Uji: Japan's Famous Tea Town and the Byodoin Phoenix Hall

Published October 15, 2026 at 12:27 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

A Tea Town Just South of Kyoto

Some destinations feel like a world away yet sit close to a major city, and Uji is one of them. Just south of Kyoto, this riverside town is celebrated for two things above all: green tea of exceptional quality, and a graceful temple whose hall appears on a Japanese coin. Add a literary connection to The Tale of Genji and a calm river setting, and you have one of the most satisfying half-day trips from Kyoto.

This guide explains why Uji matters to Japanese tea culture, how its famous teas are made, what to see at Byodoin Temple, and how to build a relaxed day around tasting, strolling and sightseeing. Whether you love matcha or simply enjoy pretty places, there is plenty here to enjoy.

How Uji Became Tea Country

The story of Uji tea begins with the Zen priest Eisai, who is credited with introducing tea seeds from China around 1191. He shared seeds with his friend, the monk Myoe, who started a plantation in the Uji area. Over the following centuries, Uji tea rose in reputation. The shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu promoted tea cultivation here, and by the late 1500s Uji had become the leading source of high-quality tea. Local conditions help too: the area is known for its soil, misty climate and sloping hills.

A key innovation arrived in the 15th or 16th century, when Uji farmers developed a method of shading tea plants with roofs of straw or reeds before harvest. Shading produces sweeter, richer leaves, and it became the origin of tencha, the leaf that is ground into matcha, the powdered tea used in the tea ceremony. Because the process was so carefully controlled, these teas were at first enjoyed mainly by the upper classes.

Later developments followed. In 1738, a farmer named Soen Nagatani from nearby Ujitawara perfected sencha, an everyday green tea made by steaming and rolling the leaves in what is known as the Uji method. Gyokuro, a premium tea, was developed in the 19th century by combining shading with that same method. Uji tea today means these three main types: matcha, sencha and gyokuro. The Tsuen tea shop, which has been serving tea since 1160, is often described as one of the oldest tea shops in Japan.

Byodoin and the Phoenix Hall

Byodoin is Uji's best-known temple, and its centerpiece is the Phoenix Hall, officially called Amida-do. The site began in 998 as a villa belonging to Minamoto no Shigenobu. It later passed to the powerful statesman Fujiwara no Michinaga, and in 1052 his son Fujiwara no Yorimichi turned it into a Buddhist temple. The Phoenix Hall was completed in 1053 and sits beside a large pond. Its name comes from its resemblance to a phoenix with outstretched wings, and from the pair of phoenix figures that decorate the roof. It is a National Treasure, and it is the only original building that survives from the complex.

Inside, the hall holds a gilded wooden statue of Amida Buddha made by the sculptor Jocho, who developed a joined-wood carving technique. A set of 52 bodhisattva statues, some shown playing musical instruments, is also believed to be Jocho's work. The temple is a World Heritage Site, part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto inscribed in 1994, and the Phoenix Hall appears on the Japanese ten-yen coin, so you can see a picture of the hall in your pocket before you even arrive.

The Hoshokan Museum, opened in 2001 and built largely underground, displays treasures from the temple, including the original roof phoenixes and other national treasures. The temple's official site also describes a tea room on the grounds serving Uji tea, a pleasant spot to pause. Interior viewing of the Phoenix Hall is arranged by tour with limited capacity, so check the official site for the current arrangements.

The Tale of Genji and the River

Uji has a literary role as well. The Tale of Genji, a masterpiece of the Heian period written by Murasaki Shikibu about a thousand years ago, has 54 chapters, and the final ten, often called the Ten Chapters of Uji, are set in this area. A museum devoted to the tale stands in town. If you enjoy classic literature, wandering here adds a layer of imagination to the scenery.

The Uji River is the town's natural centerpiece. Uji Bridge, first built around the year 646 according to Japan's national tourism organization, appears in the story and is regarded as one of the most romantic spots in the Kyoto area. Riverside paths give pleasant walking, and a longer route follows the water upstream toward Amagase Dam. In summer evenings, cormorant fishing is held on the river, a traditional spectacle that draws many viewers.

Nearby, Ujigami Shrine dates from 1060 and is also part of the World Heritage listing. It is described as possibly the oldest surviving shrine building in Japan, and its quiet, wooded setting is a fine contrast to the busier streets near the station.

Tea Experiences and Sweet Treats

The street leading to Byodoin, known as Byodoin Omotesando, runs for about 300 meters and is lined with tea shops and cafes. Here you can sample green tea in several forms and try tea-flavored treats such as parfaits, ice cream and even soba noodles made with tea. Fresh matcha desserts are a highlight, and many shops sell packaged tea in attractive tins that make good gifts.

If you want a deeper experience, look for a tea workshop or a traditional tea ceremony. Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo offers workshops on tea processing and matcha grinding with tastings, according to Japan's national tourism organization. Taihoan, the city's tea house, has a wooden building overlooking the Uji River and serves matcha or sencha with Japanese sweets. Prices and hours can change, so confirm before you go.

The Uji Green Tea Festival, held in October, honors Eisai, Myoe and the tea master Sen no Rikyu, and it begins with a ritual drawing of water from Uji Bridge. It is a charming occasion if your trip happens to coincide.

Uji is easy to reach. From Kyoto Station, the JR Nara Line goes to JR Uji Station in about 17 minutes, and from Demachiyanagi, the Keihan Line takes about 40 minutes to reach Keihan Uji Station. Both stations are close to the river, the bridge and the road to Byodoin, so no complicated transfers are needed.

A relaxed schedule might start with a stroll along the river and across Uji Bridge, then continue to Byodoin when the grounds are calm. Afterward, enjoy tea and sweets on the Omotesando street, and add a visit to Ujigami Shrine or the Tale of Genji Museum if time allows. Wear comfortable walking shoes, and consider carrying a small bag to hold tea purchases.

Because Uji sits so near Kyoto, it fits easily into a day that also includes other sights in southern Kyoto, or it can stand on its own as a calm, tea-scented outing. Give yourself time to enjoy your tea slowly, as the charm of Uji lies in its gentle pace.

Quick Takeaways

Uji is a short train ride from Kyoto and is known as one of Japan's great tea towns, home to matcha, sencha and gyokuro. Byodoin Temple's Phoenix Hall, completed in 1053 and shown on the ten-yen coin, is a World Heritage treasure with a lovely reflecting pond. The riverside setting, The Tale of Genji connections and the tea-themed street near the temple round out an easy and rewarding day.

Arrive with a relaxed mindset, taste tea at every opportunity, and let the river and the temple set the pace.