The Valley of the Temples is a memorial park that houses several temples and buildings with clear Buddhist, Shinto, Protestant, and Catholic influences that you can explore. Most of the area is well-maintained green space, but you'll find some impressive buildings as well.
Anyone looking to find some peace and tranquility will enjoy this area. As this is a memorial park and a place of burial for Hawaii residents, a quiet respect is the norm here. Most people spend about 2 or 3 hours here, though it doesn't take that long to see the highlights. Most visitors are simply enamored with the tranquil atmosphere.
Valley of the Temples - one of the highlights of 10 Best Things to Do in Sicily (Read all about Honolulu here)
Valley of the Temples highlights
The most iconic aspect of the Valley of the Temples is the Byodo-In Temple. This temple is a replica of the 11th-century temple of the same name in Uji, Japan. Not only is admiring the design itself an easy way to feel like you're traveling to the past, but inside you'll also find an Amida Buddha statue that reaches a height of 9 feet.
Catholic influence is also apparent throughout the memorial park. You'll find several statues depicting iconography important to Catholics like the Virgin Mary and the Passion of Christ. Impressive crypts and mausoleums can be found here as well.
Good to know when visiting Valley of the Temples
Before you visit the Valley of the Temples, be sure to keep a few things in mind. This is a private memorial park, so there's an admission fee to enter. Additionally, you can book a tour of the entire park by contacting the events coordinator. Of course, you're welcome to explore on your own for the price of admission.
Photos at the temple are allowed, so don't hesitate to snap pictures of the iconic sights. Just remember that drones are not allowed here. Pets are also prohibited, though exceptions are made in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Valley of the Temples
Location: 47-200 Kahekili Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm
Phone: +1 808-725-2798
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