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Let’s take a day trip to Uji (宇治), a picturesque riverside town located on the southern outskirts of Kyoto! Celebrated for its high-quality matcha and home to one of Japan’s most ancient bridges, it brims with alluring history and tea culture.

People walk along a stone-lined path in Uji, surrounded by vibrant orange and red autumn trees, with sunlight filtering through the colorful foliage.

When autumn arrives, Kyoto transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of colors. After soaking in the sights of the city and Arashiyama, I made my way to South Kyoto to explore Uji.

The air was crisp, the rivers sparkled in the autumn sunlight, and the streets were lined with tea shops and historic temples. Famous for its green tea and matcha, Uji offers some of Japan’s most iconic riverside scenery, capturing the season perfectly.

Autumn in Kyoto Series

This is the third installment of a four-part series on experiencing autumn in Kyoto. Here, I share my top tips for enjoying the 紅葉 (kōyō – autumn leaves) at their most beautiful.

How to get to Uji

Uji has two railway stations: JR Uji Station and Keihan Uji Station.

JR Uji Station is on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station. The rapid train takes 20 minutes, while the local train takes 30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 240 yen, and the ride is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Keep in mind, JR Uji Station is a bit farther from the main attractions.

Keihan Uji Station is on the Keihan Uji Line. From central Tokyo, you can catch the train at Sanjo Station or Gion Shijo Station. The journey takes about 40 minutes, but the Japan Rail Pass does not cover this line. Keihan Uji Station is closer to Uji’s main sights, which makes it convenient if you plan to explore on foot.

What is Uji famous for?

A serene river flows through the quiet town of Uji, bordered by stone walls, trees with autumn foliage, and distant hills under a partly cloudy sky. Some buildings are visible along the riverbank.

Uji (宇治) is a small city between Kyoto and Nara, best known as the birthplace of Japanese matcha. This charming riverside town also appears in the final chapters of the 11th-century classic The Tale of Genji and is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Byodoin Temple and Ujigami Shrine.

Tea has deep roots here. In the 13th century, monks Saicho and Kukai brought tea plants from China, and the Zen priest Eisai encouraged their cultivation. With fertile soil and ideal terrain, Uji quickly became Japan’s premier tea-growing region. Today, its green tea is celebrated worldwide.

All around Uji, you’ll find tea fields and even hands-on harvesting experiences between April and October. I drove out to Wazuka Tea Plantation and was rewarded with some of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever seen.

Byodo-In Temple

A traditional Japanese temple in Uji with intricate red and white architecture is reflected in a calm pond, surrounded by autumn trees with red and green foliage under a partly cloudy sky.

The main historical attraction in Uji is Byodo-In Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I arrived early to beat the crowds and was greeted by rows of red maple trees leading to the entrance.

Even ten minutes before opening, there was already a small line. Admission is 600 yen.

Byodo-In Temple Phoenix Hall

A traditional Japanese temple with red wooden beams and ornate roofs stands beside a calm pond in Uji, reflecting the building. Trees and greenery surround the structure under a cloudy sky.

Originally a villa built in 998, Byodoin was transformed into a temple in 1052 by Fujiwara no Yorimichi. Its Phoenix Hall, crowned with golden phoenix statues, symbolizes the Buddhist “Pure Land.”

Inside, you’ll find a striking Amida Buddha statue surrounded by murals of paradise. Entry to the hall requires an additional 300 yen ticket with a timed tour (Japanese only).

The temple’s reflection in the pond is breathtaking, especially in autumn. You may also recognize it from Japan’s 10 yen coin and 10,000 yen bill. The grounds include a museum, a café, and smaller shrines.

After exploring, stroll along Byodoin Omotesando, a lively street lined with tea shops and cafés. I stopped for a creamy matcha latte at ますだ茶舗 TEA STAND SHOP, a refreshing pick-me-up before continuing.

Matcha Flavors in Uji

A Japanese meal set on a wooden table features Uji green tea, cold green soba noodles, tempura vegetables, sushi, pickled vegetables, seaweed, and dipping sauce. The dishes are arranged neatly on trays and plates.

