Uji Matcha Tour: Byodo-in Temple, Tea Tasting & Local Lunch

Matcha from field to cup in Uji's oldest tea town

A guided tour of Uji, Japan's matcha heartland, where you walk tea fields, visit Byodo-in Temple (a World Heritage site), make matcha by hand, and taste it alongside wagashi sweets and matcha ice cream. The tour includes lunch at a local restaurant with a tea experience and runs about three hours with an English-speaking guide. You'll browse local shops and cross the scenic Amagasetsuri Bridge over the Uji River.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Uji and Matcha Culture

• Discover Uji's tea culture
• Visit Byodoin Temple World Heritage site
• Tour Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine
• Walk across Amagasetsuri Bridge
• Sample matcha treats and local sweets
• Enjoy lunch with seasonal dishes and tea
• Experience matcha making and wagashi sweets
• Relax at Masuda Chaho tea shop
• Purchase tea souvenirs

The experience

The tour starts in Uji, a town built around matcha production since the Heian period, and moves through its core sites with a guide who speaks English. You'll see what goes into growing and processing the tea (walking through the landscape where it's cultivated), then move to Byodo-in Temple, the World Heritage site that anchors Uji's identity. Along the way, stops at Uji Shrine and the wooden Amagasetsuri Bridge let you pause between tastings and take in the Uji River.

The hands-on part comes midway through: you make matcha yourself, whisking it to the right consistency, then taste what you've made. Lunch happens at a restaurant that sources local and seasonal dishes, paired with a tea experience so the flavors connect. Wagashi sweets and matcha ice cream round out the eating part of the day. You'll have time to shop for tea and souvenirs in the local stores, and the tour ends at Masuda Chaho, a well-known tea shop where you can sit with a final cup of premium matcha or hojicha before heading out.

Public transportation stops are nearby if you're staying elsewhere in Kyoto and don't have a car. The pace assumes moderate fitness (you're walking through town and across the bridge, not hiking), and the whole experience runs just over three hours.

What’s included

• An English-speaking guide.
• entry to Byodo-in Temple.
• matcha-making experience where you whisk and taste your own tea.
• wagashi sweets and matcha ice cream.
• lunch at a local restaurant with a tea pairing.
• shopping time in local stores.
• and a final visit to Masuda Chaho tea shop.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Arigato Japan KK

Is this one for you?The tour departs from central Uji with public transit access, so you don't need a car or hotel pickup to join. Book from anywhere in Kyoto and take the train or bus to the meeting point. This setup works for solo travelers, families, and anyone staying outside the city center.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Byodo-in Temple and why is it part of this tour?

Byodo-in Temple is a World Heritage site and one of Uji's most iconic landmarks, built during the Heian period. It's central to the tour because it represents the town's deep historical and cultural significance, and visiting it connects you to the same serene landscape that has drawn people to Uji for centuries.

Do I make matcha myself, or just watch someone else make it?

You make matcha yourself during the tour. You'll whisk it by hand and taste what you've prepared, so you experience the technique and the flavor firsthand rather than as a demonstration.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will I eat?

Lunch is included at a local restaurant that serves seasonal and local dishes paired with a tea experience. The menu changes with the season, so you'll eat what's fresh and in the area at the time you visit.

What happens if I have dietary restrictions like vegetarian or gluten-free needs?

The tour is vegetarian-friendly, so vegetarian meals can be arranged. Gluten-free and vegan diets are not recommended for this tour because the matcha-making, wagashi sweets, and restaurant lunch are central to the experience and difficult to adapt for those restrictions.

How do I get to Uji if I'm staying in Kyoto and don't have a car?

Public transportation options are available near the tour start point, so you can reach Uji by train or bus from central Kyoto. The tour does not include hotel pickup, but the transit connections are straightforward from most Kyoto accommodations.