Byodo-in was built in 998 as a villa and not as a temple for Fujiwara no Michinaga.
He was a very important and influential politician. His son changed it to a temple and built up the Phoenix Hall which is its most magnificent element.
Phoenix Hall is called “houdou” in Japanese because of its shape and the two phoenix statues on its roof.
You can see the hall on the back of the Japanese 10 yen coin.
In Byodo-in, you will realize that Buddhist Pure Land really exists.
It is the fascinating example of Buddhist Pure Land architecture.