If you’re craving an authentic matcha experience away from the crowds of Kyoto, Uji is the perfect place to visit. This charming town – just a 30-minute train ride south of Kyoto – is the historic heart of Japan’s green tea culture, where some of the country’s finest matcha has been produced for over 800 years. Spending one day in Uji gives you plenty of time to sip world-class matcha, visit historic temples, stroll across scenic bridges, enjoy peaceful riverside walks, and indulge in excellent local food. Compact, relaxed, and rich in tradition, Uji makes an ideal day trip from Kyoto if you are looking to slow down and experience a more authentic side of Japan.
How to get to Uji, Japan
From Kyoto: Take the JR Nara Line to Uji Station (17 minutes) or the Keihan Line to Keihan Uji Station (25 minutes from Keihan Sanjo). The JR station drops you closer to Byōdō-in temple.
From Osaka: JR trains from Osaka Station take about 50 minutes.
Getting Around Uji: Everything in this itinerary is walkable. The town is compact, and you can cover the main sites on foot in a day. Wear comfortable shoes – you can expect to walk about 3-4 miles.
In the morning
Plan to arrive in Uji early in the morning for two compelling reasons. First, you’ll enjoy a quieter, more refined start to the day – perfect for a relaxed breakfast or your first bowl of matcha before the town fills with visitors. Second, arriving early significantly increases your chances of purchasing high-quality matcha. As global demand for premium Japanese green tea continues to surge, even Uji’s producers often sell out by midday. To manage scarcity, many shops now limit purchases to one tin of matcha per person, making an early arrival essential for securing the finest selections.
Breakfast
Kick off your day at Tsujirihei Honten – Uji Main Shop (opens at 10:00am), by far our favorite tea house in Uji. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, this elegant tea house offers a serene garden setting and an impeccably curated space that feels like a peaceful retreat from the moment you arrive. The food is as beautiful as it is delicious, with thoughtfully presented matcha dishes and seasonal specialties that showcase Uji’s tea heritage at its finest. We loved it so much that we visited twice in one day! Stop by for breakfast, lunch, or a leisurely pause to enjoy expertly prepared matcha and refined desserts.
Alternatively, try Tsuen Tea (opens at 10:30am), the world’s oldest tea shop (yes, really- it’s been around since 1160). Grab a spot overlooking the Uji River and order their matcha set breakfast. You’ll get fresh matcha tea paired with traditional Japanese breakfast items. The view alone is worth waking up early.
Take A Hands-On Matcha Tea Experience
Next take a class to learn the art of whisking your own matcha. Head to one of these spots:
Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo Factory
Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo is perfect if you want a deeper dive. Their workshop lets you grind tea leaves by hand using traditional stone mills, then whisk your own matcha. It’s surprisingly meditative. Book ahead online – these fill up fast, especially on weekends.
Pro tip: Be sure to reach out and make a reservation for the Matcha making workshop well ahead of your visit as classes are small and sell out.
Taihoan Tea House
Taihoan Tea House at Byōdō-in Temple offers 30-minute tea ceremony experiences where you’ll learn proper whisking technique and matcha etiquette. It’s intimate, authentic, and you get to drink your creation. Sessions run every hour.
Pro tip: Wear comfortable clothes you can sit in. You’ll be on tatami mats.
Tea and Uji Community Center, Chazuna
The Uji Community Center also offers matcha making classes and experiences. If you are visiting with young kids, this is a perfect place to try matcha making. You will also learn about the history and culture of Uji tea.
In the afternoon
Spend the afternoon exploring Uji’s rich history and soaking in the beautiful natural scenery that surrounds the town. Afterwards, wander through local tea shops, sample different matcha, and experience firsthand the passion and pride behind Uji’s world-famous green tea.
Visit Byōdō-in Temple
This UNESCO World Heritage site is Uji’s crown jewel, and it’s literally on the 10-yen coin. The Phoenix Hall, built in 1053, sits perfectly reflected in a peaceful pond – it is an absolutely beautiful site to sit and admire.
