Picture a quiet and charming place steeped in history and some of the most delicious tea in the world – that’s Uji, a city in Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture that makes for a great side trip from the cities of Kyoto or Nara. Here are some of the scenic places you can discover on your trip to this history-rich city.
Table of Contents
Byōdō-in
Byōdō-in is a Buddhist temple built in 1052 and now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its main feature is Phoenix Hall (Hōō-dō), a large building with two gold phoenix statues adorning the roof. Phoenix Hall also graces the back of Japan’s 10 yen coin. A guided tour of the building (in Japanese with accompanying written English explanations) is offered for an extra fee. During the tour, guests can see up close the remarkable height of the cypress and gold leaf statue of Amida Buddha crafted by the Heian period sculptor Jōchō. Along the walls surrounding Amida Buddha are the bodhisattvas believed to have guided the souls of those who had just passed away to Paradise.
Included in the price of admission is access to the underground museum, which contains a wealth of information about Buddhism and the temple’s history. It houses many sculptures, paintings, and artifacts.
The natural beauty of the property is highlighted by the green gardens and pond surrounding Phoenix Hall, designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government.
Uji Bridge & Murasaki Shikibu Statue
Uji is home to some of the locations featured in Tale of Genji, which is considered by some scholars to be the world’s first written novel. Uji Bridge is one such location. Right at the base of the bridge, under the shade of a pine tree, is a statue of Tale of Genji author Murasaki Shikibu. Her history is quite fascinating – she was born into the noble court of Kyoto during the Heian period, a time when rigid gender roles were adhered to and women’s education was limited. She took it upon herself to learn writing and literature, and thus began to write her own works, many of which were inspired by her life among the nobility. She was considered something of an outsider in the court due to her subversion of gender expectations, but since her death has become a highly regarded classical writer. Likewise, Tale of Genji has become an important text in Japanese literary history.
The view walking along Uji Bridge is breathtaking. The sun glinting off the surface of the bright blue Uji River, the tree-covered mountains, and the open sky all culminate into a beautiful vista.
Tsuen Tea Shop
Tsuen is world’s oldest continuous tea shop, operating for more than 800 years and spanning 24 generations of the Tsuen family. The shop sells many varieties of green tea, including matcha, gyokuro, and sencha. What better souvenir to bring back than tea from the world’s oldest tea shop!
The restaurant attached to it overlooks Uji Bridge and the Uji River and serves all green-tea themed items: green tea noodles, green tea ice cream, green tea dango, etc. Visitors can dine right where samurai and monks of the olden days were served tea.
Shops Along the Streets of Uji
Ambling through the streets of Uji City is bliss for tea lovers. It is not an overstatement to say there are green tea goodies tucked into every corner of Uji, from the muffins with rich green tea filling sold in Mogmog Bakery to the thick rock salt and cream cheese matcha lattes from Matcha Republic. There are also many little cafés and craft stores dotted along the roads.
There are a plethora of shops where you can buy high-quality tea to take back home. Remember that Uji-grown tea is considered some of the best in all of Japan!
Access to Uji
The trip from Kyoto Station to Uji Station on the JR Nara Line takes about 20-30 minutes depending on the number of stops the train makes along the way.
The trip from Nara Station to Uji Station on the JR Nara Line takes 30-45 minutes depending on the number of stops the train makes along the way.
Final Thoughts
It is easy to fall in love with Uji the second you arrive at Uji Station and see the quaint tea shops and buildings sporting traditional Japanese architecture. It is rich in history, playing home to the world’s oldest tea shop, locations from the world’s oldest known novel, and a Buddhist temple that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The atmosphere is calm and quiet, a departure from the rush of activity in the more crowded cities. This is a lovely place to explore, and if you are pressed for time, it makes for a nice side trip from the cities of Kyoto or Nara. If you love tea and Japanese history, add Uji to your itinerary!
(All photos taken by Clara Juliette)
Pin it!
Clara hopes to share her love of exploring cultures and inspire others through the power of storytelling. In addition to writing and travel, she loves psychology, nature, green tea, and cats.