Discover Uji: UNESCO Heritage & Tea Ceremony Walking Tour

Kyoto

What are the highlights of this tour?

Immerse yourself in history with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Byodoin Temple, celebrated for its architectural brilliance and centuries-old legacy.
Sip matcha at a tea ceremony at Chazuna, in the town that grows some of Japan's finest green tea.
Hear the stories behind every stop from a local English-speaking guide who knows Uji well.
Explore the sacred grounds of Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine, steeped in history and cultural significance.

About

Your tour starts at Uji Station, where you meet your guide and set off on foot toward the town Japan credits with its finest green tea. Matcha is having a moment on every feed right now, and this is where it comes from, so you'll be tasting it at the source before the tour is over.

First stop is Byodoin Temple. Built in 1052, its Phoenix Hall floats on a pond and looks just like the building on the 10-yen coin, only far more impressive in person. Your guide shares the story behind the hall and the gardens around it, so you get more than a photo op.

From there, you head to Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine, a slower, quieter side of the region. Ujigami's main hall is among the oldest surviving Shinto shrine buildings in Japan. Take your time, ask your guide anything, and enjoy the calm.

Then comes the part most people remember: a tea ceremony at Chazuna. You sit down, slow down and sip matcha the traditional way, while your guide explains what Uji's tea has meant to Japan for centuries. Then the rest of your day is yours.

Entrance fees and the tea ceremony are included, and your English-speaking local guide handles the rest. Every TripGuru tour is led by a local who knows the area well, so you get the real Uji, not a rushed checklist.