What to Do in Uji

One of the more unique experiences you can try here, is grinding your own tea at one of the most legendary tea shops in Uji. Mitsuboshien Kanbayashi-Sannyu Honten dates back several hundred years, and has delivered tea to both the Japanese Emperor as well as the Shogunate of the day. On the second floor is a small museum dedicated to the history of this shop, and the third floor of the building is where the tea grinding workshops take place.

Grind your own tea at Mitsuboshien Kanbayashi-Sannyu Honten

Genji Monogatari is one of the most famous works of classic japanese literature, written in the first half of the 11th century. A big part of the story takes place in Uji, and this has led the city to construct a museum to cherish this heritage. The museum is as much a history lesson as an introduction to this important work of literature, and is well worth a visit. Audio guides are also available in English, Chinese and Korean.

Genji Monogatari Museum

Tea is obviously an integral part of Ujis identity. If you feel somewhat at loss when it comes to the myriad variants of this hot beverage, there are many ways to educate yourself. Along the river there are several shops that offers tea sampling sets, where you can try the many different kinds of green tea that are produced in this region. After a bit of training, we promise that you too will be able to distinguish between bancha, matcha and gyokuro.

Expand your knowledge of green tea

Nagatani Souen is the man who invented the current way of rolling and roasting tea leaves. His importance to the tea culture of Japan is significant, and thus, his birthplace has been highlighted by the Japan Heritage program and turned into something of a museum dedicated to his life and history. Next to his house, there's a small shrine built to honor his memory. Even to this day, Japanese tea merchants visit his grave to show their gratitude, located on the highest peak of a nearby hill.

Birthplace of Nagatani Souen

Byodo-in Omotesando is the charming shopping street that leads up to the top sightseeing spot in Uji. Along the street you will find several shops specializing in different tea flavored products, as well as several shops selling souvenirs and of course tea from Uji that you can bring back home. We recommend that you make a stop at one of these and try a cup of freshly ground matcha, so that you can judge for yourself if the flavor is worthy of all the praise it gets from tea experts all over Japan.

Take a stroll along Byodo-in Omotesando

三星園 上林三入本店

京都府宇治市宇治蓮華27-2

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Uji City The Tale of Genji Museum

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Kyoto Ujishi Uji Higashiuchi 45-26

0774399300

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Tabibitoyado Kirinya Hostel in Uji

Kyoeibiru 3F 4-4 Uji-myouraku UJi-city Kyoto

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Nagatani Soen Yukue

Kyoto Tsuzuki-gun Ujitawaracho Yuyadani Sora Hiro

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平等院表参道

京都府宇治市宇治蓮華

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