Uji tour: Byodo-in Temple, matcha making & Genji Museum

Make matcha by hand, then walk through centuries of Japanese tradition

A guided tour of Uji, Kyoto's tea heartland, centered on four stops: the iconic Byodo-in Temple with its Phoenix Hall, a hands-on matcha-making experience at a tea museum, Ujigami Shrine (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Tale of Genji Museum. The tour runs roughly seven hours with an English-speaking guide and includes all entrance fees and the Japanese art experience. You'll meet at JR Uji Station and return there at the end, with time for lunch and shopping between stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Uji's temples and tea culture

• Meet at JR Uji Station
• Visit Byodo-in Temple
• Lunch and shopping time
• Visit Tea Museum
• Make matcha using stone mill
• Visit Ujigami Shrine
• Explore Tale of Genji Museum
• Return to JR Uji Station

The experience

The tour starts at JR Uji Station and opens at Byodo-in Temple, a Buddhist temple built in the late Heian period and now one of Japan's most recognizable structures. You'll have time to explore the temple grounds and its striking Phoenix Hall before lunch, when you can eat in the area or browse local shops if you finish early.

After lunch comes the hands-on part: at the tea museum, you'll grind matcha yourself using a stone mill, learning the technique that has defined Uji's identity for centuries. The tour then moves to Ujigami Shrine, built as the guardian of Byodo-in and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 as part of Kyoto's Historic Monuments. The final stop is the Tale of Genji Museum, where the world of the classic 11th-century novel appears through projected images, models and exhibits.

The guide speaks English throughout, and all entrance fees are included in the price. If you'd rather stay in the city centre after the tour ends, you can arrange that with the operator beforehand. Public transportation is available nearby if you need it before or after the tour.

What’s included

• Guided tour with an English-speaking guide.
• entrance fees to Byodo-in Temple, Ujigami Shrine, the Tea Museum and the Tale of Genji Museum.
• the Japanese art experience fee.
• and the hands-on matcha-making activity with a stone mill.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 20

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)

Is this one for you?Book this if you're comfortable walking steadily for several hours with breaks at temples and tea sites. You'll need to arrange your own transport to JR Uji Station.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6).

What is Byodo-in Temple and why is it significant?

Byodo-in is a Buddhist temple built during the late Heian period in Uji, famous for its striking Phoenix Hall. It stands as one of Japan's most iconic historical structures and a testament to the city's rich cultural legacy.

Do I make matcha myself on this tour?

Yes. At the tea museum, you'll grind matcha using a stone mill as part of the hands-on experience, learning the traditional technique that has made Uji renowned as the birthplace of Japanese green tea.

Is Ujigami Shrine included in the tour?

Ujigami Shrine is the final major stop before the Tale of Genji Museum. Built as the guardian of Byodo-in Temple and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, it's a key part of the itinerary.

What happens at the Tale of Genji Museum?

The museum displays the world of the classic Japanese novel "The Tale of Genji" from the early 11th century through projected images, models, and exhibits, offering insight into this foundational work of Japanese literature.

How much time do I have for lunch?

Lunch falls between the Byodo-in Temple visit and the tea museum experience. If you finish eating before the group reconvenes, you can shop in the area before the afternoon activities begin.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour meets at JR Uji Station (not Keihan Uji station) to begin and returns there at the end. If you'd prefer to spend the rest of your day in the city centre, you can arrange that with the operator.