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Fun for kids, but bring your wallet for bird/fish food! The kids had a wonderful time exploring the grounds, but the real highlight for them was definitely feeding the wildlife. We met the resident peacocks, Angus and Malcolm, who are currently in a transition area acclimating to their new environment. The birds and fish here are absolutely insatiable; they will literally pile on top of one another to get to the food, which made for a very high-energy and entertaining experience for the little ones. Be prepared for the cost of the feed, though. It is $6 per small bag, and because the kids wanted to keep feeding the animals, the costs rose quickly. On a practical note, there are port-a-potties available for visitors. If you are looking for keepsakes, there are several tables with items for sale from local vendors, as well as a dedicated gift shop. There is even a souvenir photo area where you can have your picture taken in custom costumes. Overall, it's a beautiful and memorable stop, especially if you're traveling with children who love animals. read more

Beautiful area. Plenty of fish to see and lots of relaxation time. Come early because parking is limited read more

Byodo-In Temple - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Kaneohe, Hawaii

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The Byodo-In Temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple located on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaii in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It was dedicated in August 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. read more

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If you are looking for a tranquil place escaping from the busy city, check this temple out. Parking can be challenging when it's packed with a big crowd. Best time to visit is an hour before closing time due to less traffic. There is an admission fee of $7, but Uncle at box office let us in for free. We were so grateful he was kind and generous. Reason why we are obsessed with Hawaii. Loving caring people on the island making us feel like Ohana. As we crossed the bridge, the temple was so memorizing with a lake in front backdrop of the lush green mountains. Simply beautiful! Of course, best photo background to take plenty of pictures. Kids went straight to the bell and rang it for good luck! There's a gift shop on site and we were able to purchase a hand full of fish food. We enjoyed feeding the fishes in the lake. Overall, a fun experience for the whole family. read more

Byodo-In Temple - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Kaneohe, Hawaii

Visited this temple with my 3yo son yesterday. He got the biggest kick out of ringing the HUGE bell and we both experienced enlightenment while watching the koi fish swim, I think... The temple is a beautiful structure modeled after a similar temple in Japan. But let's be clear: this is a tourist attraction more than it's a temple. The small sanctuary itself delivered on the promise of a nice long gaze into the eyes of Buddha while inhaling incense, but despite my newfound conviction in the impermanence of all things, outside the sanctuary I found a woman and her kiosk making the bold promise that you can invest in a burial plot nearby and own a piece of paradise...forever. There's also art and tchotchkes for sale and a gift shop to remind you where you are. Would recommend it for what it is, but in case you're looking for quiet contemplation in a temple that kind of hypnotizes you with its artistry, I'd head for Mu-Ryang-Sa Korean Buddhist Temple closer to town. Today I headed back to Byodo-In because my 4 year old was jealous that his brother got to ring the big bell. Both boys loved feeding the fish and hand feeding the birds that landed on their arms. As a zoological experience, would highly recommend. As a thing to do to break up the drive between town and the North Shore, it works too. read more

Byodo-In Temple - Boy feeding birds - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Kaneohe, Hawaii

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The place a d temple is nice. The grounds are peaceful. But this place is a scam and has terrible service. We had questions about ti keys and asked the front window and person scanning codes. At no point did they mention when closing time was. Closing time was not posted anywhere, only the prices. This shows they only care about money and not your experience. Once paid for family of 4, we scan our codes and the lady says we're closing soon. It was 4:22 and they close at 4:30. Did they not think to mention this 2 minutes earlier when we were asking questions about admission? There's no way to refund after tickets are purchased so we had only 8 minutes to explore and take pictures. On top of that, they were aggressive to close down exactly at 4:30. Only satisfaction I got was to purposely stall our exit and made them stay until 5pm. They got pretty aggressive the later I stayed. But I'm doing it just to spite them for scamming people. We were not the only family that were scammed. There were a few that came in even later than us. Those terrible gate people just let them pay and scanned them in within minutes of closing. Absolute cluster. I hope none of them got paid for the 30min trying to get me to leave. Karma exists, this place should learn that lesson, it's a temple after all. read more

