4/5 Aiyana H. 2 years ago on Google
We
visited
this
establishment
on
Thursday,
our
fourth
day
in
Oahu.
I
called
ahead
before
we
arrived
to
book
a
tour
of
the
temple,
but
they
do
not
offer
tours.
We
actually
passed
by
the
Valley
of
the
Temples
Memorial
Park
on
our
way
to
Kualoa
Ranch
on
Wednesday
and
had
no
idea
the
Byodo
In
Temple
was
located
in
there!
Upon
arrival
in
the
Memorial
Park,
there
were
great
signs
to
show
which
direction
to
go
towards
to
reach
the
Temple.
The
beautiful
grounds
of
the
Valley
of
the
Temples
Memorial
Park
is
the
final
resting
place
of
many
who
have
fallen.
In
the
back
of
the
park
is
where
the
Byodo-In
Temple
was
located.
There
is
very
little
parking,
but
there
are
parking
attendants
to
inform
patrons
of
where
they
should
park
as
they
come
in.
Parking
is
free
of
charge
as
well.
Upon
arrival
there
is
a
booth
where
an
attendant
takes
payment
for
entry.
The
cost
is
$5
per
person
which
can
be
payed
via
cash
or
card.
After
we
payed,
we
walked
across
a
beautiful
bridge
to
the
main
area
of
the
temple
grounds.
To
the
left
there
is
the
Bon-sho
(sacred
bell)
which
visitors
lined
up
for
to
take
photos
and
videos
ringing
the
bell.
The
bell
is
said
to
ward
off
evil
and
promote
positivity
and
good
will
in
one’s
life.
My
boyfriend
and
I
took
videos
of
each
other
ringing
the
bell.
Some
people
rung
the
bell
quite
hard,
but
we
tried
to
be
respectful
of
the
temple
and
ring
the
bell
a
bit
softer.
Ringing
that
bell
was
an
exhilarating
experience
and
made
me
feel
at
peace
and
balanced
within
myself.
We
proceeded
to
take
photos
in
front
of
the
temple
itself
which
was
a
simply
breathtaking
backdrop!
It
was
so
awe-inspiring
it
almost
appeared
to
be
a
fake
backdrop.
The
surrounding
ponds
were
filled
with
nice
healthy
size
koi
fish
which
swam
around
excitedly.
We
did
get
bitten
a
couple
of
times
by
mosquitoes
so
I
would
recommend
visitors
wear
bug
spray
to
avoid
this.
We
took
photos
at
the
white
awning
nearby
and
went
upward
towards
another
statue
to
pose
with.
There
were
other
visitors
sitting
at
what
appeared
to
be
a
meditation
area
so
we
couldn’t
get
photos
there.
Afterwards
we
got
into
the
line
to
visit
the
Amina
Buddha
where
you
are
required
to
take
your
shoes
off
and
wear
a
mask
upon
entering.
We
placed
our
shoes
at
the
front
of
the
temple
entrance.
Upon
entrance
of
the
temple,
the
Buddha
is
beheld
with
grandness
and
splendor.
Visitors
are
permitted
to
say
a
prayer
and
light
incense
in
front
of
the
Buddha.
Unfortunately
there
was
a
very
rude
woman
who
almost
crossed
paths
with
my
boyfriend
after
he
said
his
prayer
and
lit
his
incense.
I
suggest
they
have
someone
to
stand
and
moderate
entry
and
exit
towards
the
Buddha
so
visitors
can
all
get
their
allotted
amount
of
time
to
pray
and
light
incense.
As
we
were
exiting
the
temple,
it
appeared
there
was
a
staff
person
and
a
sign
that
stated
free
tours
of
the
temple.
I
am
unsure
what
part
of
the
grounds
this
encompassed.
We
went
outside
and
there
were
vendors
selling
merchandise
and
a
fortune
tree
which
visitors
can
tie
bad
fortunes
onto.
The
fortunes
can
be
purchased
at
the
Tea
House
Gift
shop.
There
was
a
line
to
enter
the
gift
shop,
since
they
only
allow
6
people
at
a
time
inside.
Inside
the
gift
shop
were
so
many
Japanese
souvenirs
which
included
clothing,food,
figurines,
and
more.
Unfortunately
they
did
not
have
any
sugarcane
juice
since
I
read
in
another
review
that
is
something
good
to
get.
They
also
didn’t
know
where
I
could
get
this
juice
from
on
the
grounds.
I
wonder
if
the
empty
stand
area
next
to
the
ticket
booth
at
the
front
was
where
it
is
usually
sold?
Upon
exiting
the
temple
we
saw
cats
which
were
quite
relaxed
and
seemed
to
look
right
at
home.
I
would
recommend
tourists
and
locals
visit
the
Byodo-In
Temple
to
pay
homage
to
the
rich
and
historic
Japanese
influence
in
Oahu.
This
little
piece
of
Japan
is
an
outward
expression
of
Hawaii’s
unity
with
the
people
and
the
fusion
of
Hawaiian
and
Japanese
culture.
This
can
be
seen
in
the
cuisine
and
cultural
practices
which
have
been
staples
of
Hawaii
for
many
years.
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