Uji - The hidden gem of Kyoto

Uji is a city located in the prefecture of Kyoto, and is a stone's throw away from the city of Kyoto. This makes it the perfect day trip from there. That may sound really confusing to those unfamiliar with Japan and its prefectures, so in simpler terms, a prefecture is a subdivision of land in a country. Kyoto is one of forty-seven prefectures in Japan, and the capital of Kyoto prefecture is Kyoto City. Now that you've read the word Kyoto enough times to the point where you may find it funny to say, let me introduce you to the beautiful city of Uji.

When I visited Kyoto in the summer of 2019, I was so enthralled with the beauty of the city. The calm, nonchalant nature of the place was so permeating that it lingered in the air wherever you went. I just have so much good things to say about Kyoto, that I'm more than certain I will write a separate, dedicated post. Infatuation completely engulfed me from the moment I got out of the station, so the idea of leaving the city to explore other towns and cities in the Kyoto prefecture, was a thought that didn't even register in my head. I was temporarily working at a guesthouse in exchange for accommodation, and one of the friends I made there asked if I wanted to visit Uji with her. Uji? I thought. At that point all I knew about Uji was that it was most famous for its production of green tea, and that's about it. Nevertheless, there was no reason for me not to go, and so we were on our way.

Getting to Uji

In order to get to Uji, taking a train is your best option. One slightly confusing thing about getting here, is that there are two train stations in Uji which are in close proximity to each other, and also have the same station name. One of the stations runs on the Nara Line, while the other runs on the Keihan Uji Line.

I recommend arriving from the Keihan Uji Line if possible, as it is located closer to the majority of the points of interests, making it more convenient and is also adjacent to the spectacular Uji River. As this line is a side branch of the larger Keihan Main Line, you will have to get onto this line first and switch to the Keihan Uji Line at Chushojima Station. Once you do that, just ride the train to Uji Station which will be at the end of the line. Depending on which station you hop on from and the type of train you take (limited express, local, etc), it will roughly take you around thirty minutes and at the time of writing, cost ¥310 one way.

As the Nara Line operates on the JR network, if you have a Japan Rail Pass you should definitely take this line in order to take advantage of your unlimited JR network travel. Unlike the previous line, the Nara Line goes directly through Uji Station, so if you take this route it's all smooth sailing (or railing) as you wont need to switch trains. The line also starts at Kyoto Station, so it is easily accessible. Once again, depending on the type of train you take and the station you get on from, the journey can take from twenty to thirty minutes. If you are travelling without the Japan Rail Pass, this will cost you ¥240 one way. Just a reminder, as the station at the end of this route is ever so slightly further out, you will need to walk around ten minutes to get to the main area by the river.

What to do in Uji

After walking out into the blistering heat of a Japanese summer day and heading towards the the focal bridge ahead, immediately the river caught my attention. I was impressed with the width of the river, making the current of the water seem very calm, when in actuality the current flowed quite strong once I took a closer look. The river paired with the dainty, traditional looking homes that lined the riverbank, completed the awing view. When you compare how Tokyo and Kyoto looks, structurally in terms of how the city looks, they are vastly different. The towering skyscrapers, bustling streets and large neon signs are all iconic traits of Tokyo. On the other hand, Kyoto prides itself in harnessing its traditional roots. There are even restrictions in place which limits the heights of buildings, and the placements of some advertisements. But even with that, when comparing Uji to Kyoto City, Uji just screams of a tranquil, undisturbed community.

- Byodoin Temple

When we first arrived here I was mesmerised with the architecture of the temple. I had visited many shrines and temples already, but this ranked towards the top with how elegant and grand it looked. Unfortunately, there was some reconstruction going on during the time we were there, so some parts of the building were covered, and other areas were closed off. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, and is even featured on the reverse side of the ¥10 coin. Entry costs ¥600 per person.

The interior of the central building known as the 'Phoenix Hall' can also be visited in groups of up to twenty people, every twenty minutes. An accompanying guide will be present giving information about the structure, however it will all be spoken in Japanese. To enter it will cost an additional ¥300 per person.

Aside from the main temple, there is a museum which exhibits a large variety of the temple's valuable treasures and other ancient relics. The museum itself is designed very well with a sleek, modern look. This in turn meant that the air conditioning was strong, and the place was ventilated nicely. Perfect when trying to avoid the scorching heat and humidity of summer. Access to the museum is included with the admission to the temple.

