Byodo-In Temple, Oahu

Located near the Eastern Shore of Oahu in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, the Byodo-In Temple in Hawaii is a non-denomination shrine and half-sized replica of the Byodo-In Buddhist Temple found in Kyoto, Japan. It was constructed in 1968 to commemorate the centennial of the first Japanese immigrants to come to Hawaii.

During my road trip around Oahu, I stopped here to tour the lush gardens and temple. Massive koi ponds surround the Byodo-In Temple, and as onlookers tossed fish food into the ponds the koi were stirred into a playful frenzy. The incredible scenery made it easy to get lost in my thoughts, and as I wandered I continued to marvel at the epic surroundings I found myself exploring.