The Byodo-In Temple is situated at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park was established on June, 1968 to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The Byodo-In was built entirely without the use of nails.

It is a scale replica of a temple at Uji Japan that was constructed over 900 years ago. The Byodo-In is built to represent the mythical phoenix, its wings upheld by pillars of stone. Folklore tells of the phoenix arising from the ashes to reflect the promises of hope and renewal.

The statue of the Buddha inside the temple is thought to be the largest figure carved since ancient times. Towering more than 18 feet, the immense figure is an original work of art carved by the famous Japanese sculptor, Masuzo Inui.When the carving was completed, it was covered with cloth and painted with three applications of gold lacquer, gold leaf was later applied over the lacquer finish.