Autumn Escape on the Green Liner: A Day Trip Through Kyoto Tea Country

(Joruriji Temple)

If you are departing from Nara, catch Kizugawa Old Temple Pilgrimage Bus* from the west exit of JR Nara Station to visit Joruriji Temple**! (Depart from the bus stop No. 15 at 8:53 a.m. / Arrive at the Joruriji bus stop at 9:21 a.m.)

The temple’s garden is beautiful, especially with autumn colors.

(Gansenji Temple)

Next, take Kizugawa City Community Bus (Tono Line) bound for Kamo Sta. (East), and get off at Gansen-ji Temple. (Depart from the Joruri-ji Temple bus stop at 10:14 a.m. / Arrive at 10:21 a.m.)
Experience a quiet sense of wonder amidst the beauty of autumn at this temple.

Nearby, you’ll also find quaint tsurimise (unmanned roadside stalls).

Then, board the Kizugawa City Community Bus (Tono Line) again, and get off at the final stop, Kamo Sta. (East). (Depart at 11:21 a.m. / Arrive at 11:36 a.m.)

At the west exit of JR Kamo Station, catch the Nara Kotsu bus bound for Wazuka-cho-Harayama, and get off at Wazuka-yamanoie. (Depart at 11:43 a.m. / Arrive at 11:57 a.m.)

Why not enjoy lunch at Taiko Yama Cafe (Address: 55 Kamatsuka Kanjo, Wazuka-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto), and discover local flavors at the cafe and shop of Wazukacha Cafe (Address: 35 Shirasu Ohazama, Wazuka-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto)?

It is really fun, and you can even feel the history and culture of Wazuka!

Enjoy scenic views of tea plantations in this area, as well as the hill-like Tomb of Prince Asaka (728–744), also known as Mt. Taiko (Taikoyama).

After that, board Bus No. 78 (Chagenkyou Wazuka Line)* at Wazuka Undoukouen (Wazuka Sports Park) at 1:39 p.m., switch to Kyoto Keihan Bus No. 88 (Yuyadani Line)* at Ichumae (Ujitawara-Bus Center) (arrive at 1:51 p.m. / depart at 2:07 p.m.), and get off at Yuyadani at 2:13 p.m.

Note: To visit the birthplace of Nagatani Soen, take No. 88 (Yuyadani Line) and get off at the nearby stop, Yuyadani. It is a convenient option.
We recommend No. 88 over No. 186 (a.k.a. the “Ujicha Bus” / Uji Okuyamada Chaya-mura Line), which departs from Ichumae (Ujitawara-Bus Center) at 1:59 p.m., as No. 186 does not stop at Yuyadani. If you take No. 186 by mistake, get off at Ujitawara Yubinkyoku-mae (Ujitawara Post Office). It is close to Yuyadani, about 5 minutes on foot.

The Yuyadani area is a part of Japan Heritage (Japanese Tea: Eight Centuries of Tradition).

It includes the birthplace of Nagatani Soen, a pioneer of Japanese green tea processing. (Address: Yuyadani Sorabiro, Ujitawara-cho, Tsuzuki-gun, Kyoto / About a 15-minute walk from the Yuyadani bus stop)

Interior viewing: Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays only (Maintenance cooperation fee: 200 yen)

Here, you can immerse yourself in the history of Japanese green tea.

The atmosphere is wonderful with the peaceful beauty of nature.

After exploring the area, take Bus No. 88 (Yuyadani Line) back to Ichumae (Ujitawara-Bus Center). (depart at 3:15 p.m. / arrive at 3:21 p.m.)

Then, transfer to Kyoto Keihan Bus No. 180 to the final stop, Keihan-Uji Sta. (depart at 3:27 p.m. / arrive at 3:55 p.m.).

Let’s visit Takumi no Yakata (Uji Tea Experience Hall of Artisans). (Address: 17-1 Uji Matafuri, Uji, Kyoto)

You can enjoy various experiences there.

For example, the matcha art experience is exciting.

Draw your favorite design and snap a photo.

It is a fun way to remember the trip!

Then, let’s have dinner at Irori Beniya! (Address: 1 Uji Ichiban, Uji, Kyoto / about a 3-minute walk to JR Uji Station)

They grill fish and meat in front of you using a Japanese open fireplace (irori).

* These buses will run on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays (Oct 10–Dec 6 this autumn).
** Open 9:00 a.m. (Mar–Nov) / 10:00 a.m. (Dec–Feb).