Early this year, I flew to Japan for a week for the first time since the pandemic and since I flew to Fukuoka in 2019. I did not make any concrete plans on where to go or what to do. I went there to enjoy being in the country again after not visiting it for over 3 years.
In case you missed it, I already shared a few details about this trip. I talked about my domestic flight experience with Peach Aviation here: Flight Report: PEACH AVIATION MM 158 – Fukuoka to Osaka Kansai – Future-Proof & Efficient Japanese Domestic Low-Cost Flight. I also shared some photos of Osaka and Nara here: Kansai 2023: OSAKA & NARA Photoblog.
One of the new places I explored during this trip is Kyoto’s green tea heaven, Uji. Allow me to share with you what I did and where I went on this half-day trip to Uji. I will also share photos and details of my side trip to Kyoto on the same day.
I have been to Kyoto a few times in the past. I went there last October 2015 during my first trip to Japan. I re-visited the city again in 2016 during my 13-day expedition around Nagoya, Kansai and Hiroshima. In 2019, I spent a day in Kyoto from Osaka with my sisters and explored the city highlights.
Uji
Uji is a small city nestled between Kyoto and Nara. The city became a beneficiary of developments during the Heian Period when Byōdō-in Temple and Ujigami Shrine were constructed.
Today, the city is famous for its quality green tea products. It is one of Japan’s most important green tea production and distribution areas; it is also the place-to-be for green tea and matcha lovers.
Transportation & Access
Going around Uji is easy and tourist-friendly. The best way to get around the important sights is by foot. The city center is so small to the point where you can walk around the center in one morning or one afternoon. The city’s tourist information center suggests a typical walking route to see and explore the city’s attractions in one loop.
The city is connected to the rest of Japan through two stations: JR Uji Station in the Nara Line (south of the Uji River) and Keihan Uji Station in the Keihan Uji Line (north of the Uji River). JR Pass holders are advised to get off at the JR Uji Station, while IC card holders can take the Uji local train line. Both stations are connected to other major train lines in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka.
Places Visited in Uji
I took the local trains from Osaka and got off at Keihan Uji Station. I dropped by the tourist information center and asked for the recommended walking loop, and I was given a map with the best possible route. I went to the following places:
UJIGAMI SHRINE
Ujigami Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the north side of the Uji River. It is believed to be one of Japan’s longest-standing shrines and is linked to the Byōdō-in Temple. The shrine was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1994.
UJI SHRINE
Uji Shrine is another Shinto shrine found lower than the Ujigami Shrine, also on the north side of the Uji River.
UJI RIVER
The Uji River is a beautiful river that flows through the city. River cruises and traditional fishing activities happen on this river during peak seasons.
ASAGIRIBASHI BRIDGE
Asagiribashi Bridge is a walking bridge that connects the northern part of the city to Kyoto Prefectural Uji Park.
KYOTO PREFECTURAL UJI PARK
Kyoto Prefectural Uji Park is an island park with scenic views of the city and a 13th-century stone pagoda. The park is on two islands – Tachibana Island and Tō-no-shima Island.
UJI CITY MUNICIPAL TEA HOUSE TAIHOAN
After crossing the river and walking around the park, I walked to the municipal tea ceremony house (taihoan) to witness a traditional tea ceremony. I had a wonderful experience watching the tea ceremony. The ceremony has a ¥1,000 fee, and it includes mochi and a high-quality Uji green tea. Photos and videos were not allowed during the ceremony.
BYŌDŌ-IN TEMPLE
Byōdō-in Temple is a Buddhist temple built during the Heian Period. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is also the temple found at the back of the 10-yen coin. Entry to the temple grounds costs ¥600 per person.
AGATA SHRINE
Around 100 meters from Byōdō-in’s exit is Agata Shrine. It is a Shinto guardian shrine of Byōdō-in.
MATSUSAKAYA KAHACHI
I randomly came across this local tea shop named Matsusakaya Kahachi. I was invited by the two old gentlemen to go inside their shop and was taught how to make a hot sencha green tea drink from dried tea leaves.
They offered me three small cups of sencha tea. They do not speak English but tried their best to converse with me using their hands and gestures.
I liked their sencha tea product and bought both sencha tea leaves and matcha green tea powder from this shop. I had a beautiful and heartwarming experience with these two old gentlemen. I want to visit them again in the future and buy lots of green tea leaves and matcha powder from their shop.
PS. I asked for their permission to post their photo on my website.
UJI BYODOIN OMOTESANDO
Uji Byodoin Omotesando is the city’s green tea and matcha heaven. This 300-meter street is full of wooden houses and merchant shops selling green tea leaves, matcha powder, and everything green tea or matcha.
I came across this unique restaurant that serves ramen with matcha noodles. I tried it for lunch and paired it with their signature Uji matcha gyoza. It was weird at first, but okay for the experience.
TSUEN TEA HOUSE MAIN BRANCH
On the way back to Keihan Uji Station, I dropped by Tsuen Tea House’s main branch and tried their sakura matcha soft serve ice cream. I had one of the best and most flavorful soft-serve ice creams in this store!
The soft-serve iced cream costs ¥380. Customers can choose between matcha only, sakura only, or sakura matcha (mixed) flavors.
SURUGAYA KEIHAN UJI STATION
I also dropped by a local confectionary shop named Surugaya and tried their ¥100 green tea mochi sticks.
Kyoto Side Trip
After spending 4-5 hours around Uji, I took the local from Keihan Uji Station to Gion-Shijō Station in Kyoto. I spent the remaining 3 hours walking around Gion, and I visited Nishiki Market, Ponto-chō, Ninenzaka, and the Instagram-famous Hōkan-ji Temple. Here are some photos of these famous Kyoto spots.
NISHIKI MARKET
PONTO-CHŌ
NINENZAKA
HŌKAN-JI TEMPLE
After my quick trip to Kyoto, I took the train back to Osaka, dropped by the supermarket to get some food, walked back to my hostel, had dinner, and called it a day.
This sums up my long but fun day around Uji and Kyoto. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thank you for joining me in today’s blog. I hope you stay tuned for more Japan-related content in the future. I hope you can also visit and follow my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram! Thanks again and see you in the next one.
PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.