Uji Kyoto: A Must-Visit Day Trip for Matcha & History Lovers!

I recently took a trip to Uji, and I wanted to share my experience!

Uji is slightly outside of Kyoto city, but it’s super convenient to visit:

• From Kyoto Station: Just about 20 minutes by train.
• From Osaka Station: Approximately 1 hour by train.

If you are staying in Kyoto or Osaka, Uji is the perfect spot for an easy day trip.

✨ What to See in Uji: Matcha and Byodoin Temple

Uji is famous for two main things: its exquisite green tea (matcha) and the stunning Byodoin Temple.

1. Uji Matcha: Japan’s Finest Green Tea

Uji has been a renowned tea-producing region for centuries and is celebrated as one of the Three Great Teas of Japan.

• In Japan, when we talk about “tea” (ocha), we typically mean green tea (ryokucha). There are many varieties, like sencha, gyokuro, and genmaicha.
• The most famous variety from Uji is Matcha. This powdered green tea has exploded in global popularity recently, to the point where quality Uji matcha is becoming a sought-after commodity!

2. Byodoin Temple: A Millennium of History

Uji’s main cultural attraction (besides tea!) is the Byodoin Temple, a magnificent Buddhist temple established roughly 1,000 years ago.

• Highlights: The gorgeous garden, stunning sculptures (including Buddhist statues), and historical paintings.
• Fun Fact: Take a look at your Japanese 10-yen coin—the image on it is the famous Phoenix Hall (Hoo-do) of Byodoin!

If your itinerary allows and you have a love for matcha, Uji should absolutely be on your travel radar!

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🚶 My Visit to Byodoin Temple

Uji has two main stations: Keihan Uji Station and JR Uji Station. The central tourist area is just a short walk from either.

• (I traveled with my small daughter and a friend by car as we live about an hour away, but the train is the recommended mode of transport for most visitors!)

Arriving at the Temple

After parking, we headed straight for Byodoin Temple. You’ll immediately spot the large torii gate (the traditional shrine archway).

This gate stands near the entrance to the Omotesando, which is the temple approach path. The Omotesando begins just to the left of this gate and is lined with charming souvenir shops.

The Temple and Museum

As expected for such a famous site, the ticket counter conveniently accepted credit cards.

The Phoenix Hall (Hoo-do)

The path guides you into the Hoshokan Museum. This modern facility exhibits paintings and priceless national treasures, including sculptures. It’s truly fascinating and a must-see part of the visit!

• Important Note: Photography is strictly prohibited inside the museum.

Accessibility Notes

While the museum is barrier-free with elevators, the main temple garden is less accommodating. The paths are covered in fine gravel and there are several steps. I felt it would be quite challenging to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller.

(Note: The official website of Byodoin Temple offers specialized wheelchairs for use on the gravel paths, but access to the interior of the Phoenix Hall and certain garden areas remains limited.)

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🍦 Exploring the Omotesando (Main Street)

After our temple visit, it was time to explore the bustling street and find some sweets!

My top recommendation is the Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream from Masuda Chaho (ますだ茶舗), located right outside the temple exit. This ice cream is famous for a reason!

• They generously sprinkle extra matcha powder on top, resulting in an incredibly rich and intense flavor. You have to try it!
• Payment Heads-up: The soft-serve stand is strictly CASH ONLY.

We opted for a Matcha Latte at the shop next door—it’s the same Masuda Chaho, but offers a more stylish café environment.

• The latte was perfectly balanced—creamy, but not overly sweet or bitter. Absolutely wonderful!
• Good News: The café side accepted credit cards!

Be prepared for a possible wait! There was only one staff member, and a long queue quickly formed after we received our drinks.

There was also a charming shop selling adorable dango (sweet rice dumplings).

A Haven for Tea Shops

As you’d expect in the famous tea town of Uji, you will find countless legendary tea shops lining the streets:

Nakamura Tokichi

It’s easy to get lost trying to decide where to buy your souvenirs!

My friend found a favorite at Ousuno Sato, a specialty shop for umeboshi (pickled plums). The staff offered us samples, and she particularly loved the honey-flavored umeboshi!

Lunchtime and More Tea

After a quick matcha dango snack, we sought out lunch. We walked to the end of the main street, turning left at the intersection (towards the JR Uji Station side).

This street features more tea shops, cafés, and various restaurants, including ramen, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), and Italian food.

The Nakamura Tokichi Main Store is on this street, making it easy to spot for those arriving at JR Uji Station.

Stepping past the noren (traditional curtain) feels like entering an old storehouse. The right side is the retail shop, and straight ahead is the café.

It was just past noon, and the café had an astounding 45-group wait! It was incredibly busy. If you can’t wait, the retail shop offers plenty of cute, travel-friendly tea souvenirs.

We also saw the popular Tsujiri shop.

After lunch, we took a relaxing walk along the Uji River before heading home.

We arrived around 10:30 AM, and with all the sightseeing and delicious snacking, we didn’t leave until nearly 4:00 PM! Time truly flies when you’re exploring Uji.

I plan to update this post with more shop recommendations soon!

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📌 Useful Information for Your Uji Day Trip

Here are the essential details for the main spots mentioned in this article, helping you plan your visit effectively!

Location	Address / Nearest Station	Opening Hours & Admission	Notes
Byodoin Temple (平等院)	11 Uji Renge, Uji, Kyoto	Garden & Temple: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Last entry 5:15 PM) Hoshokan Museum: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry 4:45 PM) Admission: General Admission ¥700	Check the official website for current entry fees and special closures.
Nakamura Tokichi Main Store (中村藤吉本店)	10 Uji Ichiban, Uji, Kyoto	Fine Tea Shop: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Café: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Last Order 4:30 PM)	Extremely popular! Expect long waits for the café, especially during peak lunch hours.
Masuda Chaho (ますだ茶舗)	1-2 Uji Renge, Uji, Kyoto (Right outside Byodoin)	Main Shop: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tea Stand Shop: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	Hours may vary slightly. The famous soft serve is at the stand near the temple exit.
Itoh Kyuemon (伊藤久右衛門)	Varies (Multiple locations in Uji)	Varies	A famous tea and sweets shop with several locations, including a main store and a café near the JR Uji Station area.
Access to Uji	From Kyoto: JR Nara Line (approx. 30 min) From Osaka: JR Kyoto Line to Kyoto, then transfer to JR Nara Line (approx. 60 min total)	Check current train schedules for details.	The main tourist area is between the JR Uji Station and Keihan Uji Station.

💳 Payment Notes Recap:

• Byodoin Temple Ticket: Credit cards accepted (at time of visit).
• Masuda Chaho (Soft Serve Stand): CASH ONLY (for the stand).
• Masuda Chaho (Café/Shop): Credit cards accepted.
• It is always a good idea to carry cash (yen), as many smaller shops and stalls in Japan are cash-only.