The Best Uji Itinerary: Planning An Uji Day Trip From Kyoto Or Osaka
Last Updated on May 6, 2026 by Audrey
Looking for the best Uji itinerary? Here’s how to plan your Uji day trip.
I went to Uji for the first time as a day trip and honestly fell in love with the town’s quiet beauty, historic temples, and the quaint shopping street where I got to buy some of the best matcha in the world.
I had already been to Nara, which is another really popular day trip from Kyoto, so I decided to visit Uji instead because it was close by and I'm super into matcha and ceramics. This adorable little town is famous for its matcha and tea ceremonies, but it also has just the right amount of historic sites and culture to really make it feel worth visiting.
Uji is such a good day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, and it also works well as a one night stay if you want something slower paced. The whole town has a really chill, scenic vibe that feels refreshing after busier cities.
This itinerary assumes you arrive in Uji early in the day, around 10 AM, and spend about half a day exploring before leaving around 4 PM. I’ll take you to Byodo in Temple, Uji’s most famous temple, Uji’s Omotesando shopping street, and an authentic tea ceremony.
You can definitely use this Uji day trip guide as part of my Japan 10 day itinerary or add it on to my 1 day or 2 day Kyoto itinerary. Ready to get started?
Short on time?
The tour I loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
This Kyoto, Nara, and Uji day tour takes you to so many iconic spots in one go, including Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Byodo In Temple, & Uji’s matcha food street! It’s a really great option if you want an easy way to visit Uji without dealing with the train logistics on your own.
Check out the 5-star reviews and book this tour here BEFORE IT SELLS OUT!
Free Uji Itinerary Map
Uji Itinerary: Planning your Uji Day Trip
Let’s get into why you should visit Uji and how to structure a day in Uji.
Why visit Uji?
Uji is world famous for its amazing matcha, and even hojicha, so if you love tea, this is such a fun place to visit. It’s also known for The Tale of Genji and Murasaki Shikibu, one of Japan’s most important literary masterpieces.
You can try everything matcha here, from matcha soba noodles to matcha soft serve ice cream, and even experience an authentic tea ceremony. On top of that, the town has a beautiful scenic bridge, lots of cherry blossoms from late March to April, and it’s a great place to spend time wandering the long shopping street filled with desserts, snacks, and handmade ceramics.
Byodo-in Temple is also here, which is one of Uji’s most famous sights and a renowned UNESCO world heritage site. There’s even a replica of the temple in Hawaii, but it can’t beat the original here in Uji.
Overall, it’s a beautiful blend of natural beauty, local boutiques, and MATCHA, while also a welcome escape from the crazy tourism that plagues Kyoto and Osaka.
How to Get to Uji
You can visit Uji from either Kyoto or Osaka. After visiting Uji from Osaka, I personally think departing from Kyoto is better because its closer. I visited Uji from Osaka once and it took 1.5-2 hours to get there, whereas Kyoto takes only 30 minutes or even less. Let’s break down how to get to Uji from either city.
How to Get to Uji from Kyoto
Getting to Uji from Kyoto is much easier than departing from Osaka. Kyoto is not only closer to Uji compared to Osaka, but getting to Uji from Osaka can often involve transferring at Kyoto Station anyway.
The best route to Uji really depends on whether you’re closer to Kyoto Station or Sanjo/Gion Shijo Station, and also whether or not you have the Japan Rail Pass.
If you do have the JR Pass, you can travel directly from Kyoto Station to JR Uji Station. If you don’t have the JR Pass, you can go to either Keihan Uji Station or JR Uji Station.
Keihan Uji Station is closer to Uji’s main landmarks, but it’s a little harder to get to since it requires a transfer and takes a bit longer.
One last thing to note, I think Google sometimes misses the rapid lines and isn’t always the best at showing the easiest route, so make sure to save this info so you know exactly which train line to look for.
Taking the train to Uji Station from Kyoto Station
First, you’ll want to get to Kyoto Station from your hotel.
From there, board the JR Nara Line and try to catch the rapid train so you can get to Uji Station in less than 20 minutes. The local train takes around 30 minutes and costs about 240 yen.
