Byodo-in

Byodo-in is a buddhist temple located in Kyoto. It was originally built in 998 during Heian period as a rural villa of a high ranking nobleman. After that, its ownership was transferred several times. In 1052, Fujiwara no Yorimichi made it into a buddhist temple -an origin of current Byodo-in, which now has registered in the World Heritage. Fujiwara no Yorimichi was one of the most powerful members of the Fujiwara clan, one of the most prestigious families in Japan which is continuing even now.

The most attractive structure of Byodo-in is Hoo-do, which means phoenix hall. The name comes from its design; there are two phoenix statues on the roof of it. Hoo-do, also is used as a motif for the design of Japanese 10 yen coin and 10 thousand yen bill. Phoenix hall, as its name suggests, has been surviving from Heian Period, not destroyed by natural disasters, while other structures in the site were repeatedly lost to fires and other calamities over the centuries.