Luxury Plan: Byodoin Temple, Illuminations, & Tea Ceremony

Byodoin Temple is a cherished UNESCO World Heritage Site visited by over 1 million people from Japan (and beyond) each year and a testament to Japan’s rich cultural heritage. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will give you, our guests, access to Byodoin Temple grounds for a special illumination experience and exclusive tea ceremony experience. This special tour is limited to 40 guests per day and is only available across 4 days from the 18th to the 21st of October 2023. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony, including a selection of high-quality Japanese teas, enjoy an Imperial Court music and dance (Gagagaku) performance, and gain priority entrance to the evening illumination event and tour. Included in this experience: Phoenix Hall (Hou-ou-do) illumination The Museum Hoshokan Japanese Imperial Court music and dance (Gagaku) performance A tea ceremony at Nakamura Tokichi Honten (Byodoin location) The story of Byodoin Temple traces its roots back to the Heian period in the 10th century. Uji has a long history of being nestled amidst scenic mountains and rivers, making it a haven for aristocrats who built numerous villas in this area during the Heian period. Among them, Michinaga Fujiwara, a prominent political figure, owned a villa, and his son, Yorimichi Fujiwara, constructed Byodoin Temple. Despite the Fujiwara clan's decline, Uji gained renown for its tea production, fostering the growth of tea culture while preserving the legacy of Byodoin Temple through the ages.