Why visit Uji? 🍵
Uji is a magical green wonderland and the true heartbeat of Japanese matcha history. You can cuddle your soul with the sweetest, creamiest matcha treats and adorable tea shops down every cozy little street. Come sip happy cups of liquid jade where every single leaf is grown with pure love!
If you love Japanese literature, Uji is also an unmissable pilgrimage destination as the dramatic setting for the final ten chapters of the Tale of Genji.
How to get to Uji? 🚅
Uji is a historic Japanese city located in Kyoto Prefecture, sitting directly south of Kyoto City along the Uji River. Travellers usually take a quick 20-minute train ride from Kyoto Station on the JR Nara Line, or ride the Keihan Main Line from Osaka with a simple transfer.
Origin |
Train Line |
Transfer Details |
Time |
Cost |
JR Pass Covered? |
Kyoto Station |
JR Nara Line |
None |
17 - 30 min |
¥240 - 400 |
Yes |
Kyoto (Gion / Kamogawa) |
Keihan Main Line to Chushojima |
Transfer to Keihan Uji Line to Keihan Uji Station |
30 min |
¥400 |
No |
Osaka (Umeda / Yodoyabashi) |
Keihan Main Line |
Transfer at Chushojima Station to Keihan Uji Line |
60 mins |
¥490 - ¥550 |
No |
Nara Station |
JR Nara Line |
None or minor transfer depending on train type |
35 - 40 mins |
¥440 - ¥510 |
Yes |
Getting Around Uji: 🚶🏼♀️🚶🏼♂️
Walk 10 minutes from either JR Uji Station or Keihan Uji Station to reach the Uji River and Byodoin Temple. Most central sights are close to each other and easy to explore on foot.
Walk 10 minutes from either JR Uji Station or Keihan Uji Station to reach the Uji River and Byodoin Temple. Most central sights are close to each other and easy to explore on foot.
If you are driving to Uji, you can park your car here: 🚗
Parking lot name |
Location |
Parking fee |
Address |
Uji Parking |
1 min walk from Byodoin Temple's south gate |
¥1,000 per entry (flat rate) |
Togawa-122 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021 |
Byodoin Parking |
Close to Byodoin Temple |
¥800 per entry |
606 0022 Zenpo-98-2 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021 |
Uji Shiei JR Uji Ekimae Parking Lot |
Near JR Uji Station |
¥100 per 30 mins (approx. ¥1,000 max for 5 hours) |
Umonji Uji, Kyoto 611-0021 |
BooBooPARK Byodoin Omotemon 2 Parking Lot |
4 min walk from the statue of Murasaki Shikibu |
¥800 per entry (8:00-18:00) |
Renge-89-4 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021 |
Recommended one-day itinerary in Uji
9:15 - Take a train and arrive at Uji station
9:30 - 11:00 Walk to Nakamura Tokichi Honten and enjoy matcha noodle and dessert
11:00 - [ ]
9:30 - 11:00 Walk to Nakamura Tokichi Honten and enjoy matcha noodle and dessert
11:00 - [ ]
The 'Must-go' in Uji - Byodoin Temple
Byodoin Temple in Uji is an absolute must! This magical, 1,000-year-old wooden wonderland features the gorgeous Phoenix Hall floating on a peaceful pond, houses a cozy glowing Buddha, and lets you see the famous temple from your own pocket's 10-yen coin!
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The best walking route:
Gate --> Aji-ike Pond with a view of floating Phoenix Hall (10-yen coin reflection!) --> Side-Wing Stroll --> Hoshokan Museum --> Kannon-do Hall --> Exit
Gate --> Aji-ike Pond with a view of floating Phoenix Hall (10-yen coin reflection!) --> Side-Wing Stroll --> Hoshokan Museum --> Kannon-do Hall --> Exit
📍Address: Renge-116 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021
⏰Opening Hour: Garden 8:45 - 17:30 / Phoenix Hall 9:30 - 16:10 / Museum 9:00 - 17:00 / Tea room 10:00 - 16:30
⌛Suggested time spend: 1.5 to 2 hours
🪄Tripfounder Tips: If you want to avoid the crowd, arrive early before 9:30. If you are not a morning person, arrive around 15:30 as the crowd will thin out gradually. Beware the last entry time is 16:15, and the Phoenix Hall is closed at 16:10.