Taking the train to Keihan Uji Station from Sanjo or Gion Shijo Station
It’s better to go to Keihan Uji Station if you’re starting from Sanjo Station or Gion Shijo Station instead of Kyoto Station, because the Kenyan Line departs directly from these stations.
From Sanjo Station or Gion Shijo Station, you'll take the line to Chushojima Station, then transfer to the Keihan Uji Line. After around 37 minutes you’ll arrive at Keihan Uji Station. Quick and easy!
How to get to Uji from Osaka
Yes, Uji is a little more difficult to get to from Osaka, but it’s not terrible. Online, when I was doing my research, it said getting to Uji was about an hour, but for us it felt more like almost two hours, so just keep that in mind.
If you don’t have a Japan Rail Pass, then you should take the train from Yodoyabashi or Kyobashi Station in Osaka to Chushojima Station, which takes about 45 minutes. From Chushojima Station, take the Uji Line for another 15 minutes. The whole trip should take around an hour.
If you do have a Japan Rail Pass, take the rapid train on the JR Kyoto Line to Kyoto, then transfer to the JR Nara Line to Uji. Either route should take about an hour, but like I said before, definitelysave this train information because Google Maps doesn’t always give you the fastest route.
Uji Itinerary
We’re finally here in Uji! Start off your day in Uji with your arrival at the train station.
You’ll get to experience a full day in Uji by visiting the famous Byodo-In Temple, experiencing an authentic tea ceremony, and spending some time exploring the Byodo In Omotesando shopping street.
And course, there’s tons of matcha-infused specialties all along the way! Let’s get started.
Uji Bridge and river walk
As you walk from Uji Station to the Byodo-in temple, you’ll pass Uji Bridge and the beautiful Uji river. It was serene and calm as we walked through, with a view of traditional Japanese style houses sitting by the waterfront, dotted with blooming cherry blossom trees.
Statue of Murasaki Shikibu from the Tale of Genji
Once you get to the other side of the bridge you’ll notice the Murasaki Shikibu statue, the author of the famous masterpiece The Tale of Genji. The final 10 chapters are often called the Uji-Jujo because the story climax is all set in Uji City.
You’ll see her tentatively reading a scroll while overlooking Uji River, which was featured heavily in her novel. There’s also the Tale of Genji Museum nearby that literary lovers might enjoy, but we’re not visiting it on our trip today. Onward!
Byodo-in temple
Make your way down the street to Byodo-in Temple. We’ll return to the shopping street before we leave Uji, so don’t worry!
I first heard of Byodo in Temple when I visited the replica in Oahu, Hawaii. But did you know the original is actually here in Uji? It’s the sole example of the glorious Fujiwara Period from the 1050s and is an important site of Pure Land Buddhism.
What really stands out about this temple is how the beautiful red hall sits in the middle of a large pond and looks like a scene straight out of a painting, with phoenix symbolism woven into the colors of the walls and the shape of the halls, built to resemble a bird spreading its wings.
The replica in Hawaii simply can’t compare to the real thing, so I encourage you to visit while you’re in Uji!
Tickets for adults are 700 yen for the temple, with an additional 300 yen if you want to see the inside of Phoenix Hall. The temple grounds are pretty expansive, so I’d dedicate around 1 to 1.5 hours here.
It’s especially stunning during sakura season in late March to early April and wisteria season from mid April to early May. In addition to the temple itself, there’s also the Sabo Toka tea room and the Hoshokan Museum inside the grounds, which I’ll get into next.
Hoshokan Museum
The Hoshokan Museum inside Byodo in Temple has a number of national treasures, including the temple bell, phoenix, and the praying bodhisattva on clouds, all dating back more than 1,000 years.
The museum is included with your admission ticket to Byodoin Temple, so don’t forget to stop by if you can.
Pro tip: no photography is allowed inside, so you can just take your time and enjoy looking around without distractions.
Other Uji Temples to Visit
I would definitely prioritize Byodo in Temple for your trip itinerary, but if it doesn’t really interest you or you’ve already seen it, you could always check out some of Uji’s other temples instead, like Ujigami Shrine, Uji Shrine, Kosho ji, or Mimuroto ji.
