Renovations at Uji Temple Kyoto

鳳凰堂、平安の姿に　平等院が塗装色や瓦変更へ

Uji's Byodoin Temple is undergoing a face lift, its first in 60 years.

The temple is going to be restored to its Heian Period glory, in the hopes of making it look as it did when it was first built 900 years ago.

To do so, the walls are going to be made redder, and the tiles on the roof replaced.

The work continues until April 2014, and when complete should resemble the top photo. Below that is the Phoenix Hall prior to the beginning of renovation work.

Part of the work will use red lead from the previous renovations, which took place from 1950 - 1957. In addition, to achieve a red earth color iron oxide powder and ochre will be mixed.

On the roof, 90% of the 45,000 tiles will be replaced.

Byodoin Temple

Daily 9 am - 5 pm (to 4 pm in winter)

116 Uji Renge, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture 611-0021

Tel: 0774 21 2861

Admission to the grounds: 600 yen; 500 yen more for admission to Phoenix Hall

Photo©Kyoto Shinbun


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Purse Snatching in Uji Bicycle

宇治西部中心にひったくり多発　１ヵ月半で１７件

In the tourist town of Uji, outside of Kyoto, there were 17 cases of purse snatching from May 22 to the end of June.

Most were carried out by men on scooters who stealthily approach from behind a person on foot or on a bike.

For those on bikes in Japan - especially older women out shopping - a protective net is de rigueur. You strap it on the top of your bike basket so that your purse or belongings cannot be taken.

Many of the incidents took place in the vicinity of the JR Nara line. The total amount of cash taken was 400,000 yen ($4,000).

Of the 17 victims, 16 were women. Ten of them were riding a bicycle at the time of the theft.

Japan is still much much safer than the almost any country in the world. However, there is a fair amount of bike theft and purse snatching.

Photo©Kyoto Shinbun

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Rainy Season Kyoto Uji Hydrangea Mimurotoji Temple

アジサイ　雨待ち遠し　三室戸寺、試験点灯 印刷用画面を開く

In spite of high summer-like weather - highs are expected to hit 35 (96 F) in Kyoto today - it is rainy season.

That means hydrangeas.

In Uji, Mimurotoji Temple is as good a spot as any to enjoy the flowers.

The temple, which is in the northern hills of Uji, was founded roughly 1200 years ago. It is famed for its flowers, and is a good spot any time of year.

From June 15 - 30, the flowers will be illuminated every night from 7 - 9 pm.

Access on public transportation

Bus number 43 runs between JR Uji Station, Keihan Uji Station, and Mimurotoji Temple. It takes 20 minutes from JR Uji Station to Mimurotoji Temple and costs 220 yen. For those willing to brave the heat, it will take about 15 minutes to walk there from Keihan Mimuroto Station or about 20 minutes from Keihan Uji Station or Uji Bridge.

Cycling

It is 90 minutes to Uji from central Kyoto. Follow the map below.


View Cycling Kyoto to Uji in a larger map


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Kyoto News Byodoin Temple Phoenix Hall Repair Work to Start in September

京都宇治平等院鳳凰（ほうおう）堂の修理を9月に始める

South of Kyoto, in Uji, is the World Heritage site Byodoin Temple.

Byodoin was first constructed in 998 CE as the rural villa of Fujiwara no Michinaga. Like many other such villas, it was later converted to a temple.

In this case, Fujiwara no Yorimichi did so in 1052.

Its best known building is the Phoenix Hall. It was constructed 1053, and is the only remaining original building.

That building will be closed for repairs starting September. The work will last a year and a half, and during that time, the fabled hall will not just be closed to the public but sheathed in a protective sheet.

The ride from Kyoto to Uji takes from 90 minutes to two hours.

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Bicycle Lane Uji Kyoto

京都宇治市自転車専用レーン

A bike lane has sprouted out in suburban Uji.

While driving back from a night in an inn deep in rural Nara, we were headed back to Kyoto via central Uji.

This part of Uji is Okubo and is an exurban area of factories and bypasses and the local tax bureau.

It is not an area one would associate with cycling beyond short, local trips to the supermarket or convenience store.

However, the busy street that runs west from Okubo Station past the tax man and onto the Nissan factory has a bike lane.

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Cycling Byodoin Temple Uji Kyoto

自転車で平等院へ

Byodoin Temple, in Uji, is one of Japan's best known temples.

It was first built in 998 C.E. as a rural villa for Fujiwara no Michinaga, a member of the Fujiwara clan.

Byodoin was converted, in 1052, to a Buddhist temple.

In the past, Uji was a a bit like the Hamptons: a retreat away from the big city for the super rich.

The temple's most famous building, the Phoenix Hall, was built in 1053, and is the only original structure left. The others were destroyed during a civil war.

The grounds are fairly small, but the gardens are quite simple and beautiful.

In addition, the Byodoin museum has on display many of the temple's treasures.

In December 1994, UNESCO listed the temple as a World Heritage Site.

Cycling to Uji from Kyoto takes about 90 minutes, two hours if you go slow and or take breaks. Two routes are possible: along the Katsura River, then via Fushimi and Route 7; or, alternatively, going south by Tofukuji Temple and Fushimi Inari on Route 24 to Route 7.

Except for a stretch from Rokujizo heading south towards Uji, the riding is mostly good and safe. South of Rokujizo, there are places where there is no sidewalk.

Information

Byodoin Temple
Daily 9 am - 5 pm (to 4 pm in winter)

116 Uji Renge, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture 611-0021

Tel: 0774 21 2861

Admission to the grounds: 600 yen; 500 yen more for admission to Phoenix Hall



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