It began in 1052 when Fujiwara no Yorimichi converted the Uji-den, the villa of his father, Fujiwara no Michinaga, into a temple. The seated statue of Amida Nyorai, created by Jocho, a Buddhist sculptor who established the Yosegi-zukuri technique, is known as a masterpiece of Japanese-style sculpture. The museum Hoshokan, which houses 26 Unchu Kuyo Bodhisattva statues, is also a must-see.
Every year from mid-April to early May, about 10,000 wisteria flowers bloom on the wisteria trellis next to Kannon-do. During the fall foliage season, the maple trees along the Aji Pond in front of the Phoenix Hall are colored and reflected on the surface of the water together with the Phoenix Hall, creating a beautiful scenery.