Uji is one of my favorite towns in Japan for a slower kind of trip.

I’ve been to Uji three times now, but my first two visits were only quick day trips from Kyoto. Usually just enough time for matcha parfaits, matcha soba, a matcha and hojicha haul, and a walk around Byodoin before rushing to Nara and then back to Kyoto.

This last trip though, I stayed for 2 nights instead.

And while Uji does get very quiet at night (like, genuinely quiet, not Tokyo-suburb quiet), I ended up loving it even more because of that. There’s also just something about waking up in Uji, walking to a matcha shop before the day-trippers arrive and you get to be one of the first people on the queue.

So if you’re wondering what there is to actually do in Uji besides drinking matcha for 3 hours straight (which, for the record, is a completely valid itinerary), here are some of my favorite things to do in this peaceful little tea town.

Getting to Uji

Before jumping in, Uji is really easy to reach from Kyoto or Nara. From Kyoto Station, the JR Nara Line takes about 17 minutes to JR Uji Station.

From Kyoto Station, you can take the Rapid Miyakoji Train bound for Nara. Take the Rapid Miyakoji Train service, instead of 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.

If you’re doing a day trip, I’d suggest arriving before 10am to beat the queues at popular matcha spots. If you’re staying overnight like I did, you’ll get that quieter experience in the mornings and evenings that makes Uji feel really special.

1. Take a (half) daytrip to Wazuka

If you have extra time in Uji, I highly recommend going to Wazuka. The tea fields here are genuinely stunning!

Rows of tea fields which are somehow arranged so neatly (you can go for a tea farm tour, I had mine organized by Nana from @capturethemoment.japan), countryside roads, and some of the prettiest scenery in Kyoto Prefecture.

Wazuka produces a large portion of Uji’s tea, so visiting here gives you a whole new appreciation for the matcha you’ve been sipping. You can join a tea farm tour, walk through the fields, and just soak in some of the prettiest scenery in all of Kyoto Prefecture.

It feels like the calmer, even slower version of Uji.

Wazuka is just about 20-30 minutes drive from Uji. As Indonesians are not allowed to drive in Japan, we booked a one day tour with a local guide.

I highly recommend booking a local tour for a farm visit, especially during the busy harvest season. By doing this, you would get better farm options who can actually provide an immersive tour (some farms don’t take tours during the busy harvest season, so make sure beforehand!).

2. Buy matcha, obviously

You really can’t come to Uji without bringing home matcha 😉

The tea sold in Uji is some of the highest quality you’ll find anywhere, and many shops have been operating for generations.

Here are some of my favorite shops for matcha, in no particular order:

• Horii Shichimeien
• Yamada-en Tea Stall
• Ocha no Kanbayashi – more on this shop later because they also do something really special
• Yamamasa Koyamaen – slightly outside the central area but worth the detour if you’re looking for this viral matcha
• Marukyu Koyamaen – just steps away from Yamamasa, so visiting both is easy to do together

3. Buy hojicha too

Matcha gets all the attention, but hojicha deserves love too. I always make some time to visit Hoho Hojicha for some hojicha powder. It’s become a non-negotiable part of every Uji visit for me now.

You’ll smell the warm, roasted scent of hojicha from the street before you even step inside. It’s such a cozy, welcoming smell. The shop is small but nicely curated, with a tiny cafe. I usually stock up here and then immediately regret not buying more by the time I’m home

4. Eat green tea soba

A bowl of green tea soba just feels mandatory in Uji. I usually have mine at Tsuen Main Branch , apparently it’s one of the oldest shops in Uji.

5. Eat the famous matcha parfait in a bamboo bowl at Nakamura Tokichi

Yes, there’s usually a long queue. Yes, people post it everywhere. And yes, I still think it’s worth trying.

Nakamura Tokichi’s matcha parfait is genuinely one of the most beautiful desserts I’ve had in Japan. The presentation in the bamboo bowl makes it feel extra special, and the matcha flavor is rich without being bitter.

They do a smart system where they give you a QR code to track your queue number, so you can stroll around the area and come back when your table is close to ready. That alone makes the wait feel much less frustrating.

I’d recommend going either right when they open, or timing your visit for a weekday if possible.

6. Eat another matcha parfait

Because apparently one parfait isn’t enough in Uji.

Different shops have noticeably different matcha intensities, and comparing them becomes its own little activity.

We had a second parfait at Tsujiri Hei Honten, which was completely different from Nakamura Tokichi’s version. The one we tried was finished with champagne syrup (champagne and matcha together— unexpectedly lovely), and the matcha itself tasted bolder and more astringent. If you like your matcha strong and slightly bitter, you’ll probably prefer Tsujiri’s version. If you like something a bit more rounded and sweet, Nakamura Tokichi might be your pick.

7. Visit Uji’s local supermarket

One of my favorite habits when I’m in a new area is checking out a local supermarket. The Uji one is full of greenery— not just the fresh kind, but every shade of matcha product you can imagine. Matcha Kit Kats, matcha mochi, matcha rice crackers, hojicha candies, loose leaf tea at very reasonable prices.

