Uncovering Uji: Premium Tea, Shrines & Spirituality in Kyoto

Come explore this more tranquil side of Kyoto with an Uji District tea tour with a local expert guide. Just 17 minutes from JR Kyoto Station or under 30 minutes from Keihan Gion Shijo Station is a completely different Kyoto where a river flows out of the hills and the tea is amazing. The small-town feel is a welcome departure from the often unexpected busyness of central Kyoto. Coming to the Uji district slows things down, imparts some perspective, and brings many visitors a type of fulfillment hard to find in central Kyoto’s big-name tourist spots. Japanese tea, landscapes, and Buddhism really make for quite the trifecta. A half-day Uji walking tour is an excellent way to learn and enjoy each of these three local gems. Your English-speaking guide will meet you at the train station, and we’ll start the day by offering you a primer on all things green tea. In Uji, you can expect a warm welcome wherever you go, without the uptight requirements to strictly adhere to tradition or etiquette. Still, learning some basics will make the experience that much richer! Speaking of etiquette, did you know that putting sugar into fresh-brewed green tea is a major faux pas? But you can still enjoy something sweet that’s made with tea, and we know just the place. We’ll be walking by a sweet shop that sells dango (sweet, sticky, small glutenous pounded rice balls) and the accompanying beverages of hojicha (made from roasted green tea leaves) and ryokucha (made from steamed then dried green tea leaves).