My second visit to Byodoin in Uji. Phoenix Hall sits in the middle of Aji Pond, its vermilion structure reflected on the water. It looks impressive from every angle, especially when sunlight makes the golden phoenixes on the roof stand out.
I recommend paying extra to tour the interior of Phoenix Hall. Seeing the golden Amida Buddha up close, surrounded by the variously posed Praying Bodhisattvas on Clouds, is both solemn and intricate, and truly more awe-inspiring than viewing them from across the pond. Photography isn't allowed, but that lets you focus on the thousand-year-old Buddhist statues and murals before you. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with flowers and trees changing through the seasons. Walking beside the pond in the gentle breeze and looking at Phoenix Hall's reflection naturally slows you down.
Photography is prohibited inside the Hoshokan Museum, so engage all five senses and take it in. The exhibits include the temple bell, Praying Bodhisattvas on Clouds, a pair of phoenixes, and the Standing Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva, an Important Cultural Property. The Praying Bodhisattvas on Clouds are especially memorable. Their poses—flying on clouds, playing music, dancing, and pressing their palms together—symbolize the Pure Land of Bliss.
Overall, Byodoin isn't just a place to see architecture and take pictures. You can also experience the aesthetics and Pure Land faith of the Heian period. If you visit Uji, it's well worth setting aside time to stroll around and appreciate it at a leisurely pace.
Byodoin Temple Museum Hoshokan | Review by 周黛西
Other Reviews by 周黛西
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JR Central Towers
A building directly connected to the terminal station, consisting of two towers with a height of over 200m. Department stores JR Nagoya Takashimaya, Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, restaurants, offices, etc. are combined.
Nagoya Station brings together transportation, dining, department stores, and specialty shops. Meitetsu, Kintetsu, and JR all converge here, and the surrounding area is packed with high-rises, making it lively and bustling. Besides looking around this time, I also wanted to visit an “old friend”—Nana-chan. She happened to be getting a wardrobe change today and was dressed in a cool outfit. Cool!
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Kayanoya
A former soy-sauce storehouse turned specialty ingredients shop. Kayanoya has spent 120 years helping more people enjoy “Washoku”, the world-recognized intangible cultural heritage of Japanese cuisine, with easy to use ingredients.
Kayanoya dashi packets are very user-friendly for someone like me who isn't good at cooking. No matter what kind of dish you want to make, just add a dashi packet—even plain water can be transformed into something special.
The Kayanoya on Dazaifu Omotesando offers a limited-edition “Japanese-Style Plum Dashi Packet.” The cute packaging makes it perfect as a gift or for yourself. They also have a limited-edition plum vinegar drink that's refreshing, thirst-quenching, and perfect for cooling off. So good! -
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Fukusaya Nagasaki main store
Castella, a sponge cake brought to Nagasaki in the mid-16th century along with Nanban trade, quickly became a favorite across Japan thanks to its fluffy deliciousness and high nutritional value. It was particularly embraced by students who came to Nagasaki from all over Japan to study medicine and Dutch studies.
When visiting Kyushu, besides ramen and mentaiko, Fukusaya’s Nagasaki castella is also a classic souvenir many travelers bring home. It may look simple, but each bite has details that keep you coming back for more.
When you open the package, you’re first greeted by a light honey and egg aroma. The cake is neatly precut into ten equal slices. Pick one up, and its soft, slightly moist texture builds anticipation before you even taste it. With a gentle bite, the dense, delicate cake slowly melts on your tongue as the sweet honey and rich egg flavors mingle. The sweetness is noticeable but not cloying, and as you chew, you can also feel the cake’s soft, springy texture.
The real surprise comes in the last bite.
The bottom of Fukusaya’s Nagasaki castella is lined with its famous coarse zarame sugar crystals. As you chew, tiny crunching sounds suddenly emerge from the soft cake. Sometimes the sugar is slightly loose, while other times it has a crisp, grainy texture. The sweetness also becomes more pronounced at this moment, taking the texture from soft and moist to a delicate crunch and creating a layered contrast. Fukusaya saves this surprise for the cake’s final bite.
Pair it with a cup of hot black tea, and the tea’s aroma slightly balances the cake’s sweetness. With coffee, a touch of bitterness complements the honey’s sweetness. Eat slowly and savor each bite, and you’ll find that it isn’t simply a “honey cake.” Its soft, moist, sweet, and slightly crunchy textures come together to create a distinctly Japanese delicacy.
There are different sizes and gift boxes to choose from, and both the original and chocolate flavors have their own character. The chocolate version doesn’t have coarse sugar on the bottom, but the top is generously covered with chopped walnuts and raisins. It’s equally suitable for enjoying yourself or giving as a souvenir.
If you’re planning to take it back to Taiwan, there’s no need to carry the castella around throughout your trip. You can wait and buy it at Fukuoka Airport, saving yourself the trouble of lugging it around while traveling. For travelers, that’s a practical little convenience--a delicious souvenir you can buy at the last minute instead of carrying it from the first day of your trip. -
