Byodo-In Temple

Resting at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains, the Byodo-In Temple was built to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants that came to Hawaii. This beautiful Buddhist temple is a smaller-scale replica of an over 950 year old Buddhist temple in Uji, Japan.

The temple grounds host wildlife such as hundreds of koi, black swans, and peacocks replicate a feeling of being in a different country.

The best time to visit the temple is early in the morning before the tourist group buses begin to arrive. The grounds are open from 9am to 5pm daily and tourist usually arrive around 11am. I went just around 10am and there were around a dozen other visitors there with me so you could still get a sense of tranquility on the grounds. This temple is a must visit if you are traveling to Oahu and happen to be in Kaneohe.