Since there was finally a break in the rain I was looking for something to do to get the kids outside. It was definitely a fun experience for them and it was a good opportunity for them to learn about another culture/religion. Feeding the fish was fun and the birds were aggressive but super entertaining. Lot of neat pictures to take. Honestly it's also a great place to sit and read a book, meditate, or just get lost in your thoughts. read more

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Go here! It's definitely worth a visit. Entrance is a scenic drive on a winding road, with plan trees on both sides, through a cemetery. There's a giant bell you can gong with a log, cats roaming wildly, koi fish, and birds that will land on your palm (and on top of one another) as they sell bird feed here. There are also swans that are probably best to avoid because they are quite angry looking. TLDR; Went to see an aesthetic temple, ended up going to a petting zoo and I'm not mad about it. read more

This place was super busy when we arrived on a Sunday. People parking everywhere but luckily we found one right away. Ticket was $8 to get in but Oahu residents get in free. If you want a short tour of a beautiful temple and fees the koi fish and birds, this is the place for you. read more

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The Byodo-In Temple is a must see if your in Hawaii, I have never experienced something like that ever!! The grounds are absolutely picturesque and the temple is so peaceful. They have a gift shop and places to feed the koi fish and other vendors with handmade goods. There are many things to learn and enjoy here. Parking can be a little bit tricky with buses and cars both visiting. This place is magical and I see why parking lot is so congested. read more

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New management company wants your money. Prepare to pay 6 bucks for parking. Or you can say you parked on the upper road and avoid this nonsense. Entry fee has risen dramatically, so as fish food - 6 bucks for a tiny bag worth maybe 20 cents. Oh, yes, now there are a lot of merchants selling junk. This place is not worth a visit now, unless you have extra 40 bucks to gift to greedy corporations. read more

We've been coming to Oahu for several years and we just found out about Byodo Temple only now. We were staying in Aulani and it took us 50 minutes to get there. You'll enter a cemetery and the road will take you to the end where it's located. Parking is limited so depending on what day or hours, you'll end up parking at a distance. There's an entrance fee and there's also a senior rate. Once you walk inside, you feel like you're in Japan. You'll be amazed at the architecture of the temple. Before going inside the temple, you'll be greeted with a huge bell. Everyone lined up to try to bang the big bell. The bell has a meaning and banging the bell or 'sacred bell' was cast in Osaka, Japan with the assistance of the Japanese government. The brass bell is over 6 feet high with a bottom diameter of 57 inches and weighs over seven tons. It is housed in a bell house or kane-tsuki-do', and closely resembles the bell hanging at the Byodo-In in Japan. The original bell has been hanging in Japan for over nine centuries and was most likely crafted in India, it is one of the three most famous bells in Japan. Renown for its shape, sound, and calligraphy! The bell is separated into four sections depicting the Buddhist concept of heaven The main building is the Temple which houses a huge Buddha or a structure of their god. Surrounded by this compound is a stream of water with Koi fish. There are so many of them and you'll be amazed by their different sizes. If you haven't been to Japan, this place gives you a feeling and resembles the look of a temple in Japan. read more

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WHEN: Mon @11am Since it was a weekday, it wasn't so packed. We lucked out with nearby parking, which is parking. Admissions are: $5 - Adults $2 - Kids It's a lot smaller than I thought, but still a nice spot to check out. They have a gift shop, where you can buy a pack of food that feeds both the fish and birds there for only $2 They also have a smoothie booth to buy fresh smoothies and coconut juice. There are peacocks around too...well we spotted one. We were there for just under an hour. read more

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Byodo-In Temple is a smaller replica of the historic Japanese Buddhist temple in Uji, Japan. It is located at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park and is a landmark in O'ahu. My husband and I went around 4:00 P.M. The last time to enter is 4:15 P.M. When you arrive, you have to pay a small fee for entrance, but the prices are quite reasonable. We were greeted warmly by the customer service representative at entrance. Once you enter, you are welcomed by the serene and peaceful atmosphere, picturesque views, meditation sites, manicured grounds, and tranquility. The ponds filled with koi were beautiful, and the large brass bell was interactive. You can also purchase food from the gift shop to feed the koi fish. The temple was sacred, which allowed us to reflect and pray. Due to the sanctity of the temple, you must remove your shoes before entering. Overall, we enjoyed our experience at Byodo-In Temple and look forward to visiting the real Byodo-In in Uji, Japan! read more

