9 Unique Things to Do in Uji, Japan: A Perfect One-Day Itinerary

Tucked quietly between Kyoto and Nara, Uji is one of those places most travelers overlook. When we were planning our trip around Osaka and Kyoto, our attention kept going to the usual big names: Nara, Kobe, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama. But we’re so glad one of our local friends insisted we visit this quiet little gem called Uji, because it turned out to be one of the best day trips we took from Kyoto (and even Osaka).

This small riverside town, known as the birthplace of Japan’s finest matcha, is the perfect peaceful escape when you need a break from the crowds and chaos of Kyoto. Uji is not a destination where you cram in and tick off highlight attractions on an itinerary. It’s a town best enjoyed at a slow pace, admiring the small details, soaking in the peaceful ambiance, and connecting with the traditions that define this historic town. Whether it’s sitting by the Uji River with a cup of freshly whisked matcha, wandering beneath blooming cherry trees, exploring the centuries-old Byodoin Temple, or joining a traditional tea ceremony where you can grind your own tea leaves, each moment in Uji feels special in its own way. And to help you make your trip unforgettable, we have compiled our 9 favourite things to do in Uji, Japan!

9 Best Things to do in Uji, Japan

As we mentioned earlier, Uji isn’t the kind of place that stuns you with towering temples or jaw-dropping attractions. Its charm lies in the quiet details, the slow pace, and the timeless traditions of their everyday life in Japan. Rather than trying to visit everything on this list, just pick 2 or 3 activities and take the time to fully savour them. 

When we visited, a local friend brought us to Uji for the day, and we spent it simply strolling along the riverbanks, admiring the cherry blossoms, and indulging in some of the best Uji matcha desserts we’ve ever had. Since we happened to be there during sakura season, our entire day revolved around soaking in those pink, picture-perfect views. But next time, we’re definitely setting aside time to experience one of Uji’s traditional matcha ceremonies, because if anywhere deserves to be the place you learn the true art of tea, it’s here.

1) Try Uji’s Famous Matcha

Uji is where the Japan’s matcha culture began over 800 years ago. Today, Uji matcha is considered Japan’s highest grade, and only a tiny amount is produced every year. Making this matcha is labour intensive, only picking the most premium and youngest leaves, and using traditional granite stone mills to grind the matcha which preserves its umami taste. This scarcity makes Uji matcha so prized, with some premium grades selling for over 100 USD for just 30 grams! 

Although we had the opportunity to try some other lower grade matchas in desserts across Kyoto and Osaka, we wanted to experience the birthplace of matcha in Uji! 

There are tons of different ways to experience Uji’s famous matcha. The simplest and cheapest is by grabbing a matcha soft serve. For one level up, delve into the world of matcha desserts like matcha parfaits, cakes, mochis and more! 

We went to Masuda Chaho and ordered three different matcha items: matcha latte, matcha soft serve with red bean and mochis, and a matcha parfait including matcha jellies, ice cream, peanut mochis, whip cream, cookies, and fruits! It was all so delicious and quite affordable! 

For savoury tastes, they even make matcha soba noodles and matcha beer! 

To experience Uji’s famous Matcha culture and learn about the traditions, we recommend this Authentic tea ceremony with Hands-on Green tea milling! We’ll share more details about it in the section below! 

One of the easiest ways to discover the Uji matcha scene is by visiting Byodoin Omotesando Street. It’s lined with teahouses and sweet shops offering matcha in every imaginable way! Or if you prefer a more guided experience, we would recommend this Uji Half-day Matcha green tea tour!

🇯🇵👨‍🏫 Want to uncover more hidden gem ideas for your Japan trip? Check out our guide on 32 unique things to do in Japan and our comprehensive 10+ day Japan Itinerary guide! And before you go, save yourself the stress and learn from our mistakes — read our 36 Essential tips for traveling in Japan: First time visitors guide.

2) Visit Byōdo-in Temple

Byōdo-in Temple is Uji’s most iconic landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its elegant Phoenix Hall that appears to float above a mirror-like pond. It was built over 1,000 years ago, and the temple is so treasured in Japan that it’s even featured on the 10 yen coin.

Inside, you’ll find the gardens, a small museum showcasing original artifacts, and beautifully preserved architecture showcasing Japan’s Heian era. As a bonus, the entire temple is incredibly photogenic. Its vibrant red exterior pops against the surrounding greenery, and the pond in front of Phoenix Hall creates a stunning floating reflection.