All around Uji, cafés and restaurants highlight green tea in their dishes, with green tea soba being a local favorite.

Tucked along a narrow side street, I found Torikiku, a family-run soba shop with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. For just $8 (in 2023), I enjoyed a zaru green tea soba set complete with sushi, tempura, and pickles. The soba had just the right earthy flavor, and the homely atmosphere made the meal even more memorable.

Tea Ceremony at Taihoan

A smiling person wearing glasses sits at a traditional Japanese tea ceremony table in Uji, holding a bamboo ladle over a teapot, with tea utensils and cups arranged neatly in front of them.

For a more traditional experience, I joined a tea ceremony at Taihoan, a small tea house near Byodoin. In a tatami room, a kimono-clad host prepared bowls of matcha with such grace and precision that it felt like a moving meditation. Each bowl came with a piece of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet).

Afterward, I tried a matcha-making workshop, learning the proper way to use the bamboo whisk to create the frothy foam. The staff were welcoming, and some spoke English, making the process easy to follow.

For more details about reservations, please visit their website here.

Ujigami Shrine

A wide river, reminiscent of the scenic Uji region, flows between tree-covered hills with autumn foliage under a clear blue sky. Rocky banks line the water, and a few buildings are visible among the trees on the right.

After leaving Taihoan, I wandered across the bridges and small islands along the Uji River. You can also take a leisurely boat ride here, and in the evening, traditional cormorant fishing is performed, much like the events in Arashiyama.

Nearby is Ujigami Shrine, believed to date back to 1060 and recognized as Japan’s oldest standing Shinto shrine. Originally built as a guardian shrine for Byodoin, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The grounds are free to enter and, though modest, are especially lovely in autumn. The shrine’s nagare-zukuri style, with its asymmetrical roof, adds to the quiet charisma.

Kosho-Ji Temple

A traditional Japanese gate in Uji stands over a stone path lined with autumn trees. People walk along the path under vibrant red and orange foliage, enjoying a sunny day.

Nearby, Kosho-ji Temple features one of Uji’s most scenic approaches along the maple-lined Kotozaka slope. Inside, you’ll find serene gardens, a stone pagoda, and striking “bloody ceilings” made from castle floorboards.

Admission is 500 yen, and the temple is especially enchanting in autumn. If you visit on the first Sunday of October, don’t miss the Uji Tea Festival, where priests offer ceremonial bowls of tea to honor the pioneers of Uji’s tea culture.

Fukujuen Uji

A wooden display shelf in a Japanese store showcases neatly arranged Uji packaged goods, books, and signs with Japanese writing, softly lit by warm lights and featuring a decorative fan on the top shelf.

What better way to end a trip to Uji than with more matcha? I visited Fukujuen Uji, a tea shop and cultural center. Here you can learn how matcha is made, grind your own tea leaves, or join a tea ceremony.

The café upstairs serves matcha-inspired dishes and desserts. I treated myself to Uji matcha anmitsu, a refreshing bowl of agar jelly, fruit, red bean, mochi, matcha ice cream, and sweet matcha syrup.

Final Thoughts

Uji is a city full of history, breathtaking scenery, and incredible food and drinks. Matcha lovers will feel right at home, and whether you visit for a day or stay longer, there’s plenty to discover at a relaxed pace.

After Uji, I continued on to Osaka to enjoy more fall foliage. You can follow along in the Osaka Autumn Foliage Guide and keep exploring the beauty of autumn in Japan.

More to Explore Nearby

Uji is renowned for its historical temples, connection to classic Japanese literature, and, most importantly, its superb green tea. It is ideally situated near Kyoto’s most iconic and culturally rich districts.

  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) – Visit this striking Zen temple, famous for its upper floors entirely covered in gold leaf and its picturesque reflection across a tranquil pond.
  • Gion District – Explore Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, where historic wooden machiya houses line the streets and traditional culture thrives.
  • Sanjusangendo Temple – Discover the world’s longest wooden temple hall, housing a thousand life-sized statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.
  • Nishiki Market (Kyoto) – Explore Kyoto’s “Kitchen,” a bustling narrow arcade where you can sample unique pickled foods, traditional sweets, and local Kyoto ingredients.

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