Uji is the perfect day trip from Kyoto, just a 30-minute train ride away. This small town is famous for its rich tea culture and is rightfully considered the matcha capital of Japan. Tea houses and specialty shops line nearly every street. At the heart of the city stands the iconic Byodo-in Temple, which is depicted on Japan’s 10-yen coin. History lovers will also find Uji fascinating – several chapters of The Tale of Genji, one of the greatest works of classical Japanese literature, are set here.
If you love matcha and want a break from tourist-crowded Kyoto, this is the place to be. Here’s what to see and try in Uji in 1 day and how to get there from Kyoto.
Byodo-in Temple and Phoenix Hall
Byodo-in is a famous Buddhist temple located near Kyoto. It was founded in 998 as a countryside villa for the powerful statesman Fujiwara no Michinaga. His son later converted the villa into a temple and built its most remarkable structure — the Phoenix Hall. This very hall is the one depicted on Japan’s 10-yen coin. The Phoenix Hall is the only part of the temple that survived multiple fires and remains in its original form since 1053! On the temple grounds, you can also visit the fascinating Hoshokan Museum, which houses historical artifacts and temple treasures. Byodo-in is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Temple Byodo-in opens at 8:30 in the morning. It’ s best to get here early. Pay at the entrance to enter the grounds. As soon as you enter, go to the pond. There you will see a booth where they sell tickets to the Phoenix Hall from 9.10am (on a first-come, first-served basis). Get in line and buy another ticket (300 yen), it will be in time. Tours of the Hall are in Japanese only, you can’t take photos inside, but it’s worth it. Inside there is a giant statue of Amida Buddha and wall paintings of breathtaking beauty. The statue is carved from a whole tree of Japanese cedar and plated in gold.
To see everything in peace, plan for 1.5-2 hours. Byodo-in’s official website has several options for self-guided tours of the area. You can book a guided walking tour of Byodo-in and Uji here or here.
Matcha-Making Workshop
Uji’s fame as a tea-producing region began back in the 13th century. The area’s favorable climate and fertile soil make it ideal for growing the finest tea. Of course, the Japanese themselves played an important role too — it was here that the technique of shading tea bushes several weeks before harvest was first introduced. Farmers place natural coverings over the plants to reduce sunlight exposure. This process increases the concentration of amino acids, enhancing the umami flavor and giving the tea its bright green color. Connoisseurs say that Uji matcha is unmistakable. I personally adore tea from this region and always try to bring home a few boxes
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Uji has several specialty matcha shops. Mitsuboshien Kanbayashi Sannyu once supplied matcha to the Emperor himself. On the second floor, there’s a small museum with photos and historical articles. At this shop, you can also book a tea experience in advance, where you’ll grind the tea leaves into powder yourself (about 2,000 yen per person). After the tasting, you’ll find a variety of interesting matcha products for sale at the exit. The matcha here is excellent – don’t hesitate to buy some (I also recommend trying gyokuro tea). The shop’s symbol is three interlocking circles, so if you have trouble finding it, look for that sign.
Another popular place for tourists in Uji to make a matcha is Tea and Uji Community Center Chazuna. The tour and activity can be booked here.
What to try in Uji
Get ready for a caffeine overload – a cup of matcha contains almost as much caffeine as a cup of coffee! In Uji, it’ll be all about the matcha. Matcha experiences, matcha desserts, and food with matcha. Snack on green gyoza from the matches at Kyoto Uji TakoQ. If you want something heartier, you’ll find noodles and sweets with green powder in many of the city’s restaurants.
A popular cafe is Nakamura Tokichi Byodo-in overlooking the river. Tsuen Tea House – considered the oldest tea store in Uji. According to some reports, and one of the oldest tea houses in the world (it was opened in the early 12th century). It serves green matcha soba noodles, ice cream and tea.
One of my favorite places in Uji is a stylish cafe Matcha Republic. Here, matcha lattes are poured into exquisite bottles (like perfume) and delicious matcha desserts are made (try the tiramisu). Take it with you and drink it afterward by the river.
Take a walk along the Uji River
The landscapes of Uji are breathtaking – lush green hills and a fast-flowing river divide the town into two parts. Don’t miss the chance to take a leisurely walk along the riverside and soak in the beautiful views.
At Uji Bridge, don’t miss the statue of Murasaki Shikibu – 10th-11th century Japanese writer and author of “The Tale of Genji”. In several chapters of this literary masterpiece, the action takes place in Uji.
Uji Bridge is considered one of the oldest bridges in Japan and was first built on this site in 646! The modern version is from 1996, 155.4 meters long.
Follow the waterfront towards Asagiri Bridge. On the way, check out the Asahiyaki shop & gallery, a ceramics shop. Cross the bridge to Tachibana and Tō-no-shima islands, where Uji Park and the Ukishima Jusanjunoto Pagoda are located.
Visit other Uji temples and meet the legendary rabbit
Uji is not limited to just one Byodo-in temple. There are at least a dozen more Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples on the other side of the river.
Make sure you get to Ujigami Jinja. The Ujigami Shinto Shrine is considered the oldest surviving shrine in Japan. No official founding date has been preserved, believed to be 1060. The shrine was built as a guardian temple for Byodo-in. It is also a UNESCO Heritage site.
At Ujigami Shrine, people pray for good fortune, wisdom, and safe childbirth. Don’t forget to try your luck with a fortune slip (omikuji)! They’re sold at the entrance – and if you don’t like your fortune, tie it to the rack nearby to leave the bad luck behind.
At Ujigami Shrine and the nearby Uji Shrine, you’ll notice charms and statues shaped like rabbits. They’re connected to a local legend: Once, Prince Uji no Wakiiratsuko, the son of the 15th Emperor Ōjin, got lost during a journey. A rabbit appeared and began showing him the way — running ahead, occasionally looking back to make sure the prince was following, until it finally led him to his destination. According to one theory, this story is the origin of the name “Uji,” meaning “the rabbit’s path.”
The Nintendo Museum
Fans should also visit another fascinating new attraction in Uji – the Nintendo Museum, which opened recently. You can get there directly by train from Kyoto Station to Ogura Station (about 25 minutes). If you’re coming from Uji, it’s about a 30-minute walk from the city center or just one stop by train from Uji Station to JR Ogura Station.
The Nintendo Museum is something like an interactive playground. Each visitor receives 10 tokens that can be used to play various games. The museum also features exhibits showcasing Nintendo’s history. There’s a gift shop, a café, and several workshops available for an additional fee. You can even create your own hanafuda card deck – details are provided on-site.
Tickets are quite difficult to get, they are distributed according to the results of the lottery. You need to create an account on the site and choose three convenient dates as soon as registration opens (3 months before your visit). When you are selected – you need to pay for the ticket and take it with you to the museum (QR code) along with your passport or other document. If you didn’t manage to catch a ticket at the lottery, sometimes they post cancellations on the website and you can just go in and buy one.
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How to get to Uji from Kyoto
The fastest and easiest is to take the train from Tokyo Station, Nara Line. The train takes about 30-35 minutes to Uji Station, every 8-10 minutes.
