This Priority Mail stamp features a colorful illustration of the Byodo-In Temple, a popular tourist attraction in Hawaii. A smaller-scale concrete replica of a wooden Buddhist temple in Japan, the Byodo-In Temple is located in a private cemetery on the island of O‘ahu. Built in 1968 to commemorate the centennial of the first Japanese immigration to Hawaii, the temple is used for ceremonies, services, and events such as classes and concerts.
The Byodo-In Temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple that welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate, or simply appreciate its beauty. The temple grounds are often used for wedding ceremonies for Hawaiians or visitors from Japan.
The temple grounds are expertly landscaped and impeccably maintained. They include traditional Japanese gardens and a 2-acre koi pond. The smell of fresh lavender and the sounds of the trickling brooks and chirping sparrows make for a peaceful and restful stop away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. Peacocks wander the grounds displaying their beautiful feathers.