- The path towards Byodoin Temple

As you make your way towards Byodoin Temple, you will be walking down a street with gorgeous, quaint stores. These include handicraft stores, cafes, confectionery stores and of course, tea stores! If you have the time, I highly recommend checking out as many of these stores as possible. They are all uniquely different and offer tons of great souvenirs. Many of the cafes even offer an assortment of matcha-infused dishes such as soba noodles, gyoza and even curry!

- Buy some tea!

While the mention of souvenirs is still fresh, if you are planning on purchasing anything, you have to go with some tea. If you leave Uji, most famous for its high quality tea and don't buy any of it while you're there, it should be considered a crime. Tea stores are in abundance on this one street, let alone the rest of Uji, and range from easily affordable to more expensive prices. If you are a tea enthusiast to the point where it circulates in your veins, this should be on the top of your list of things to do in Uji.

- Nakamura Tokichi Honten

The Maruto Parfait

Segueing once again, if you are looking to try some great, authentic Uji tea, I recommend Nakamura Tokichi Honten. This is a very popular cafe in Uji, so unless you are arriving early, expect some waiting time. You will first need to sign your name onto a register by the entrance of the cafe, and wait for your name to be called. The tea company was founded in 1854, and in 2001 renovated its factory into a cafe. This specific location in Uji is the original cafe and serves as the main store. The interior is designed beautifully, and extra seating is available on a small patio outside overlooking a small garden. Exclusive to just this main cafe, a 'Maruto Parfait' is available to buy. It is a multilayered desert with ingredients like matcha ice cream, crispy rice, matcha jelly, berries and way too many more things to list. If anything, be sure to at least try the matcha green tea, and if you are visiting in the summer I definitely recommend getting it cold as it is the most refreshing drink ever.

- Statue of Murasaki Shikibu

This is nothing too special, but I thought I may as well include it as it is right next to the bridge. Murasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist and author of the novel 'The Tale of Genji'. Many believe this to be the world's first novel. The last few chapters of the story take place in Uji, which is why an elegant and beautifully crafted statue of her was erected here.

- Tale of Genji Museum

For those of you who would want to learn about more about 'The Tale of Genji', there is a museum not too far from the statue. It showcases the different scenarios that take place in the book using life-sized mannequins, and offers a deeper understanding behind the story and the era that the book takes place in. I haven't personally been to this museum so I can't provide much more information, or give it an accurate recommendation, but I thought it would be nice to include for anyone interested.

- Tachibanajima Island

This is a short, narrow island located in the middle of the river. It provides for a nice, unique view of Uji, and picturesque photo opportunities are plentiful. There is a bridge that can be accessed from here which stretches across to the other side. When you're crossing the bridge, don't forget to clear your mind, breathe in the fresh air and listen to the water crashing underneath. Once you have followed those steps, be sure to look around and take in as much of the view as humanly possible. Grounding yourself and fully giving yourself up in that moment is such a great feeling I wish everyone could experience. Once you reach the other side, you are greeted with a quiet, charming street. From here you can get right up close to the river and a few benches line the riverbank, making for an ideal spot to rest or have a little picnic. Please be sure to be careful when getting up close to the river, the current is quite strong and any sort of accident would be terrible.

- Watch the sunset

Quite possibly the highlight of my visit to Uji, was seeing the sunset across the river. Yes, this is not something unique that can only be experienced in Uji, but I have seen my fair share of sunsets as I assume most of you reading have as well. But being able to see the delicate clouds float across the sky, as the blue canvas behind slowly began to change into a orange colour palette with each brushstroke, made for such an unforgettable memory. Experiencing this while standing on the middle of the bridge and seeing the river in the same frame was truly magical. Whenever I think of Uji now, all I think of is the beautiful sunset, and I can't wait to go back and watch it all over again.

Closing thoughts

If you're staying in Kyoto and have an extra day to spare, I cannot recommend Uji enough. Uji encompasses the peaceful and laid-back nature of Kyoto, without the modern shopping districts and crowds of tourists. The home of top quality green tea, it will be impressive if you end up leaving without even tasting a sip of it. All of this, coupled with the fact that it is just a measly thirty minutes away by train from Kyoto, I can't think of any excuse for you not to visit Uji.