The temple is just a few blocks off the highway. You will follow the signs for The Valley of the Temples, which will wind around a local cemetery. At the end of the road, there will be a small gatehouse where a $2 per person admission fee is collected. Once past the gate, you will get your first glimpse of this magnificent temple. It's breathtaking. I have seen it at least 10 times, and each time I see it, I am in awe.

The temple is a replica of a 900-year-old temple in Uji, Japan. This temple was completed and dedicated in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the islands. The temple is built entirely without nails and fits together like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

The large temple looks small, with a steep green mountain as its backdrop. The colors of the red temple, with the green backdrop and the almost always Hawaiian blue sky, is vivid.

You will cross a wooden bridge from the parking lot. One of the first things you will see on the temple grounds is the sacred bell. This bell is 3 tons and almost 7 feet tall. You pull a large log on a rope to ring the bell. By ringing the bell, it will clear your mind of all evil temptations. The sound of the lingering tone is mysterious but calming.

You will follow the path to the main temple. Once at the temple, it is required that you remove your shoes. The Buddha is 18 feet high and is the largest Buddha carved in over 900 years. The Buddha is seated on a lotus flower. The statue is huge, and you feel small when standing in front of him.

Once outside, you will be at the Tea House and Gift Shop. The Tea House is surrounded by ponds of hundreds of koi. The carp in these ponds live to be over 100 years old and are very large. You can buy food at the gift shop and watch the carp fight for a few feed pellets thrown into the water. I have to admit that this was the kids’ favorite part of this experience.

The temple is serene and peaceful. I feel tranquil every time I visit this place. On this trip we must have had good temple karma. There were only three people besides us on the temple grounds. It made this visit peaceful and calm. When we were walking back to our car, at least 4 cars pulled into the parking lot and a bus was unloading school kids on a field trip, all yelling and shouting in hopes of being the first to ring the temple bell. We had gotten here and left just in time!

On your walk to the temple from the parking lot, you'll first go over a picturesque bridge. To the left of the bridge is a five foot, three ton brass Peace bell which, when you ring it, is suppose to cleanse your mind of evil and temptation. You're suppose to ring it once before entering the temple. You're also suppose to remove your shoes before you walk through the temple. Inside the temple, you'll find a 9 foot golden Buddha overlooking the koi pond. Quite a majestic site! As you continue along the path on the other side of the temple, you'll find a small gift shop. Aside from the beautiful grounds and temple, there were odd looking birds wandering around, too. We were told they are Japanese peacocks.

As you ride out, look for the interesting Buddhist burial plots and stones along the road.

It is open 8:30am - 4:30pm daily and admission is $2 per person.