⏰Opening Hour: Garden 8:45 - 17:30 / Phoenix Hall 9:30 - 16:10 / Museum 9:00 - 17:00 / Tea room 10:00 - 16:30
⌛Suggested time spend: 1.5 to 2 hours
🪄Tripfounder Tips: If you want to avoid the crowd, arrive early before 9:30. If you are not a morning person, arrive around 15:30 as the crowd will thin out gradually. Beware the last entry time is 16:15, and the Phoenix Hall is closed at 16:10.
Nice cafes in Uji where you can enjoy green tea in dishes and treats
1) Nakamura Tokichi Honten (中村藤吉本店)
This place is our all time favorite and definitely one of the most popular cafe in Uji. The dessert there (especially the matcha parfait and namacha jelly) will amaze you. The matcha soba noodle is highly recommended too! For me, I have ordered their special matcha dessert platter set. It was divine!
Besides the cafe, you can buy matcha items in their Tea Shop. Great souvenir choices include the nakamura-cha tea bags, matcha hard candy, and sweet bean jelly (yokan).
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If you are passionate about matcha, consider booking the 60-minute Tea Ceremony and Tea Milling Experience. This English-guided session is priced at approximately USD 93 per person, with advance reservations required through their official website.
📍Address: Ichiban-10 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021
👣How to get there?
🪄Tripfounder Tips: Arrive before 9:30 (30 minutes before the opening hour) as the queue starts even before it opens! The line can stretch to over two to four hours if you arrive after 11:00, especially during the weekends. You can check the queue status with your digital ticket (featuring a QR code). You may also visit the Byodoin branch with the same opening hour.
👣How to get there?
- 2 minutes walk from JR Nara Line Uji Station (South Exit)
- 10 minutes walk from Keihan Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line
🪄Tripfounder Tips: Arrive before 9:30 (30 minutes before the opening hour) as the queue starts even before it opens! The line can stretch to over two to four hours if you arrive after 11:00, especially during the weekends. You can check the queue status with your digital ticket (featuring a QR code). You may also visit the Byodoin branch with the same opening hour.
2) Oyasumidokoro 'Marukichi' (丸吉)
Marukichi is a traditional sweet shop. It is a popular stop for visitors offering authentic Japanese treats that highlight classic regional tea flavors. The most popular treat is Uji Sanmai Dango - Soft and chewy tea-flavor rice dumplings (Matcha, Sencha and Hojicha) served on a stick. We enjoyed the dango so much!
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📍Address: Renge-13 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021
👣How to get there? Located on Byodo-in Omotesando
⏰Opening Hour: 10:00 - 17:30 (close at 17:00 on Sundays)
⌛Suggested time spend: 30 minutes
👣How to get there? Located on Byodo-in Omotesando
⏰Opening Hour: 10:00 - 17:30 (close at 17:00 on Sundays)
⌛Suggested time spend: 30 minutes
3) Itoh Kyuemon - Head shop
Time to shop for the best matcha!
Besides Nakamura Tokichi Honten, there are more shops that you can purchase premium matcha.
1) Ocha no Kanbayashi (お茶のかんばやし)
2) Itoh Kyuemon - Byodo-in Temple (伊藤久右衛門 平等院店)
3) Jinjiro Tea Shop (京都宇治茶房 山本甚次郎)
4) Yamadaen Tea Stall (山田園茶舗)
Place to stay if you are to spend the night in Uji
I would recommend staying in your Kyoto / Osaka hotel, as most likely you would only spend around five to six hours in Uji. However you would like to stay in Uji for a more deep dive experience, here are some recommended hotels:
If you like the Tale of Genji
Nestled along the gentle banks of the Uji River lies a treasured chapter of Japan’s literary heart — The Tale of Genji, the timeless masterpiece written by the brilliant Murasaki Shikibu. The final chapters of her story unfold right here in Uji, making a visit feel like stepping into the pages themselves.
Stroll beside the lovely river, pause at the graceful statue of Murasaki Shikibu, and let the quiet beauty of this place draw you into Japan’s rich cultural heritage. It’s a gentle, memorable way to feel the living spirit of one of the world’s greatest novels.
Stroll beside the lovely river, pause at the graceful statue of Murasaki Shikibu, and let the quiet beauty of this place draw you into Japan’s rich cultural heritage. It’s a gentle, memorable way to feel the living spirit of one of the world’s greatest novels.
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Having read a translated version of The Tale of Genji and watched the NHK Taiga drama Dear Radiance (Hikaru Kimi e), standing before the statue of Murasaki Shikibu in Uji felt especially meaningful.
Tripfounder Uji Google Map
To visit these places, use our Custom Google Map to see every location:
by TripFounder Missa, published in 2026