Uji matcha town walking tour: Tea ceremony and tasting

Walk through Japan's tea heartland and learn to prepare matcha the traditional way

This guided walking tour explores Uji, Kyoto's historic tea town, with a live English-speaking guide leading small groups through tea shops, tea fields, and centuries-old shrines. The tour includes matcha tasting at one of Japan's oldest tea shops, a lunch of tea-infused dishes at a traditional tea house, and participation in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony. The full experience runs about five hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Uji and taste matcha treats

• Explore historic Uji district
• Visit oldest tea shop in Uji
• Taste matcha rice cake skewers

The experience

Uji earned its reputation as a tea haven over centuries, and this tour moves through that history on foot. You'll start by exploring the district itself: introduced to how tea originated here, what makes the water and soil special, and why the art of tea ceremony took root in these streets. The guide shares the stories behind the shrines Uji is home to, some of Japan's oldest, woven into the same landscape where tea has been grown and prepared since medieval times.

The tour stops at one of Uji's oldest tea shops, operating for over 850 years. There you'll taste matcha rice cake skewers made with pure matcha powder, getting a direct sense of how the ingredient tastes when it's fresh and properly made. Lunch follows at a famous tea house, where the kitchen serves "tea dishes": chasoba (green tea soba noodles) and other umami-forward plates designed to complement the tea you're drinking. After eating, you move into the tea ceremony itself at a traditional tea house, where you'll experience the ritual firsthand rather than watching from a distance.

The walk covers moderate ground over five hours, so comfortable shoes matter. Children from age six are welcome on the tour. Public transportation stops are nearby if you need to rest or adjust your timing, and the guide speaks English throughout, explaining each stop and answering questions as you go.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide.
• matcha rice cake skewer tasting at an 850-year-old tea shop.
• tea-infused lunch with chasoba and umami dishes.
• participation in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony at a traditional tea house.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday and FridayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by フルダイニング料理教室

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have a free afternoon in Kyoto and want to move beyond a quick matcha stop. The five-hour pace gives you time to absorb how tea shaped Uji's history, taste it at different stages, and actually practice the ceremony rather than rush through it. Children from age six can join. The walk requires moderate fitness, and it's not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

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 exactly happens during the tea ceremony part of the tour?

At a traditional tea house after lunch, you participate in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, learning the ritual and preparation methods rather than observing from the sidelines. The guide walks you through the process.

Is the matcha tasting included, or do I pay extra for it?

Matcha rice cake skewers are included as part of the tour when you visit the 850-year-old tea shop. You taste the matcha directly in the skewers, made with pure matcha powder.

How much walking is involved over the five hours?

The tour is a walking tour through Uji's streets and tea district, so you'll be on your feet for most of the five hours. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need a break.

What's included in the lunch at the tea house?

Lunch features chasoba (green tea soba noodles) and other umami dishes designed to complement the tea. These are included as part of the tour.

Do I need any tea knowledge to join, or is this for beginners too?

The tour is built for both green tea lovers and food lovers new to matcha and tea ceremony. The guide introduces you to the origins of tea, the art of tea ceremony, and the specifics of Uji's tea culture as you go.