Uji Tea Ceremony and UNESCO Walking Tour: Byodoin Temple

Learn tea ceremony in its birthplace, then walk three centuries of temple history without the crowds

A guided walking tour of Uji, Japan combines visits to Byodoin Temple, Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine with a 30-minute tea ceremony at Chazuna. Your English-speaking guide meets you at the station and leads you through each site at an unhurried pace, with entrance fees and the tea ceremony included in the price. The tour takes 3.5 hours, leaving your afternoon free.

Step-by-step itinerary

Uji cultural and tea ceremony tour

• Meet guide outside station
• Visit Byodoin Temple and Phoenix Hall
• Explore Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine
• Participate in Japanese tea ceremony

The experience

Your guide meets you outside Uji Station and walks you through the morning before you set off. Byodoin Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, anchors the first part of the day: its Phoenix Hall has stood for over 1,000 years and sits at the center of what you'll see. The pace here is deliberate: you have time to ask questions, take photos and absorb the detail without being herded through. Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine follow, each one quieter than the last, with the guide explaining the cultural weight of each place as you move through.

The tea ceremony happens at Chazuna, where you learn the art of tea preparation in the region where it began. Thirty minutes is enough to move through the motions with instruction rather than rush through a demonstration. You also visit the tea museum, which sits nearby and gives context to what you've just done with your hands. By the time the tour ends, you've moved through three distinct sites and learned something you can't pick up from a guidebook: all without surprises at the gate, since entrance fees are already paid.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide.
• entrance fees to Byodoin Temple.
• 30-minute tea ceremony at Chazuna.
• tea museum visit.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small Group TourGuide in English · Available from 21 Oct 2027

Private TourGuide in English · Available from 21 Oct 2027Private Tour

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 21 Oct 2027

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 9

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by TripGuru

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want the guide's full attention and the flexibility to linger at any shrine. Pick the small group option if you prefer to share the experience and the cost with other travelers. Either way, the fixed 3.5-hour window means you can plan the rest of your day in Kyoto around a morning that doesn't bleed into afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

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 Byodoin Temple and why does it matter?

Byodoin Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uji with a Phoenix Hall that has stood for over 1,000 years. It's one of Japan's most recognizable structures and the centerpiece of the morning's walking route.

How does the tea ceremony work during the tour?

You spend 30 minutes at Chazuna learning the art of tea preparation with instruction. It's hands-on rather than a performance, and you also visit the tea museum afterward to understand the history and technique.

Will I have time to take photos at each stop?

Yes. The guide builds in time at each shrine and temple for questions and photos, so the pace is unhurried rather than rushed through a checklist.

What's included in the price?

Entrance fees to Byodoin Temple, the 30-minute tea ceremony at Chazuna, and the English-speaking guide are all included. You won't encounter surprise costs at the gate.

Is there time to explore on my own after the tour ends?

Yes. The tour takes 3.5 hours, so your afternoon remains free to explore Uji further, visit nearby shops or rest at a café.