Lunch - Matcha Soba Noodles from Tsubameya
For lunch, we went to Tsubameya, a local soba shop, to try matcha soba noodles, also known as Green Tea Soba, an Uji specialty!
We picked this restaurant because it could accommodate our large group of eight, but there are actually a ton of soba restaurants in this area.
I got the shrimp tempura and half and half noodle combo, and it was really affordable at around $15 USD. Overall, it was definitely unique and had a different taste to it.
I’m honestly not sure whether I liked regular soba noodles or the matcha soba noodles better. But if you’re already thinking about visiting Uji, I’m going to assume you’re probably a matcha lover, so I definitely think you should try it too. You can always get the half matcha noodle and half buckwheat noodle combo if you want to compare both!
Dessert - Matcha soft serve from Tsuen
Afterwards, I would suggest going to grab some Matcha ice cream soft serve from Tsuen, a famous tea shop or ice cream shop that’s been operating for over 900 years! It’s literally right next door from Tsumabeya.
There was a line when we visited but it moved pretty fast. We got matcha soft serve from here and it was uhhhhmazing.
Uji Tea Ceremony
There’s no better place to learn about making tea than Uji! We reserved for a tea ceremony at Taiho-an. It was affordable t around 2,400 yen ($15 USD) and is connected to the Uji Tourist Information Center, so you know you’re getting an authentic tea ceremony experience.
Our teacher was super sweet and spoke English, wearing a simple yukata and a calm smile. She showed us how to properly whisk the matcha and how to prepare the tea for another person. Then we got to enjoy our hot matcha tea with some traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi) together.
I was able to arrange the tea ceremony with a group of 8, so they accommodate large groups as long as you book in advance. I booked it around 1 month before our vacation. The entire experience was around an hour and was very fun!
Byodo-In Omotesando
Afterward, spend around 1 to 2 hours exploring Uji’s famous shopping street, which lies in between Uji Station and Byodo-in Temple.
This is the primary shopping area in the city, which is exactly why Uji works so well as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka. It has just enough sights and things to do for a half or whole day without feeling overwhelming, and all the attractions are walking distance.
My favorite stop on the shopping street was the handmade ceramics shop right near the entrance. Everything was handmade and so, so beautiful, with really fine attention to detail. Just keep in mind that it is a bit pricey, and if you want the best price, you should bring yen.
Another shop I really enjoyed was a sake shop on the other end of the street near the temple that offered free sake tastings. You could try as much sake as you wanted, and honestly it was pretty fun to sample because we got to walk around a little buzzed after.
And of course, you have to get tea while you’re here! There are so many amazing tea shops on the street selling incredible teas, and you can sample them. We stocked up on a ton of matcha and hojicha tea here. We also bought a tea from Uji that had won a contest, but it’s not really to my taste, so my best suggestion would be to stick with the matcha and hojicha unless you’re a tea connoisseur and want to branch out.
You should also leave room for snacks and dessert while you’re walking around, because this street is full of matcha treats and sweets to try!
Leaving Uji
By now, it should be the late afternoon or early evening, so you have more than enough time to get back to home to enjoy dinner or a night activity.
You can click here for a list of things to do in Kyoto at night for evening activities, or you can click here for my 10 day Japan Itinerary that includes my top things to do and favorite restaurants I discovered during multiple trips to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka!
Helpful Things to Know Before Visiting Uji
Here are some other things you might want to consider while planning your trip to Uji.
If visiting Uji in spring or early summer
One of the reasons I thought Uji was so beautiful is because we visited in early April, and there were so many cherry blossoms in bloom around the river and in and around the temple. Because of that, I definitely think Uji is a great place to visit during the spring or early summer if you’re staying in Kyoto/Osaka.
Visiting Uji vs Nara
Deciding whether to visit Uji or Nara is honestly really tough. I had already been to Nara, which is why I decided to go to Uji instead. I think it really depends on your preferences. If you really want to see the bowing deer, then you should go to Nara. But if you love matcha and shopping at little boutiques, then go to Uji.
