日本NipponPlan

Uji

Day trip from Kyoto
Stays
  1. Byodoin Phoenix Hall Uji 2009
  2. Byodoin Uji Kyoto05s3s4592
  3. Byodoin Uji Kyoto25n4592
  4. Uji river, Kyoto
  5. Tōgawa Uji, Uji-shi, Kyōto-fu 611-0021, Japan - panoramio (1)

A tea town by a river with a famous temple and matcha shops.

Worth a day?

Maybe. Uji is a small town with Byodoin Temple, the old Ujigami Shrine, tea shops and tea farms, and most sights are a short walk apart. It is a poor choice for people who want a full day of sights, because a half day covers the main stops.

Pick your pace

Uji works as a slow day or a full one. Choose the pace that fits yours and the stops that suit it come first. Nothing is removed.

楽EasyShort stops and plenty of time to sit.歩ActiveWalks, outdoor places and more ground.寺CultureTemples, museums and history, with the reason for each.食FoodStreet food, sweets and a proper meal between sights.

Not sure? Start with Easy.

A day in 3 stops

In the order that suits your pace.

  1. 1.5 hMorningByodo-in Phoenix Hall 鳳A thousand-year-old hall on a pond. You can see it on the ten-yen coin.
  2. 2 hAfternoonMatcha street and tea shops 抹Old tea shops serve matcha noodles, ice cream and sweets. Buy tea to take home.
  3. 1.5 hMorningUji River walk 川A calm walk along a river with a red bridge and a small island.

How to get there

From Kyoto

FastestWest Japan Railway (JR West), JR Nara Line rapid → JR Uji

Time
20 min
Changes
None
Seat
Included
  1. Board a JR Nara Line rapid train at Kyoto Station.
  2. Get off at JR Uji Station, south of the Uji River.
  3. Walk about 10 minutes from JR Uji Station to Byodoin Temple.
A cheaper way

JR Pass holders can ride the JR Nara Line to Uji at no extra cost; the Keihan route is not covered by the JR Pass.

Coming back. Check the JR Nara Line timetable for return trains and the last train, because the sources do not give last-train times.

Typical times. Check the timetable before you go.

Stay a night

Sleep in Kyoto and come by train, because Uji is about 15 to 20 minutes from Kyoto Station and the day needs no hotel change.

Stay in UjiUji is a small town near Kyoto, known for its tea and the Byodo-in temple. Lodging is mostly small hotels, guesthouses and riverside inns, and a night here gives more time for the tea houses and temple than a day trip allows.Find stays in Uji

Stays link to partner sites. A commission never changes our advice.

Read more

Posts that help you plan this day.

Guides5 min readUji and matcha, a day from KyotoA relaxed day from Kyoto to Uji: the Phoenix Hall, the river, the tea shops and how to choose a matcha stop.Guides5 min readArashiyama in a half day, away from the crowdsArashiyama is busy at midday. Go early for the bamboo grove, walk the river and choose one temple garden. Here is a half day that avoids the worst crowds.Guides5 min readGion after dark: how to walk it respectfullyGion at night is beautiful, and people live and work there. Here is how to walk its lanes, take photos and eat with respect for the neighbourhood.