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Best Day Trip Guide to Uji, Matcha Capital of Japan
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items Uji is the matcha capital of Japan and it truly has the best matcha you can find! Make this a fun day trip - it's close to both Kyoto and Osaka and is easily accessible by train.
Sections
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8:45 AM - Arrive in Uji Station
10:30 AM - Walk around the main street, explore cafes and get matcha!
12:30 PM - Grab lunch
2:00 PM Explore Uji Park
3:00 PM Matcha Milling Workshop
4:00 PM Explore Byodo-in Temple area
8:45 AM - Arrive in Uji Station
Start the day early as many matcha shops already have a line out the door waiting for the shop to open! Here are a list of matcha shops I visited in Uji and what I would recommend getting.
First stop on my matcha shopping journey was this quaint shop. They give you a detailed list of their available matchas, flavor profiles and other distinct notes, like whether it can be used in a latte or should be had alone. You can sample some of t...
Marukyu Koyamaen Main Plant
My second matcha stop was at the tea shop across the street from Marukyu. Same type of experience here!
YAMAMASA KOYAMAEN CO., LTD.
This is a shop and a cafe. I stopped here to try matcha and purchase a few sweets (matcha financier) and tea (green tea and hojicha).
TEA SQUARE MORIHAN
10:30 AM - Walk around the main street, explore cafes and get matcha!
After you're done picking up matcha, head to the main strip right outside of Uji station. There are shops lined up there, all opening around 10am. Take your time exploring and eating/drinking all that Uji has to offer!
Come early as they run out of goods in the afternoon! Tried their matcha bread stuffed with cream and it was so good but also so heavy. I couldn't finish the whole thing myself.
Mogmog Bakery
My first matcha latte of the day and it was a special for Sakura season. I ordered the Sakura rock salt matcha latte. Sakura flavor was very faint but it was salty and that foam went well with the matcha latte overall.
Matcha Republic
Cute outdoor café in the back with sweets and snacks offered in the front of the store. Their café doesn't open until 11 or 12pm so it's best to come a little later to take advantage of the outdoor seating. Ordered a matcha ice cream here that was de...
Tsuijiri Uji Main Store
Picked up my second matcha latte here for the day. They have a pretty big seating area that overlooks Uji River and an upstairs as well.
Omotesando Byodo-in
Ordered both matcha ice cream and hojicha ice cream and they were both delicious! Highly recommend getting a sweet treat here.
Masuda Chaho
12:30 PM - Grab lunch
Take a quick break to have lunch. I added some recommendations below, along with the restaurants I ate at!
Decided to go for curry since I haven't had much of it while in Japan. I got to select 2 curries, both of which were super flavorful and unique. Highly recommend stopping by for lunch!
Wocca Rocca Curry
2:00 PM Explore Uji Park
Uji Park is absolutely beautiful on a clear day. Overlooking a river with many spots to sit down and enjoy the view. Take a leisurely walk in the Park before heading to your next activity.
Walk in the park overlooking Uji River, it is really beautiful, especially on a sunny day.
Uji River
A lovely afternoon stroll along the river. Offers a nice view and is very serene.
Uji Park
3:00 PM Matcha Milling Workshop
This is a must-do! Not only do you learn about matcha, but you get to grind your own matcha with the stone mill before learning how to properly whisk it.
This is the matcha milling experience I booked. You can also book direct with a teahouse as another option (next link).
Tea Museum Tickets and Matcha Grinding Experience
This is the link to book direct at one of the teahouses.
Uji Tea Factory - Matcha Milling Experience
Optional tour I recommend taking. Wazuka is the nearby matcha fields where the tea leaves are grown. It is beautiful to be able to see the tea fields themselves and you may be able to pick your own tea leaves to turn into tea/matcha!
Uji and Wazuka Matcha Farm Half Day Private Guided Tour
4:00 PM Explore Byodo-in Temple area
A beautiful area right outside of the oldest teahouse in Uji, featuring a temple in the middle.
Really beautiful in person and the grounds are very peaceful to walk around in.
Byodo-in Temple & Uji Park
The oldest tea house in Uji is located close to Byodo-in Temple. Walk inside and taste some tea and explore the history of tea in the museum.
Tea Museum and Tsuen Teahouse
5:00 PM Explore Uji Shrine, Daikichiyama fuchi Park and Daikichiyama Observation Deck
Walk up to the Daikichiyama deck for a spectacular view of the city. If you can, catch sunset here before heading back.
Beautiful shrine that is on the way to Daikichiyama fuchi park. Go with a guide to learn more anout the history and significance of this shrine.
Ujigami Shrine
An expansive overlook of the entire city of Uji. Really breathtaking to look at, especially during sunset after a long day. I didn't run into any tourists while I was up there, it's a spot only a few locals go to enjoy.
Daikichiyama Observation Deck
6:00 PM Grab dinner & head back
Many places close at around 5pm, but there are some restaurants/izakayas that stay open for a bit longer. If you haven't had enough of Uji yet, grab dinner before heading back to your hotel.
Really nice owners and good food. Much more about small plates here, which means you get to try more food!
Nico
Really fresh sashimi here, would recommend stopping in. Owners are friendly and don't speak a lot of English, but translation apps make it easy to communicate!
Roji