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The best Japanese style temple in the U.S. At least that Im aware of. I had been to Oahu on multiple occasions prior to becoming aware of this temple. I'm so thankful to a friend who recommended we visit. The property is so peaceful (at least on a recent weekday when we visited), and very representative of Shinto and Buddhist shrines in Japan. Check it out. You wont be disappointed. One strategy to keep it peaceful is to let the tour busses full of people go ahead and do there thing and time your visit so its not right on top of theirs. Bang the bell. Watch the koi fish. Take your shoes off and be reverent. Its a spiritual thing. read more

In our travels, we've visited a number of temples. Each has their unique characteristics and Byodo-In Temple is no different. To get to the temple you must first drive through a multi denomination cemetery. Those it may seem macabre, seeing how different cultures treat and respect their dead can be fascinating and educational. The temple and the cemetery are not theme parks so reverence and respect should be the order of the day. The temple is stunning replica of Japan's Uji Byodo-In Temple and offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. Its architecture is masterful, with intricate details. It is tucked away with a spectacular mountain backdrop. The lushness of its surroundings gives it a stunning look. I visited in both sunshine and rain. It was worth it both times. The main attraction in the Valley of the Temples is a Japanese temple called Byodo-in, which translates to the "Temple of Equality." A scale replica of a temple in Uji Japan and made entirely without nails, Byodo-in was dedicated in 1968 as a centennial commemoration of the first Japanese immigrants in Hawaiʻi. There is a serene atmosphere. A giant bell greets you almost immediately. Guests are free to ring it, and its sounds add to the serenity. A path leads you to smaller temples and contemplation areas. Coy ponds surround the main temple which houses a large statue of Buddha. Buddhism is practiced world wide, this gives you a glimpse into its practice in Japan. While society always seem to be in a rush and prefer photos over experience these days, the Byodo In-Temple beckons you to pause, be in the moment, be present. It calls you to reflect and contemplate. read more

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Great experience. Parking might be tough to find depending on time of day. I was surprised by how many Koi fishes there were.

In 4 trips to the islands over a span of 20 years, I had always, and I mean *ALWAYS* wanted to come see the Temple. This year, on our first ever family/multi-generational trip to Oah'u, we visited Byodi-In together and it was worth the wait. First, let me preface this by saying that in spite of petty complaints in some reviews, the days, operating hours & last time to enter are CLEARLY posted and info on their website in up to date. Additionally, it gives all the info you'd need to plan a visit, eg dress code, conduct, ticket info (including kamaaina rate!) how long it'll take to tour the grounds, and much more. Any conscientious visitor could take just a few minutes to read what is expected before visiting a sacred place and now make complains afterwards. *steps off soapbox* That aside, the grounds and gardens are stunning and the Temple itself is magnificent. This isn't a tourist trap; it's a place of worship. The ENTIRE Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is a sight, and well worth the few dollars to stop along the way to see this gem. This Temple is a replica of the original found in Uji, Japan. Buddhists and non-Buddhists will be enthralled at it's beauty, serenity, quiet dignity and Aloha. Hawaii is so full of culture and must-not-miss historical stops, this is definitely one to include in your Oah'u sightseeing. read more

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A beautiful breathtaking place to visit that is humbling. This temple has a cemetery, koi ponds, a large gong that the public can sound. Must take your shoes off when passing inside the temple. There are fish food for purchase, $2 a bag. The kids had fun feeding the many Koi fish in the pond. There are also art, souvenirs, gong replicas, snacks and jewelry. Come and see the amazing tame and feel the spiritual surroundings and view the peaceful sights. Definitely worth it! read more

