Uji — a day in the Heian era

Overview

Key Features

1. Tea Houses — Since the Kamakura period, the finest tea has been cultivated in Uji. Tea shops, tea houses, and ceramics stores line the streets, some with centuries-old histories. Stroll through the city where Japanese tea culture blossomed.
2. Tea Workshop (Kanbayashi) — In the Kan'ei era, the Kanbayashi family was appointed by the third shogun Iemitsu as the official tea supplier. As a long-standing tea purveyor to the Tokugawa shogunate, they continue to preserve the history of matcha, Zen culture, and the traditions of tea cultivation and production.
3. Byodoin — Phoenix Hall — A UNESCO World Heritage site founded in 1052. The Phoenix Pavilion is famous for being depicted on the 10 yen coin, and its reflection in the pond symbolizes the Buddhist Pure Land on earth. It is a masterpiece of aristocratic culture from the Heian period.
4. Landscape along the Uji River — Along the Uji River, surrounded by old teahouses, famous wagashi shops, and traditional bridges. In spring, the embankment is adorned with blooming cherry blossoms; in summer, refined tea ceremonies take place on the water. The city’s way of life and tea culture remain unchanged.
5. Kōshō-ji — This temple inherited the name of the first Sōtō Zen school temple in Japan, founded by Dōgen in 1233. In 1645, it was revived in Uji by Nagai Naomasa. The approximately 200-meter-long “Kotosaka” avenue is famous for its autumn foliage at the end of the season.
6. Tea and ceramics boutiques — Tea salons offering gyokuro and matcha, workshops and galleries exhibiting tea utensils, as well as wagashi shops. According to your preferences, we will visit places where you can discover the art at the heart of Uji tea.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Uji — a world of tea, temples, and Japanese aesthetics

From the Land of Tea to the Zen Temple

• 10:00 Departure from Kyoto
  After meeting your guide at the hotel, set off in a private car with a personal driver to the outskirts of Kyoto. On the way to Uji, your guide will introduce the day's program and the history of Uji tea.
• 10:40 The homeland of Uji tea
  Stroll through the historic tea district of Uji, home to traditional tea shops, wholesale tea merchants, and ceramics stores. Along the way, your guide will explain the differences between matcha, sencha, and gyokuro, while the air is filled with the delicate aroma of freshly roasted tea wafting from the tea workshops and shops.
• 11:15 Tea Workshop (Kanbayashi)
  Matcha Experience at Kanbayashi — the oldest tea purveyor to the shogunate.
  Grind tea leaves yourself on a traditional stone mill, then prepare a bowl of matcha according to the full ritual of the tea tradition. Savor the taste and aroma of freshly ground Uji matcha, revealing the richness of Uji’s tea culture. In a private family museum, discover the history of the Kanbayashi house — one of Uji’s oldest tea dynasties, which has preserved Japanese tea traditions for centuries.
• 12:00 Byodoin Temple
  Admire the Phoenix Hall from across the pond and enjoy the view depicted on the 10-yen coin. The guide will share insights into Pure Land beliefs of the Heian period and the architectural features of the building. Entry to the inner chambers of the hall is scheduled and will be arranged based on availability on the day of your visit.
• 13:30 Lunch
  Lunch at a carefully selected restaurant. Upon request, we can arrange kaiseki with elements of a tea ceremony, seasonal Kyoto cuisine, a riverside table, or tea and food pairings.
• 15:00 A stroll along the Uji River
  Stroll leisurely along the embankment, visiting teahouses, Japanese confectionery shops, and traditional bridges. In spring, admire the cherry blossoms; in summer, enjoy tea ceremonies by the river.
• 15:45 Kōshō-ji Temple
  Climb Kotosaka, renowned for its autumn foliage, and pass through the temple gates built in the Ryugu style. The Zen temple bears the name of the first Soto school temple in Japan, and you will enjoy a leisurely stroll through its gardens and halls.
  Upon request, you may also visit a tea workshop specializing in gyokuro, a gallery of tea utensils, or a traditional Japanese confectionery workshop.
• 17:00 Kyoto Hotel
  Return to the Kyoto hotel.

Practical Information

Start time / Duration

10:00 / 7 hours

Included in the price

・Private transportation with a personal driver
・Accompaniment by a professional guide
・Entrance tickets