During our visit to Uji, we chose not to go inside Byōdo-in Temple since we had already visited countless temples in Kyoto and wanted to spend more time soaking up Uji’s matcha culture instead. We did get to admire it from outside though, which is a free and quick way to see it. That said, we’ve still gathered all the key details you need to know if you plan to visit. 

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3) Experience a Traditional Tea Ceremony with hands on tea milling

One of the most unique ways to discover Uji’s matcha tradition is by joining this exclusive Uji tea ceremony tour, which even includes a hands-on tea leaf milling experience!

During this 2.5 hour tour, you’ll step inside a historical tea room that’s normally closed to the general public and experience the traditional art of the Japanese tea ceremony in an intimate setting. You’ll start by sampling chasoba (tea buckwheat noodles) and namacha jelly, all while hearing the fascinating Edo era story of “tea smoke rises forever,” written by a vassal of the Shogun.

Next comes the hands-on highlight: grinding your own matcha leaves using a traditional millstone. With the Wabunka plan, guests not only learn how to make their own matcha from scratch, but also enjoy a special meal paired with both koicha and usucha (thick and thin teas).

To end the experience, you’ll sip koicha and usucha in the serene Zuishoan tatami tea room overlooking the gardens. Unlike most tea ceremonies that host large groups, this exclusive session is limited to just four participants. This creates a much more personal and immersive way to experience the Japanese tea culture.

Check out our PDF guide that includes a summary of 36 essential tips for traveling to Japan! If you want to read about all these tips in detail, check out our Japan traveling tips guide!

4) Walking route to discover Uji’s main attractions

From Uji Station, start your walk at the Statue of Murasaki Shikibu before making your way to Byodoin Omotesando Street. This riverside street is the heart of Uji, lined with souvenir shops, charming boutiques, and every kind of matcha inspired treat you can imagine. This is the perfect place to find those unique souvenirs like high grade Uji matcha, matcha yokan (jelly), Matcha cookies, Uji ceramics (which are absolutely beautiful), hand-made matcha whisk, and washi paper stationaries. 

We ended up buying some local tea, enjoying delicious matcha-themed desserts at Masuda Chaho, then strolling all the way down to Byodo-in temple. You can choose to visit the temple or continue your walk by crossing Kisen Bridge to Tō no shima Island. This is one of the best picnic spots in Uji, surrounded on both sides by the Uji River and historic scenery, including the thirteen story pagoda. From there, head north to cross over to Tachibana Island, where you’ll find gorgeous weeping cherry blossoms in sakura season.

Cross the Asagiri bridge and you’ll arrive on the East bank of Uji river where you’ll find the Statue of the Ten Uji Chapters. You’ll also notice the massive shinto shrine which marks the entrance to the Uji Shrine and the trek up to the Daikichiyama Observation Deck. 

Finally, stroll along the west bank to explore unique shops like Asahiyaki pottery, more restaurants, the Tale of Genji Museum, and Tsuen Main Branch, one of the oldest tea houses in Uji. From here, cross Uji Bridge, whose origins date back over 1300 years, to complete your loop through the town.

5) Cycle through Uji

We normally love doing walking tours, but another great way to explore Uji would be on bicycle! This slow cycling tour will bring you to not only the classic landmarks like the Byodo-in temple, Uji Shrine, and Uji river, but also several places that would otherwise be hard to reach on foot.

On the way, you’ll also get to enjoy local delicacies at a specialty matcha green tea store. This is all led by a local guide so you will also gain a lot of insight on the local life here as well as important Japanese traditions! 

6) Explore the Tale of Genji Spots

Uji is the setting for the final chapters of The Tale of Genji, one of Japan’s oldest novels. It was written around the year 1000 and told an elegant story of Genji, a handsome prince, and his life of love, scandal, and politics during the Heian era. It is basically a window into 1000 year old Japanese high society. The final 10 chapters of the novel are set in Uji, and because of that the city is filled with Genji themed spots and experiences. 

You’ll find places like the Tale of Genji Museum, Genji Bridge, Asagiri Bridge, statues of Genji and To-no Chujo, and plenty of Genji inspired souvenirs. Whether you’ve read the book or just want to dip your toes into this world, it’s worth making a few stops at these Genji locations!

