Uji Tea Tour
Located in south Kyoto, Uji is an ancient town seeped in history.
A literary gem celebrated in classic poems and a beloved retreat for Heian era (794 to 1185) aristocrats, grand structures such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Byodo-in was erected during this time; It remains just as magnificent in present day.
Uji is equally renowned for being the location for the ending chapters in The Tale of Genji, a classical poetic work depicting aristocratic life in the Heian era. Written by a Murasaki Shikibu, a talented Japanese female creative, The Tale of Genji is of similar cultural stature to the works of William Shakespeare and is considered to be the world’s first novel.
In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along Uji River, a 25 kilometer river that traditionally served as a transportation route, connecting Kyoto to surrounding prefectures, but is now enjoyed via sightseeing boats when its tree-lined banks bloom with sakura. Tea connoisseurs will look forward to early summers in Uji, when tea estates turn vibrant green, while the autumn foliage found at temples create a tranquil scene for nature lovers come fall.
Take a stroll with us thru the birthplace of matcha and sencha and allow our guides to share more of Uji's vibrant history--as well as the best places to try and buy Japanese tea.
Tour Duration: Half Day Tour: 3.5 Hours ・ Full Day Tour: 7 Hours
What You'll Do
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What's Not Included
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Guest Requirements
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Activity Level
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How To Order
1: Adjust the quantity to match the number of tour attendees. For example, if four people are attending, then the quantity should be set to 4.
2: Select desired date.
3: Add tour to cart.
4: Add any additional add-ons.
5: Check out. Our concierge will contact you shortly with the details.
Cancellation Policy
16 Days or More Prior To Tour or Experience Start Date: No Cancellation Fee Levied; 100% of Order Amount Returned
15 days to 11 days Prior To Tour or Experience Start Date: 40% of Order Amount Reserved As Cancellation Fee; 60% of Order Amount Returned
10 days to 6 days Prior To Tour or Experience Start Date: 80% of Order Amount Reserved As Cancellation Fee; 20% of Order Amount Returned
5 Days or Less Prior To Tour or Experience Start Date: 100% of Order Amount Reserved As Cancellation Fee; 0% of Order Amount Returned
For more details, reference our Cancellation & Returns Policy.
Pairs well with
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Uji Tea Tour
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
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Heian History
Glimpses of aristocratic times remain within the grounds of Byodo-in Temple, a 1000 year villa, later converted into a temple. Built in Chinese fashion, a garden and pond enclose the oldest building on the premises, Phoenix Hall, pictured.
Graceful Gardians
Built as a shrine to guard over the neighboring Byodoin Temple in 1060, Ujigami Shrine is believed to be the oldest shinto shrine and has is famed for its triangular roof architecture (gable).
Bike to Beauty
Take it slow and leisurely through the riversides and back streets of Kyoto. Explore gem after gem while experiencing the town as the locals do.
Bike to Beauty
Take it slow and leisurely through the riversides and back streets of Kyoto. Explore gem after gem while experiencing the town as the locals do.
Sample Itinerary
9AM
Meet Your Guide
Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting spot as provided in the tour confirmation e-mail. Alternatively, if you have selected the Personal Chauffeur option, you will be picked up at your accommodation.
9:15AM
1st Stop: Secluded Zen Temple
We will begin the tour at the first Zen temple in Japan--a peaceful space not well known to tourists.
You will learn its history, as well as learn which sacred tea whisk ritual is held her and where.
10AM
2nd Stop: UNESCO World Heritage Site
This UNESCO World Heritage Site....
10:40 AM
3rd Stop: Sencha Tea Ceremony Demonstration
You will receive a sencha (loose leaf Japanese tea) tea ceremony demonstration in a traditional Japanese tea house.
All procedures will be explained in detail and you will be given the option to receive sencha, or the highest grade of Japanese tea, gyokuro paired with Japanese sweets.
11:30 AM
Next Stops: 2-3 Iconic Tea Shops
We will introduce 2-3 iconic Japanese tea shops and inform you on how they shaped the entire Japanese tea industry.
Pairs Well With
River Boat Ride
Many a tea estate in Japan are located along rivers, as the mist from the water that rises early mornings bless the tea plants by prohibiting frost from forming and damaging the delicate tea leaves.
Ride along these tranquil rivers in a traditional roofed boat, or yanefune (屋根船), expertly steered with a single bamboo pole, by the helmsman, or sendo (船頭) in Japanese.
A boat ride on the Uji River offers a serene opportunity to slowly soak in spectacular views of Uji from the waterfront. Alternatively, a boat ride on the Arashiyama river sails amongst some of Kyoto's most beautiful mountain peaks.
The spring sakura and autumn foliage are spectacular when seen from the water, but other seasons deserve exploration as well . From May to June, the mountainsides and riverbanks are covered in lush, vibrant green from new leaves. Splashes of purple from late blooming wisteria may also be in view.
From June until August, sailing on top of the water offers cool, gently breezes—a pleasant respite from the summer heat, while in winter, the air becomes crisp and bare tree branches reveal the underlying formation of the mountains.
Experience Duration: 1-2 Hours, depending on location