Kyoto Tea Country

Uji River Islands Tonoshima & Tachibanajima

Tonoshima and Tachibanajima Islands are collectively called Nakanoshima (islands in the middle of the river). There is a beautiful 13-story pagoda around 15 meters tall on Tonoshima. It was built in the Late Kamakura period (1192-1333) by the monk Eison, of Nara's Saidai-ji Temple, to pray for the souls of fish. The pagoda, which was buried by the river in a flood in 1756, was rediscovered and rebuilt towards the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912).
The flood levees are famous for the cherry trees that flower there. In early April, the Ujigawa Cherry Blossom Festival is held on the island, which has now become a park.

Address
Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access
10 minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line
10 minute walk from Uji Station on the JR Nara Line