10 Must-See Places in Uji, Kyoto for Tea Lovers
Renowned Japanese author Kimitake Hiraoka, more famously known as Yukio Mishima, described Japan as a series of contradictions. He noted that Japan was partially defined by the relationship between “old and new”. While Tokyo and Osaka help define the importance Japan places on technology and innovation, there’s a particular uniqueness found in Japan’s rich historical sites. What better way to experience historical Japan than to understand Uji and Uji’s special relationship with one of Japan’s favorite drinks, tea?
Uji is located south of Japan’s former capital city, Kyoto-shi. Home to approx. 180,000 residents, it is nonetheless well connected, with both Keihan Uji Station and JR Uji Station serving the community. But what makes Uji special? Let’s take a look at five must-see tea locations and several additional historical locations to help bring to life Uji’s special status as both a tea haven and a source of rich history.
Note: Although I list out all the spots, let me first recommend my personal friend’s Uji tea tour,which covers them and even more in English. Click here to view the Uji Tea Lover’s Tour in English (more about it below).
1. Tsuen Tea
Tsuen Tea Shop is quite possibly the oldest tea shop in the world and is considered the oldest tea shop in Japan. Established in 1160, Tseun’s current building was built in the Edo period in 1672. While known largely for its tea, the shop’s historical imprint has been furthered by visitors such as the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Japan’s “great unifier,” Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
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Located close to Keihan Uji train station and with a beautiful view of the Uji bridge, Tsuen Tea offers not only classical Japanese teas such as matcha and sencha but also various Japanese sweets to go along with your drink.
2. Taihoan
Uji is famous for many reasons, including the Byodo-in Temple; however, a short distance away is a lesser-known public tea house, Taihoan. At Taihoan, visitors can participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Seated on tatami mats and served matcha, visitors can experience a unique and captivating side of Japanese tea culture. Yes, Japanese etiquette is special and memorable, even in the realm of drinking tea.
3. Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo and Takumi no Yakata
Having fallen in love with Japanese tea several years ago, I found myself increasingly curious as to how the tea was created. For those looking to explore this curiosity, Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo offers a workshop where visitors can not only grind their own matcha but also prepare and finalize their own tea. Takumi no Yakata expands the tea-making experience so that those interested can work with certified tea instructors to perfect their own cup of tea.
4. Uji Byodo-in Omotesando
If you’ve visited Tokyo, you’re probably familiar with Omotesando Station and Aoyama-dori. Uji has its own Omotensando, and if you’re a tea lover of sorts, this is a prime location for all sorts of teas and tea-related souvenirs.
Near Byodo-in Temple, this avenue is covered in smaller shops that help take your tea fantasies to another level. Wamucha Café, for example, has been nationally presented on Japanese TV for items such as Map Match Tofu and fried rice with a tea infusion. Nearby at Ito-Kyuemon, visitors can pick up alcohol, yes, mixed with matcha, or purchase Hojicha cheesecake, matcha pudding, matcha chocolate, or even matcha cookies. The tea is simply endless — pretty awesome, I know.
Visiting in the summer? Yes, Japan is humid, to say the least; however, many shops, including Kyoto Rokujouan, offer various flavors of tea and tea-related ice cream flavors to keep you fueled for Uji’s famous bridge.
5. Mitsuboshien-Kanbayashisannyu-Honten
An all-in-one experience can be beneficial for tea lovers. One such location that will allow you to do that is Mitsuboshien-Kanbayashisannyu-Honten. Yes, it’s a mouthful, but this particular store contains a tea room, a tea-making ceremony for 1100 yen, sweets made out of tea, and the purchase of Kyoto-ken-based tea. This store was once known as the master of tea ceremonies for the Japanese Shogunate and provides a deep history of its experience in relation to tea. Be sure to pick up some snacks on the way out and perhaps some store-specific tea that they do not sell elsewhere.
