Located in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, Uji is not only one of Japan’s most renowned tea-producing regions, but also the birthplace of Uji matcha culture. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site Byodo-in Temple and the scenic Uji River to historic tea houses and famous matcha dessert shops, the city is filled with unique attractions at every turn.
In this guide, we’ve put together all of Uji’s must-visit sightseeing spots, popular local foods, and a one-day itinerary. Come experience all that Kyoto Tea Country has to offer for yourself, with its beautiful scenery and the aroma of tea all around.
The southern part of Kyoto Prefecture – which includes Uji City, Wazuka Town, and Joyo City – is also known as “Kyoto Tea Country,” a region that has been producing high-quality teas for centuries. Of these, Uji is the most iconic. Beyond its storied history of tea production, a rich tea culture still thrives in Uji today amidst its beautiful natural surroundings. Indeed, Uji is blessed with an ideal climate and environment for tea cultivation, which allows it to produce its Uji-cha (Uji tea) with such a rich flavor and delicate aroma. To this day, it remains one of Japan’s most important centers for high-grade tea production.
Walking through Uji, the scent of tea seems to hang in the air all around, and long-running tea shops and traditional Japanese sweet-makers line the streets. Nearby, you’ll find the World Heritage Site, Byodo-in Temple; the historic Uji River, and cultural sites connected to the 11th century novel The Tale of Genji. Together, they create a uniquely atmospheric travel experience found only in Uji.
Getting to Uji is also extremely convenient: it’s only about 20 minutes from Kyoto Station on the Nara Line, so it’s the perfect location for a half-day or full day trip. Whether you’re a matcha enthusiast, a history lover, or an independent traveler visiting Kyoto for the first time, anyone can find just the right travel pace for them in this tea-scented city.
The Uji Day Trip We Recommend
If it’s your first time in Uji, we recommend visiting the city’s major attractions and storied tea shops on foot. Since you can reach all of them easily by walking, you’ll be more able to take in the city’s history and culture, as you enjoy all the Uji matcha you like!
Our recommended route:
1. JR Uji Station → 2. Byodo-in Temple → 3. Stroll along the Byodo-in Omotesando shopping street → 4. Nakamura Tokichi Honten (for lunch or tea time) → 5. Walk along the Uji River → 6. The Tale of Genji Museum → 7. Itoh Kyuemon (to enjoy matcha sweets) → Return to Kyoto City
Founded in 1052, Byodo-in Temple is one of Uji’s most famous landmarks. Not only is it one of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but its centerpiece, the Phoenix Hall, has been designated a National Treasure of Japan. Its elegant shape can also be found on Japan’s 10 yen coins. Byodo-in is a classic landmark in Uji, and one you’ll definitely want to visit while you’re here.
The Phoenix Hall is the beautiful vermillion building standing beside the pond, and its brilliant reflection on water’s surface is such a sight it’s as if the Pure Land of Buddhist paradise had appeared here on earth. As the seasons change, the temple shifts through cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, red autumn foliage, and the quiet beauty of winter snow, drawing photographers to its loveliness throughout the year.
After admiring the architecture, head to the Hoshokan Museum on the temple grounds. The museum displays National Treasure cultural artifacts and historical materials related to the temple, offering deeper insight into the religious culture and artistic achievements of the Heian period (794-1185). Whether or not you’re a history buff or architecture lover, for a first-time visitor to Uji, this thousand-year-old temple offers a profound sense of Kyoto’s cultural depth.
Byodoin Temple
Byodoin Temple, located on the west bank of the Uji River, shows the historical glory of the Fujiwara clan’s prosperity. Originally Minamoto no Toru’s villa, it was later acquired by Fujiwara no Michi …
After your visit to Byodo-in Temple, head to the Uji River for a leisurely walk along its banks. One of Uji’s most iconic natural landmarks, the river has long served as a hub of transportation and culture, and frequently appears as a setting in classical Japanese literature, including the The Tale of Genji.
Photo by Lee Thom of Unsplash
The riverside promenade is flat and easy to walk along, and provides a beautiful spot for a stroll that’s scenic in any season. In spring cherry blossoms bloom along the river, lush greenery glows in summer, the bright red of the maple leaves reflects colorfully in the water in autumn, and winter brings a quietly atmospheric look. Along the way, you can take in landmarks like Uji Bridge and Uji Park, while traditional pleasure boats occasionally drift by, adding to the journey’s charm.
The Uji Riverside offers a slower, more relaxed pace than the bustling sightseeing spots of central Kyoto. Holding a takeaway matcha drink while enjoying the gentle river breeze and the fragrance of tea is the kind of little luxury that defines a trip to Uji.
Tonoshima Island & Tachibanajima Island on Uji River
On Uji River, there are Tonoshima Island and Tachibanajima Island. They are collectively called Nakanoshima Island. Nakanoshima Island and Yorimichi Park on the left bank are collectively called Uji P …
If you have any interest in Japanese history or classical literature, the Tale of Genji Museum is well worth a visit. Uji serves as the setting for the final chapters of The Tale of Genji, known as the “Uji Chapters,” and traces of this elegant literary heritage can still be felt throughout the city today.
