庭園
Landscape

Superb scenery presenting
the Buddha and the Buddhist Pure Land

平等院庭園
01

Byodoin Temple Garden平等院庭園

[Historic and Scenic Beauty Site]

Byodoin Temple garden follows the Jodo Garden style flourished during the Heian period (8-12th century) which recreated the Buddhist Pure Land. Phoenix Hall (Hou-ou-do), Aji-ike Pond, the Uji River and the mountain backdrop create one perfect picture which Heian-period aristocrats aspired to try representing the Buddhist Pure Land. Since it is the oldest Jodo Garden completed in the Heian period, the garden is designated as a National Historic and Scenic Beauty Site.

  • 洲浜
  • 平等院型灯籠
  • 平橋・反橋

Temple MapModel Course (50 min.)Model Course (90 min.)

洲浜

Suhama Sandbar

Excavation research in the garden grounds in 1990 revealed that there was a big winding sandbar in the garden. The sandbar, created in the Heian period (8-12th century), was formed with a mat of fist-size stones and made a gentle curve at the water's edge. The present sandbar is a perfect recreation of the one from the Heian period.

平等院型灯籠

Byodoin Temple Lantern

There is one lantern standing in front of Phoenix Hall with a unique design. The fire box where fire is made is larger than usual ones and two sides are open. It is said that this unique structure was made in the hope of giving more light to the Amida Buddha (Amida Nyorai).

平橋・反橋

Hira-bashi Flat Bridge and Sori-bashi Arched Bridge

Excavation research has revealed that there were two small bridges, one flat and the other arched, connecting the north bank of the pond and north wing corridor. The bridges were restored in 2000 following the exact form of how they appeared in the Heian period.