Tale of Genji Spots:

• Tale of Genji Museum
• Genji Bridge (Uji Bridge)
• Asagiri Bridge
• Statues of Genji and To-no Chujo

This post is part of our series about Japan. If you want to learn more about Japan, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:

2 Days Kyoto Itinerary: Exploring off the Typical Tourist Trail

33 Fun Things to Do in Japan: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

One day in Osaka: Itinerary Guide (2026)

Izu Peninsula Itinerary: Planning & Tips for the Perfect Izu Peninsula Road Trip

36 Essential Tips For Traveling in Japan: First-time Visitors Guide

10 Days in Japan: Complete Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (+ 2 Week Options)

30 Unique Things to do in Kyoto (2026)

Best Things to do in Izu Peninsula, Japan (2026)

32 Unique Things to do in Tokyo: Complete Travel Guide (2026)

Hidden Fushimi Inari Route: How to Explore Without the Crowds

7) Visit a Traditional Tea Plantation in Uji

Apart of indulging in all the matcha sweets and delicacies, one of the best ways to discover the tradition of matcha is through a Traditional Tea Plantation experience. Think of it like going to a vineyard to do wine tasting. 

During this Traditional tea plantation tour, you’ll spend 2.5 hours in Ujitawara, Kyoto, exploring the historic Kaki-i tea plantation with the 21st-generation head of the estate. On the tour, you’ll drive through rolling tea fields, learn about the origins of Japanese green tea (and the legacy of Soen Nagatani), and depending on the season, observe tea being harvested or processed. You’ll then enter the processing plant where they’ll reveal how tea becomes green tea. 

Afterwards, you’ll sit down in a 150-year-old traditional Japanese house to taste 3–4 varieties of organic Kaki-i tea. The host will walk you through the brewing techniques and flavour profiles. You even get to bring home some of the organic tea as a souvenir! 

Alternative Tea Plantation Tour

If this tour is too pricey for you, a fantastic alternative would be this Full-day Uji and Matcha plantation tour. It takes you to Uji’s most iconic landmarks before heading out to Wazuka, home to some of the region’s highest grade teas.

You’ll explore the scenic Ishitera Tea Plantation, visit Wazuka cha Cafe to sample different teas and matcha based desserts, and enjoy a mix of culture, scenery, and hands on tea experiences. It’s the perfect option for anyone who wants to learn about matcha, tour a plantation, and still have time to see Uji’s famous temples.

This tour lasts between 5.5-7 hours and you can check the price and availability here.

8) Have Lunch by Uji River

One of the best ways to enjoy the atmosphere of Uji is to have a picnic by the Uji River.

We grabbed some local strawberries and snacks from a grocery store, picked up drinks and matcha ice cream, and set up on To no shima Island near the thirteen story pagoda.

Our trip to Japan happened to be during sakura season, which made it even more magical, with both sides of the river lined with vibrant pink cherry blossoms. We ended up spending a good one to two hours there, snacking on local treats and people watching.

9) Visit during Cherry Blossom Season

Cherry blossom season in Japan is truly magical. We planned our previous trip around the sakuras and were lucky enough to catch them several times throughout Uji, Osaka, Kyoto, and especially during our Izu Peninsula road trip.

In central Japan, cherry blossoms typically bloom from late March to early April, but the timing can shift depending on the weather. We visited in early April, but an unusually cold season delayed the bloom by about one to two weeks.

Fortunately, we still caught peak blossoms near Shimoda in Uji, where the climate was a bit warmer. If you’re hoping to see the sakuras, check the Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast well in advance and book your accommodations early. It’s an incredibly popular time to visit, and hotels fill up fast.

Recommended Uji Day Trip Itinerary

To plan your Uji Day trip, you’ll need to first decide whether you want to visit on a guided experience, or independently like we did.

Our focus was a more relaxed day, enjoying the sakuras, and eating as much matcha desserts possible. For a similar itinerary, head over to Byodoin Omotesando Street for snacks, then grab a matcha latte and ice cream to enjoy along the peaceful banks of the Uji River. You can follow our Walking route mentioned above or just wander and let Uji surprise you. To finish the day, you can also visit the famous Byodo-in Temple.

When we have the chance to visit again, we would love to do the cycling through Uji tour, or one of the traditional Uji matcha experiences like the Tea plantation visit or the Tea ceremony with hands-on tea milling. These tours tend to range from 2-4 hours, so you’ll then have some free time after to souvenir shop on Byodoin Omotesando street or stroll the side streets to see the more off-the-beaten path side of Uji.   

Full day Tours of Uji, Japan

For those who are tight on time but still want to squeeze in as many highlights as possible, you’re in luck!

You can join this Kyoto & Uji Day trip including Kinkaju-ji Golden Pavillion, or this fun Nara deers and Uji day trip. Both are full 10 hour adventures departing from Osaka or Kyoto, perfect if you want to see more without the stress of planning.