Local supermarket finds make excellent affordable souvenirs, and they’re usually cheaper than the specialty tea shops for everyday items.

8. Have irori-style dinner at Irori Beniya

After eating matcha desserts all day, having a warm irori-style dinner feels extra comforting.

We had the mackerel and salmon sets for dinner. Both were fresh and well-seasoned. We finished everything, which is always a good sign. I personally liked the mackerel more; it had a slightly smokier, richer flavor (it was so tender and flaky, yum!!). If you’re staying overnight in Uji, this is the kind of dinner that makes the overnight stay worth it.

I would say that reservation is not mandatory as it’s not that crowded when we went. We walked in and had the place just for the two of us.

9. Visit Byodo-in

Byodo-in is Uji’s most famous landmark. It’s the same temple that appears on the Japanese 10-yen coin.

I like how calm the surrounding garden feels, and how the reflection of the temple in the pond changes completely depending on the light and time of day.

There is an entry fee of 700 JPY (as of May 2026).

10. Try a matcha stone grinding session

Some tea shops in Uji let you experience grinding matcha using a traditional stone mill with an extra fee. We had a go at Ocha no Kanbayashi, where after grinding your own small batch, you get to taste two bowls of matcha— the one you made yourself, and one from their kitchen; alongside a traditional Japanese sweet.

It takes more effort than it looks. You’re apparently supposed to grind it fast and in consistent speed… but that stone mill was h e a v y. If you grind it slowly with fluctuating speed, then your matcha would give a more bitter taste. Keep on grinding and in about 10 turns, you’ll get a very small amount of matcha powder.

After spending a day at the tea fields in Wazuka and doing this activity, I just began to comprehend the amount of time, care, and labor that goes into every tiny bowl of matcha. It made me genuinely appreciate every sip of matcha a lot more.

11. Walk around the town with no plan

One of the best things about Uji is genuinely just wandering without a tight itinerary. The main street between the two train stations is lined with tiny tea shops, small snack stalls, and the occasional ceramics or craft shop.

12. Cross Uji Bridge or one of the bridge in the area

The one picture above is Tachibana bridge, just steps away from the shopping street. It’s one of the nicest places in town for a slow walk and to take in all the scenery.

The views of the river and the surrounding hills are especially nice in the late afternoon. You can do this at the same time as #18 (continue scrolling below!) 🙂

13. Browse (and resist buying) pottery matcha bowls

Uji has several ceramics and pottery shops selling beautiful handmade matcha bowls (chawan).

This is a dangerous activity if you love collecting mugs, plates, or tiny ceramics you definitely do not have luggage space for. I myself did eventually buy one. No regrets.

14. Get a cute Kyoto Duck souvenir

Are the tiny duck souvenirs necessary? Absolutely not. Did I still want to buy them? Immediately. This cute Mt. Fuji duck never fails to make me smile every single time.

15. Visit the aesthetic Starbucks Coffee

Even the Starbucks in Uji somehow looks calm and beautiful. The traditional Kyoto-influenced style exterior blends into the street surprisingly well, and it’s a nice stop for a slower afternoon break.

If you’re traveling with someone who’s more of a coffee person than a tea person, I’d say this is a good diplomatic stop.

16. Visiting in May? Try sipping some shincha

May is usually the busiest season for tea farmers in Uji, as it is their harvest season.

If you’re in Uji during May, look out for shincha (新茶) — literally “new tea,” the season’s freshest first harvest. Shincha has a noticeably different flavor from regular green tea: lighter, greener, sweeter, and with a fresh grassy quality that’s hard to describe until you taste it.

Many tea shops in Uji put out limited shincha batches during this time, and drinking it here, in the town where it was grown, makes it feel extra special.

Tip: If you’re keen on trying one, head to Nakamura Tokichi Main Store across the JR Station. They would kindly offer you to taste their shincha while browsing inside the store.

17. Eat tea dango

My personal favorite dango in Uji is Marukichi.

Their tea dango comes in three different varieties on one stick: matcha, hojicha, and sencha— so you get to taste all three in one go and compare them. The texture is soft and chewy, and the tea flavors are quite pronounced (strong taste, but it did not taste artificial).

I went here twice already. The lady owner was always warm, even with my very limited Japanese. Highly recommend stopping by if you happen to walk by.

18. Do absolutely nothing by the Uji River

If all the matcha shops and sightseeing activities start feeling like too much, one of the best things to do in Uji is probably just slowing down by the river for a while.

Grab a drink or snack, sit on a bench near the Uji River, and watch the clear water moving while people cross Uji Bridge in the distance.

It’s such a simple experience, but spending a slow afternoon by the Uji River ended up becoming one of my favorite memories from Uji.

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That’s what staying overnight in Uji gives you: the unhurried time to just be somewhere, instead of rushing to the next thing.

Have you been to Uji, or is it on your Japan itinerary?

I’d love to hear what you thought of it in the comments! 🍵

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