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Kyoto Wayfinder

02Beyond the Classics · South of Kyoto

Uji Tea and River Loop

宇治茶と宇治川の散歩

Tea, temple architecture, and a quieter river walk south of Kyoto.

The Uji River and historic Uji Bridge in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture
Uji River and Uji Bridge · UjiDmitry Romanoff · Unsplash License

01Getting there

Nearest station

Use JR for speed or Keihan when coming from Gion.

Opening hours

Byodo-in and tea shops keep separate hours.

Admission

Byodo-in admission applies; river walks are free.

02Walking sequence

宇治

Only the 09:00 start is recorded. Arrival times for later stops and leg-by-leg travel times are not provided.

  1. START

    Uji Station

    Arrive at JR Uji or Keihan Uji Station in the morning.

    09:00View map

  2. NEXT STOP

    Byodo-in

    Visit Byodo-in and allow time for the museum inside the grounds.

    —View map

  3. NEXT STOP

    Uji River / Ujigami Shrine

    Cross the river and walk toward Ujigami Shrine.

    —View map

  4. NEXT STOP

    Omotesando tea

    Return through Byodo-in Omotesando for matcha, gyokuro, or seasonal sweets.

    —View map

03What to know

What to know before you go

Uji is one of the easiest ways to slow a Kyoto trip down. It combines a major World Heritage site, serious tea culture, and a riverside walk without requiring a car.

A half-day route

  • Arrive at JR Uji or Keihan Uji Station in the morning.
  • Visit Byodo-in and allow time for the museum inside the grounds.
  • Cross the river and walk toward Ujigami Shrine.
  • Return through Byodo-in Omotesando for matcha, gyokuro, or seasonal sweets.

Add Nintendo only with a ticket

The Nintendo Museum is in nearby Ogura. Admission is timed and sold in advance, so do not travel there hoping for a walk-in ticket. Pair it with Uji only after your museum time is confirmed.

Choose one proper tea stop instead of collecting several matcha desserts. Ask how the tea should be brewed and notice the difference between matcha, sencha, and gyokuro.