I do think you could technically visit both in one day, but it would be a really, really long day since you’d probably have to be on the train by 6 AM, and most attractions in both towns close by 4 or 5 PM. If you're set on seeing both cities, then I suggest going with a guided tour for faster transportation.
If I had to pick one and I hadn’t been to either, I would probably choose Nara because the bowing deer are just so iconic. But Uji is definitely a must see if you’ve already been to Nara.
Uji Day Trip vs Overnight Stay
Honestly, there aren’t that many great places to stay in Uji, and I really don’t think you need to stay overnight since Kyoto is only about 30 minutes away. So don’t feel like you have to.
However, if you decide you don’t want to commute back to Kyoto, then the one hotel recommendation I’d give you is Hanayashiki Ukifune En ryokan, a beautiful ryokan might just beat the ryokan in Arashiyama and Kyoto!
Where to Stay in Uji
The one place I recommend to stay in Uji is Hanayashiki Ukifune En, a four star accommodation that feels like the perfect fusion of modern and traditional elements.
There are panoramic views of the Uji River complimented by modern conveniences like flat screen TVs and comfy beds, and the rooms are designed beautifully. Several of them also have private open air or indoor onsen.
I really love how they decorated the interiors with earthy warm tones, soft lighting, and a calming atmosphere. It reminds me of my favorite hotel in Kyoto, Saka Hotel, another modern ryokan. Amenities also include public onsen, breakfast, and you can add on their steakhouse dinner if you want. They even have a brand new rooftop bar that serves alcoholic drinks with an all you can drink option.
So if you’re more of a slower traveler and really want to enjoy Uji in its entirety, then this is a great place to consider staying at!
Uji Itinerary and Uji Day Trip FAQs
Let’s go over some common questions that you might have about visiting Uji!
How long should I spend in Uji?
I think a half day in Uji is perfect. If you arrive at 10 AM and visit Byodo-In Temple (1 hour), experience a tea ceremony (1 hour), have lunch (1 hour) and browse Uji Omotesando (1 hour), you should be finished before 4 PM.
You could probably still get back to Kyoto with some time to spare in case there are still attractions you want to see.
Which is better to visit, Uji or Nara?
I don’t think one is better than the other. Uji has Byodo in Temple, an awesome shopping street, and authentic tea ceremonies, while Nara has the bowing deer and some really beautiful temples.
So it honestly just depends on whether you want to see the deer or immerse yourself in matcha culture.
Can you visit Uji and Nara in the same day?
Honestly, I do think you could visit both in the same day as long as you’re strategic and a really early riser. But you have to keep in mind that most of the attractions and shops in both cities close around 4 to 5 PM, so there are definitely time constraints.
It would also be a really long day, so I think it’s probably better to split them up if you're commuting by train. If you book with a guided tour, it's easier to see the main sights as you won't have to worry about transportation.
I actually tried to visit both cities in one day last year, but my friends couldn’t wake up in time… I’m not pointing any fingers though 😉
Is it better to visit Uji from Kyoto or Osaka?
I definitely think it’s easier to visit Uji from Kyoto because Kyoto has a direct line to Uji. When I visited Uji from Osaka, we had to take three different trains and it ended up taking a little under two hours, compared to about 30 minutes from Kyoto.
Conclusion: Uji Itinerary & Planning your Uji Day Trip
There you go, a perfect Uji day trip from Kyoto or Osaka! Even though Uji is a smaller town, there’s definitely more than enough here to make your day feel full in the best way. Between Byodo-in Temple, real tea ceremonies, unlimited matcha, and browsing the cute local shops, I really think you’re going to fall in love with Uji just like I did.
If you want an easier way to visit without dealing with the train logistics on your own, I definitely recommend booking this Kyoto, Nara, & Uji day tour. It takes you to so many iconic spots in one day, including Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Byodo in Temple, and Uji’s matcha food street.
If you need more help planning your Japan trip, I recommend checking out my 10 day Japan itinerary and my 2 day Kyoto itinerary too. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or need help with your trip. Happy travelssss!
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