Located in Kyoto Prefecture, Uji is a picturesque town widely known as the ‘Town of Matcha.’ Matcha is a green tea powder that is much loved by locals and visitors alike in Japan. No doubt, the green tea leaves can be found everywhere in Japan, but Uji has gained popularity for being the biggest grower of Matcha. Due to its health benefit, Matcha has crossed the borders of Japan into other western countries around the world, and you’ll likely find it in popular coffee shops and cafes across the world.
With the short intro, you’ve already pictured Uji as a town filled with tea plantations. But that’s entirely wrong. This beautiful town is home to an array of spectacular attractions for you to explore. Read on to find out the top things to do in Uji.
The Tale of Genji Sites
Are you familiar with the famous work of literature, The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu, an iconic Japanese writer? If you haven’t, you should get one. The tales describe the main character’s love affairs during Japan’s Heian era (794 – 1185. The last 10 chapters of the story highlight many scenes in Uji. The popular scenes include the Uju Bridge and some of the city’s religious sites. More so, you’ll also find statues about the story in Uji. One worthy of mention is the statue of Shikibu Murasaki, the author of the book, located close to the popular Uji Bridge. Other statues, with proximity to Uji-Jinja Shrine, depict the main characters in the last chapters of the classic literature, including Ukifune and Niou no Miya riding a boat.
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Byodo-in Omotesando
Byodo-in Omotesando is your gateway to the popular Byodo-in Temple. This is the perfect spot to do some green tea shopping. Here, you will find ancient stores and shops that are over a century old, yet still in operation. As you take a stroll along this street, you will feel the aroma of tea in the air. Because of this, the government has tagged the street as “a scent to be known, and a scenery to be maintained.”
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Byodo-in Temple
Established in 1052, Byodo-in Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which exudes a special charm. Constructed during the Heian era, the religious site serves both the Jodo-Shu and Tendai sects of Buddhism. The temple’s major highlight is the white Phoneix Hall, known for being the motif of the Japanese 10-yen coin. Other highlights include the Hoshokan Museum, which features an extensive collection of artifacts and sculptures which date several centuries aback; and a tea house where you can enjoy a specially prepared green tea.
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Ujigami Shrine
Yet, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ujigami Shrine is within a short walking distance from Byodo-in Temple. So if you’d like to explore another magnificent, well detailed religious site while visiting Uji, this is your best bet. The surrounding area is considered to be peaceful, tranquil, and charming.
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The Tale of Genji Museum
The museum is dedicated to the classic literature, the Tale of Genji. Here, you will find a display of replicated scenes, rooms, dioramas, costumes, and even scents just the way it was described in the book. To get a better understanding of the story, The Tale of Genji Museum features a theatre and a movie room for visitors. Whatever you’d like to know about the book can be found here.
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Learn How to Cook Japanese Meal
If you’d like to immerse yourself in local Japanese culture and learn to cook a homestyle Japanese meal, you should consider signing up for cooking classes. This class will teach you simple techniques on how to prepare tasty authentic Japanese meals in a fun way. Show off your new cooking skill by preparing delicious Japanese meal for your friends and loved ones back at home
If you’d like to fuel up to keep up with the day’s activities, the on-site café where you can enjoy sumptuous meal has got you covered.