Walk through the temple gardens slowly. The maple trees are incredible in autumn, and the wisteria blooms in spring are equally stunning. Don’t miss the museum inside, which houses original temple treasures and the famous Phoenix statues.
Entry as of our visit was ¥600, and the grounds take about 45 minutes to explore properly.
Cross the Uji Bridge
Take a five-minute stroll to the beautiful Uji Bridge, one of Japan’s oldest bridges. The river views are magnificent, and you’ll understand why this area inspired so much classical Japanese literature. The Tale of Genji – a classic work of Japanese literature written in the early 11th century by Murasaki Shikibu, has an entire chapter set here.
Cross into Tachibana Island and enjoy the Uji Park and admire its pagoda built in the 13th century.
Do some tea shopping
Uji’s main shopping street is lined with tea shops that have been family-run for generations. We did our fair share of shopping for matcha from different matcha producers. Here are some of our favorites:
- Itoh Kyuemon – Byodo-in Temple for matcha tasting and beautiful tea sets. Their staff will let you sample different grades of matcha – you’ll taste the difference between ceremonial and cooking grade instantly.
- Tsujiri Uji Main Store has a cafe attached where you can try matcha soft serve. Then browse their tea selection upstairs. They’ll vacuum-seal your purchases so your matcha stays fresh on the flight home.
- As mentioned above, our favorite tea house in Uji – Tsujirihei Honten – Uji Main Shop, also has a store where you can purchase different strength matcha and matcha products. We absolutely love this place!
- The Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo factory has a large store where you can buy not just matcha but also the highest quality Japanese green tea – Gyokuro, as well as matcha and tea pottery sets.
- The Nakamura Tokichi Main Store is a popular choice for purchasing high quality matcha and teas. Be prepared to wait, as this place is a first stop for many tourists coming to Uji, however, their matcha is definitely worth the wait.
There are many more stores in Uji selling matcha and teas and you will be able to find the quality and smoothness of matcha that you desire. However, be aware that the quantity you can purchase may be limited in many shops due to demand exceeding production.
Finally, don’t be shy about asking questions. These tea merchants love sharing their knowledge, and many speak enough English to explain the differences between their products.
Quick tips
Best Time to Visit: Spring (March-May) for cherry blossoms and wisteria, or autumn (October-November) for fall colors. Summer is hot and humid, winter is quieter.
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, a reusable bag for tea shopping, cash (some smaller shops don’t take cards), and an extra space in your suitcase – you’ll want room for all that matcha.
Timing: We spent a full day in Uji and really enjoyed taking our time and appreciating what this town has to offer. However, you can easily do Uji as a half-day trip too, hitting just the temple and a tea ceremony.
What we loved about Uji, Japan
- Matcha is part of everyday life
Every tea shop, café, and even local resident has an opinion on matcha. Conversations about flavor, strength, and quality are common, and that passion is what makes Uji matcha so exceptional. - A town made for slow travel
Uji is wonderfully walkable, encouraging you to slow down and explore at your own pace. It’s the kind of place where you linger longer than planned — and don’t regret it. - Beautiful nature and riverside views
The Uji River and surrounding greenery are breathtaking. With several peaceful parks along the water, it’s easy to relax, reflect, and enjoy a quieter side of Japan. - Compare matcha from different producers
One of the best things to do in Uji is tasting matcha from multiple tea producers. You’ll start to notice the subtle differences in smoothness, bitterness, and depth — something you can only truly appreciate at the source. - A walk through Japanese history at Byōdō-in Temple
The iconic Byōdō-in Temple and its gardens are a must-see. Walking through the grounds feels like stepping back in time and offers a deeper connection to Japan’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
In closing, if you’re looking for an authentic matcha experience, Uji, Japan is unmatched. It’s not just a destination — it’s an invitation to slow down, sip thoughtfully, and experience matcha the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
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