Love matcha?

I have the perfect day trip for you from Osaka city, Kyoto city or even Nara city! And yes, it's totally doable!! Join us and take yourself into the unbeaten path.

Visit the birthplace city of the famous classic, "Tale of Genji".

Destination: Uji City, Kyoto

The great thing about being in Osaka city is being in proximity to four other surrounding prefectures that are rich in history and popular (but often overlooked) tourist spots.

Uji City is actually part of Kyoto Prefecture, but with the well-connected transportation network in this part of Kansai, it only takes about 1 hour and a bit more to come here.

And there are several ways to get here...

One is a JR station (if you have a JR Pass, this would be a 'free' journey).

From Osaka - You can take the JR from Shinimamiya Station to Nara Station, then switch trains from Nara to continue north to Uji.

However my favorite way is to use the Keihan Railway trains. If you aren't locked in by a JR pass, you can take this train from several different station of Osaka city centre.

From Osaka - ride towards Kyoto and transfer at Tambabashi Station (not to be confused with Tenmabashi Station). From there, it will take you directly to Uji.

I recommend checking the Keihan website for "Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass" as it includes Uji in the pass. It will take you from any Osaka metro station all the way to Uji.

(but please do your own research on transportation cost as if you are not planning to use the Osaka metro, this pass may not be worth it)

KYOTO-OSAKA SIGHTSEEING PASS 1day (Osaka Metro) | Keihan Electric Railway

I don't have any particular tips of weather. 

Uji City, Kyoto, Japan

⚠️Seasonal warning - in the spring time, you can view cherry blossoms here (though rather sparse), and during this season there are a lot of locusts!! And I mean... A LOT. I wish I had videos capturing just how much a lot means, but it is enough to make you scared that they can hit you in the face and accidentally fall into your bag.

Of course, as much of this trip will be walking outdoors, choosing a non-rainy day will be most ideal. As the main strip of the town is also along a river, water levels may rise during typhoons and other warnings - so please be careful!

If you are not good with insects, avoid the Keihan side of the city and the Uji Park area!

Click on each box for notes and tips on each location!

Make sure to prepare a nice and clean 10 yen coin before you enter. The Phoenix Hall is the same iconic image as the one you see on the coin and you'll see many people trying to get a photo of the above photo with their coin!

This is a tourism information center, so a rest area and toilets are available for use. Pre-COVID, there was also some free refreshments (water and tea) available. But unsure about now.

Before reaching the shrine from Byodo-in, you will cross over the river to the Kyoto Prefectural Uji Park. There are some birds (Cormorant Fishing) there and overall a nice little photo spot and rest area if the weather isn't too hot and nice!

Here, I'll list a few options you can have to enjoy some local delights!

mog mog bakery sells really yummy baked breads that have matcha in or on it. I recommend their matcha melon pan, but everything there is a great snack. If you want to maybe have a picnic at Uji Park, you can pick up some food here.

Osakaya Market is a little nook with various cafes, restaurants and snack stalls - there's something for everyone here. 

Almost always crowded, but this shop is a popular tea maker that has this restaurant serving matcha and tea desserts and Japanese sweets. If it's not crowded, I do recommend this tea shop! You also get a nice river view from this shop!

They have their "main shop" closer to the JR station and a souvenir shop. Their main shop also has a sit-in option - but can also get very crowded!

This place only sells tea dango - and they sell a lot of it. Extremely delicious and great for a souvenir (though they will not last long, so it's more of a souvenir for yourself and your group).  

If you like to try tea dango on the go, I recommend this next place instead:

This place sell a 3-flavour dango (hojicha, matcha, sencha) on one stick. Great snack on the go! Highly recommend.

Another famous brand of tea in Japan with a souvenir shop that sells a lot of things in matcha or tea flavour. Matcha curry, matcha umechu (yep, alcohol!) and my personal favourite - the matcha cheesecake. You can also buy tea here, but I recommend this next place more...

Scroll down to see what I have to you and your next trip to Japan!

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Nara, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Destination: Uji City, Kyoto

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