Inside the museum, detailed models, high-definition video exhibits, and interactive displays introduce the story, characters, and relationships of The Tale of Genji, as well as the sophisticated court culture and daily life of the Heian period. Even if you’ve never read the novel, you can still enjoy the world of this masterpiece – often described as the world’s oldest novel – through the engaging multimedia features here.
Uji, of course, is more than just a “matcha town,” but a beautiful blend of history, culture, and literature. If you travel from Byodo-in Temple to the Uji River, to the Tale of Genji Museum, you’ll find a sensory experience that takes you deeper into Kyoto’s rich culture.
“The Tale Of Genji Museum, UJI”
The Tale of Genji is a worldwide-known masterpiece of classical Japanese literature written by Murasaki Shikibu in the Heian Period (794-1185). It depicts the romantic entanglements of a fictional cha …
Famous Uji Matcha Restaurants & Cafés You Won’t Want to Miss
Nakamura Tokichi Main Branch
Founded in 1854, Nakamura Tokichi Honten is one of Uji’s most celebrated historic tea shops and an essential stop for anyone visiting the area. Housed in a traditional machiya townhouse, the establishment combines a tea shop and café, allowing visitors to experience Uji’s tea culture in a setting rich with history and atmosphere.
The café serves a wide range of tea-inspired dishes and desserts, including its famous matcha parfait, matcha soba noodles, and ochazuke (a savory rice dish into which tea is poured). After your meal, it’s worth browsing the shop for tea leaves and tea-flavored sweets to bring a taste of Uji home with you.
Conveniently located just a short walk from JR Uji Station, it’s perfect for lunch or a break as you sightsee. With more than a century of tea-making heritage, it remains one of Uji’s most classic and rewarding stops.
Nakamura Tokichi Honten Main Store
Nakamura Tokichi Honten was founded in 1854. With over 170 years of history, it is currently run by the seventh generation of the family. Today, it is especially famous for its delicious sweets using …
Itoh Kyuemon is another hugely popular shop that shouldn’t be missed. Founded in the late Edo period (1603-1868) as a specialist Uji tea merchant, Itoh Kyuemon has upheld the traditions of tea culture for centuries, even as it’s continued creating innovative desserts that showcase matcha in new and exciting ways.
Its signature offerings include eye-catching matcha parfaits and seasonal Japanese-style sweets. Made with matcha or hojicha (roasted green tea) and layered with a variety of traditional Japanese confections, these parfaits offer a different flavor experience with every layer. Their eye-catching presentation has made them one of Uji’s signature gourmet attractions and a favorite on social media. Of course, the matcha cookies and matcha gift sets sold in the shop are also hugely popular with visitors.
To round out your stroll through Uji, take your time savoring some of these exceptional matcha desserts, filling your mouth with the aroma of tea. It’s the perfect memory to take home from your Uji day trip.
Itohkyuemon Uji Main Store
Itohkyuemon was founded in 1832. Their tea, processed with meticulous attention to quality, has been favored by many renowned temples and shrines. The main store is located on the right bank of the Uj …
Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Trips to Uji
Q1: How can I get to Uji from Kyoto Station? Can I do a day trip to Uji?
Uji is extremely easily accessible: if you take the JR Nara Line rapid train from Kyoto Station, you’ll arrive at JR Uji Station in about 20 minutes. The city’s major attractions, like Byodo-in Temple, the Uji River, Tale of Genji Museum, and a variety of storied and well-known tea shops are concentrated near the station area, and the area can easily be explored on foot. This makes Uji great for a half- or one-day trip. If you have some extra time, we also recommend combining a trip to Uji with a visit to the Fushimi area, or sights in Kyoto City.
Q2: There are a lot of famous matcha places in Uji. Where should I go?
If this is your first visit to Uji, start with Nakamura Tokichi’s main branch and Itoh Kyuemon. Nakamura Tokichi has over a century of history and is famous for its tea-based cuisine, so it’s a wonderful place to experience traditional Uji tea culture. Itoh Kyuemon, on the other hand, is known for its eye-catching matcha parfaits and seasonal sweets. Both are among Uji’s most famous matcha destinations, each with their own unique charms, and both are must-visit dining spots for many visitors.
Q3: What else should I look for in Uji, aside from matcha?
Uji isn’t only about matcha: it’s also a fascinating destination rich in history and culture. Aside from enjoying its matcha desserts, you can also visit the World Heritage Site Byodo-in Temple, take a stroll along the Uji River and admire the scenery, and discover Japan’s classical literary heritage at The Tale of Genji Museum. The combination of history, culture, cuisine, and beautiful natural scenery is precisely what makes Uji one of the most popular day-trip destinations near Kyoto.
From the World Heritage Site Byodo-in Temple, to the picturesque Uji River scenery, to the exquisite matcha desserts and tempting tea scent that beckons from the city’s old tea shops, Uji offers a wonderful blend of history, culture, and gastronomy that gives it a charm all its own, distinct from Kyoto City. The next time you visit Kyoto, come venture into Kyoto’s Tea Country to stroll down tea-fragrant streets, and experience Uji’s unique style of slow travel for yourself.
*Please note that the sightseeing spots and restaurants introduced in this article are all very popular locations in the Uji area. As a result, you may find crowds and wait lines on weekends, public holidays, and during peak travel seasons. When planning your visit, we recommend checking the latest information from the businesses and adjusting your itinerary according to local conditions on the day.