How Much Time to Visit Uji

Uji is a small town that’s perfect for a day trip. We’d recommend setting aside around 4–5 hours to stroll Byodoin Omotesando Street, follow our walking route, visit Byodo-in Temple, and maybe join a traditional tea ceremony or tour a tea plantation. Uji is also often included as part of full-day tours that combine stops in Arashiyama, Kyoto, or Nara, so it’s easy to fit into a longer itinerary. 

All in all, 4–5 hours is plenty of time to see the highlights and really soak in the peaceful charm of this riverside town.

Where to stay in Uji, Japan

Uji can be easily done as a day trip but if you want to extend your stay amidst the rural charm, we would highly recommend checking out Hanayashiki Ukifune-en. This 4-star traditional Japanese inn has tatami rooms, peaceful views of the Uji River, indoor onsens, and beautifully prepared kaiseki meals. It instantly reminded us of the incredible ryokan stays we loved along the Izu Peninsula coast. If we were to spend a night in Uji, this would be our top pick.

For something more simple and budget-friendly, consider ADD-Hostel Uji Cha-Gan-Ju-Tei. It offers simple, clean bedrooms at an affordable price!

How to get to Uji from Osaka or Kyoto

Getting to Uji from Osaka or Kyoto is quick and affordable!

In most cases, it will take between 20-40 minutes and all you’ll need is your rechargeable ICOCA or SUICA cards. These reloadable cards are essential for getting around in Japan, especially the local train and bus systems, and you should pick it up right away when you arrive at the airport.

For those who want more details about exactly what the ICOCA/SUICA cards are, how they work, and how to get them, Klook wrote a very helpful ICOCA Complete Guide! Alternatively, we also shared our experience with which passes we bought and needed in Japan within our Nara Transportation Guide.

Visiting Uji is the easiest from Kyoto. If you’re departing from Kyoto, you’ll need to get to Kyoto Station, then take the yellow JR Nara line to go to Uji Station. The trip should take only around 20 minutes.

If you’re departing from Osaka, the trip is a little bit longer since you’ll need to first take the blue JR Kyoto line to get to Kyoto station, before taking the yellow JR Nara line. In total, this should take around 45 minutes. 

Once you arrive at Uji Station, it will be only a quick 10 minute walk to reach the main Byodoin Omotesando street! 

Below is a visual guide of how to get to Uji from Osaka or Kyoto.

recommended navigation app in Japan

To figure out the best way to get to Uji from your exact location in Japan, we recommend downloading the NaviTime app. What sets it apart from Google Maps is how specific and helpful it is. It shows the exact fare for every journey, tells you which routes are covered by your transit pass, and even points you to the correct train platform.

This was a lifesaver in Japan’s massive stations. It took so much stress out of navigating and made every train transfer a breeze. This is honestly one of our must know travel tips for first time visitors. For the rest of our essential advice, make sure to check out our Japan travel tips guide!

RECOMMENDED – Kansai Activities Pass for activities + JR Pass

For your visit to Japan, you can buy the Klook Activities Kansai which includes 3-8 local attractions (depending on the option you choose) and you can add the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass as a premium add-on. This is what we did, and we ended up using some of our attraction passes to see the Teamlab Botanical Garden in Osaka, a Kimono rental experience, and the Fu Fu No Yu Onsen experience.

For some reason, when we bought our Klook Pass Kansai, getting the 3 attractions + Premium add-on of JR Kansai Wide Area Pass ended up being cheaper than buying just the JR Kansai Wide Area pass alone on the JR website.

Not sure if it was a glitch or not but it’s certainly worth checking out and comparing. Either way, you can save up to 43% compared to buying the transport and activities tickets individually.

Once you have the JR Kansai Wide Area pass, which allows you unlimited access to the high speed shinkansens, it’ll be a breeze to experience some of the best day trips from Osaka/Kyoto like Nara, Okayama, Kobe, and more! Then all you’ll need is the ICOCA/SUICA Card. We share the details of our experience and which passes we got in our Nara Transport guide.

Using WISE card in Japan

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Recap: Best Things to do in Uji, Japan

Uji may be a small town, but it’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of busier cities like Kyoto and Osaka. It quickly became one of our favourite day trips, right up there with Nara and Kurashiki. We love towns that are rich in tradition and culture, with plenty of space to slow down, soak in nature, and connect with the local way of life, and Uji is exactly that.

From sipping freshly whisked matcha by the river to wandering under cherry blossoms or exploring centuries-old temples, it’s a day trip that feels both relaxing and memorable. After Uji, be sure to check out some of the other best day trips around the Kansai region. There’s so much hidden charm waiting just beyond the big cities of Osaka and Kyoto!