If you’re a fan of Uji Matcha, then this place is for you!!
I didn’t know that Uji is an actual location in Japan where they produce green tea. I thought it was just a type of matcha 🥺 (i know, i’m sorry). After discovering that I could actually visit Uji, ofc I had to put it on my itinerary– and it turned out to be my favorite part of the trip 🥳
There’s so many things to do in Uji, here’s what I loved:
1. Have Matcha Lunch & Dessert
First thing first! Let’s fill up our stomach with good food. I stopped by a quaint restaurant called Tsuen Main Branch , which was a cozy place by the Uji River. I tried out their:
- Matcha zaru soba: cool & refreshing, although matcha was a little faint.
- Matcha soba topped with red herring fish. This was pretty good. I liked the fish, but couldn’t really taste the matcha. It’s still a pleasant meal to have though.
- Various matcha & hojicha desserts. I drank the best ceremonial matcha here. The slight bitterness and creaminess were the most wonderful feeling & taste.
A cup of tea was provided before meal, and I was pleasantly ✨shooketh✨. It was the most lovely tea I’ve had in a restaurant. It has the most fragrant smell– loved it!!
2. Try out Tea Dango
Why not have some little snacks to keep you energized? 😃 This dango has matcha, hojicha, and sencha in one stick. Such unique dango that I’ve never seen before. It’s also very affordable & the lady over there was very lovely. Definitely need to drop by Marukichi!
3. Take a Stroll in the Area
The old town by the river is such a beautiful area. There’s an array of shops selling various tea, not just matcha. I also found a really interesting product at Itoh Kyuemon: matcha curry! haha. I still have yet to try it though.
I also found a beautiful bowl to whisk up some matcha at a shop nearby.
I also wanted to highlight the amazing service that all shops put for their customers. It was raining when I was there and ofc that didn’t stop me from doing lots of shopping 😀 And each shop put plastic covers on my shopping bags 😭😭😭 such a nice gesture.
4. Visit Byodo-in Temple
If you’re looking for more zen view, consider visiting the iconic Byodo-in Temple. This is the temple featured in Japanese 10 yen coin. Tbh I only went inside to cut down our walking route, but apparently it was such a good decision. Take your time to feel the surrounding and ponder at the relaxing view here.
5. Visit the Aesthetic Starbucks
If tea is not really your cup of tea, there’s always a Starbucks nearby lol. And what’s special about this Starbucks is their very picturesque location 🥰
How to get to Uji?
From Kyoto Station, you can take the Rapid Miyakoji Train to Nara. It’ll take you around 20 mins to reach Uji from Kyoto. I’d suggest you to take the Rapid Miyakoji Train service, NOT the local train service which stops at each station. The 2 trains share the same platform, so it’s important to look at the train announcement board before getting into the train.
For more info on transit, this is a good website to look at: Kyoto Station website.
Anything Else?
Uji is located between Kyoto and Nara. So, I went to Nara after and then went back to Kyoto for dinner. Nara is also a beautiful place, with deers roaming around & yummy snacks to get. But sadly I couldn’t find that many deers roaming around, probably because it was raining that time.
So, how excited are you to plan your next trip to Uji? 😉
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