Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 10 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover the enchanting town of Uji on this immersive 4-hour walking tour led by a National Government Licensed English Guide. Visit the ancient Uji Bridge, built in the 7th century, and enjoy beautiful views from its special viewing spot. Experience a real Japanese tea ceremony where you'll learn to prepare traditional matcha or sencha tea. Explore the stunning Byodo-in Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose Phoenix Hall appears on Japan's 10-yen coin. This tour combines Japan's tea culture with historic temples for an authentic cultural experience.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The tour may not be able to enter the Phoenix Hall at Byodo-in Temple in case of congestion. In this case, JPY 300 will be refunded at the location
Public transportation will be used on this tour. All trains have non-reserved seats. Please note that seating is not guaranteed
This is not a bus tour. Sightseeing will be conducted on foot. Please participate in shoes which are easy to walk in
The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations
The tour may be unable to drop by Nakanoshima Park in case of high water level in the Uji River, etc
The tea ceremony experience may vary betwa een tea-ceremony procedures with matcha green tea and tea-ceremony procedures with sencha green tedepending on the day. Selections may not be made. Also, this may be conducted with other customers
The tea experience will be held in a tatami room, so please wear socks
Recording videos is not allowed in the tea room
Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with tea ceremony. If tea ceremony is required, please make a booking under the child rate
Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour
What To Expect
Ujibashi Bridge
Uji Bridge is thought to have been originally built sometime in the 7th century and is counted among the oldest bridges in Japan. A small protrusion off one side of the bridge known as san-no-ma offers great views
Prefectural Uji Park
The two islands floating in the Uji River - Tō-no-shima and Tachibana-shima - are collectively known as "Naka-no-shima" (Middle Island). Enjoy the panoramic view amid the mountains
Options
Half Day Tour
Meet by 8:20AM: Please meet at Sunrise Tours Desk inside Avanti B1, across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit
What‘s Included
National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
Other admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
Fees other than those listed in Includes
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Short but pleasene Tea experience.
Daydream01627484252,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00It was a very nice experience, seeing a part of a tea ceremony. Especially pleasent was the helpful guide, who offered tips on tea leaves and tea bags as well as matcha. Add a pleasent visit to the temple and the morning is well spent.
Landmark on the JPY Yen paper money
Footprints767952,Aug 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Historic architecture is well worth seeing especially in Uji apart from a good green afternoon tea . Highly recommended this landmark for Kyoto tour.
Would not recommend
ireallylovemydog,May 31, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00While the tour guide was lovely, this tour was unfortunately very badly time managed. We arrived at the Byodo-in Temple and were told we only have 15 mins to walk the ground and the museum. We were literally rushed through the museum without any opportunity to stop and look at anything in order to make it for the tour of the Phoenix Hall (which is the paid ticket part). After this, we were supposed to have time to shop in the street before being given a ticket back to Kyoto. When we finished with the Phoenix Hall tour, our guide said that the other participants had to catch a train to Nara and so we (who were not going on to Nara) either had to immediately leave with her or forfeit the train ticket (that was included in the price of the tour). We had no choice but to choose the latter so that we would be able to see more of the Uji street market. Our experience with the tea ceremony was also quite lacking despite our guide saying that she had studied it for 10 years. We were given some information on how to use the bowl and what to do but not much on the background, history and details of the tea ceremony. We felt short changed and would not recommend this tour.
Train ride and quick overview of Uji
bassyland,May 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Uji is a very nice place to visit. The tour was good, covered a walk along the Uji river, tea ceremony and Byodoin temple. The best part is that the group is small, so easier to get around. The transportation included is a JR train ride. The pace is fast, almost impossible to keep up if you stop to take photos.
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