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I came here with a tour group and honestly, I have no clue how our driver was able to get the small tour bus in backward. Parking is tight! This is not a Buddhist temple with monks or services, but more of a mortuary / show temple in the middle of a cemetery complex. It's apparently based off of a temple by the same name in Japan. There are people trying to sell your burial plots right at the entrance of the temple which seems a bit gauche. On the exit side of the temple, there is a small building that houses gift shops and I believe a snack stall where you can buy koi and bird food. People were feeding fish and birds that are clearly used to people because they were landing in people's hands for photo ops. There is a giant bell outside and it seemed like everyone was taking turns ringing it with a giant striker while getting their photo taken for social media. Basically this temple is a big spot for photos and buying souvenirs and not much else. I'm not Buddhist and I wouldn't have stopped in if it wasn't a tour stop on the bus I was on. It's pretty but not my thing. Visited September 2024 read more

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Friday, August 23, 2024: This was the second stop of the E Noa Majestic Circle Island Tour. This temple and its backdrop are so picturesque and serene it seems surreal. The overcast day did not take away from the beauty and tranquility of this sacred place. Highly recommend stopping here! read more

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This beautiful place was once a true gem to visit when coming to Oahu. Since my last time here, they are now charging for not only access to see this temple, but also for parking. I see this as a necessity to keep the temple beautiful and maintain the grounds, however, I did not think that it was very welcoming. Also,2 side entrance to the temple is now set up with vendors as well. I get you have to make money, but don't think the Buddhist of Japan would fully approve of the racket. Instead of a place of worship, it is quickly becoming an income stream. Just my two cents. read more

What a wonderful hidden gem! We had a few hours to kill before our flight out and decided to stop here. So glad we did! It's gorgeous. The price is reasonable to get in and it's so peaceful. I'm sure it gets busy during tourist season but it wasn't too bad while we were there. Don't forget to take your shoes off before entering the temple. And do yourself a favor and buy the food for the fish and birds. Thank me later! read more

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Simply incredible and must stop by. It is within a much larger memorial park. Best koi fish. Super easy parking and close to the temple grounds. There are local artist vendors (Grocken, who paints the temple cat TomTom) and a small gift shop where you can buy fish food. Visit for the serenity. read more

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From the pictures we were expecting a serene atmosphere and a longer experience. Sadly that's not what we experienced. Hundreds of people were there, mostly respectful. There was a very long line waiting to ring the bell. There is a beautiful coy pond and some benches. But I hardly felt relaxed with the amount of people roaming around. There were people selling items and a gift shop. It felt more commercialized than I was expecting. I won't go back but I'm glad I saw it. The rest of the grounds driving in seemed just as amazing and you don't have to pay. read more

I haven't been here since I was a young adult decided to bring my young adult children so they could also experience the beauty and culture. Happy to see People from all over the world taking their time out to come, view, experience and pay respect. Reasonable entry fee of $5; parking was a concern but opened up in a matter of minutes. If you have the time and on the East Side of Oahu (Kaneohe) I highly recommend. read more

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A very peaceful place "eternal resort ". It is beautiful and relaxing. Not great for accessibility, uneven ground. I managed on a mobility scooter but a wheelchair might be challenging. Enjoy the traditional Japanese architecture. It is a cemetery so please be respectful. Parking is tight. read more

Byodo-In Temple - Temple - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Kaneohe, Hawaii

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Wow, what an experience! A must see and must do for when visiting, Oahu. Had no idea this place even existed but after discovering I cannot recommend enough! Such an incredible and peaceful experience, truly a feast for the eyes. It's super affordable to enter and card only, no cash. Expect to stay anywhere from an hour to two hours here. Enjoy the sights and sounds and everything in between, you will not be disappointed! read more

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Totally worth checking out. What a beautiful spiritual place and the view is unreal with the mountains rising up from behind the temple. It was roughly $5 per person and we were on the tour around the island and this was one of the early stops. FYI - No shoes allowed in the temple. No problem. You get to light an incense which is very cool. You can buy fish food at the gift shop - totally worth it! I also bought some souvenirs there too. I also bought a fortune and then tied it to a tree outside. Lots of great photo ops. Some peacocks roaming around. What a beautiful and peaceful place. I also think the samurai cemetery is really neat that they are there to protect the temple. read more

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