One-Day Uji Tour to Enjoy Uji Tea and World Heritage Sites

Byodo-in Temple, which shows the historical glory of the Fujiwara clan, was once a villa on the west bank of the Uji-gawa River. It belonged to Minamoto no Toru but was given to Fujiwara no Michinaga. His son, Yorimichi, converted it into a temple. The Houou-do (Phoenix Hall, a National Treasure), which is surrounded by the Aji-ike pond, demonstrates elements of the gardens of the Heian period (794-1185). The influence of the Heian aristocracy, who dreamt of entering the Pure Land of Amida Buddha, can be seen in the building. Byodo-in Temple is depicted on the 10-yen coin and is a familiar sight in Japan. Meanwhile, the Byodo-in Museum Hoshokan exhibits precious items owned by the temple, such as the National Treasures of a Gilt Bronze Phoenix, "Unchu Kuyo Bosatsu" (Buddhist saints holding a mass in the clouds), and Bonshou (temple bells). Reproductions that made with computer graphics utilizing state-of-the-art digital technology can also be enjoyed in the museum.

Tonoshima and Tachibanajima Islands are collectively called Nakanoshima (islands in the middle of the river). There is a beautiful 13-story pagoda around 15 meters tall on Tonoshima. It was built in the Late Kamakura period (1192-1333) by the monk Eison, of Nara's Saidai-ji Temple, to pray for the souls of fish. The pagoda, which was buried by the river in a flood in 1756, was rediscovered and rebuilt towards the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912). The flood levees are famous for the cherry trees that flower there. In early April, the Ujigawa Cherry Blossom Festival is held on the island, which has now become a park.

At this workshop, visitors can experience hand-rolling tea, making Uji tea with a ceramic plate, and using a stone mortar to make matcha tea powder. You can even enjoy activities like making an Asahiyaki pottery bowl, and pottery painting. In the tea room, you can take a class in tea ceremony or sencha tea ceremony. The room can also be used for traditional tea events. Also, in the Fukujuen Tea Room, in addition to Fukujuen's tea, you can eat sweets like matcha ice cream parfaits, tea-flavored foods like ochazuke gozen (a kind of fancy meal made with many small dishes), and all kinds of Uji tea.

Standing on the banks of the Uji River, Uji Shrine was established in 313. It is located on the former site of Emperor Ojin's detached palace (Kirihana Higeta-no-miya), and its enshrined deity is Uji-no-Waki-iratsuko-no-mikoto, son of Emperor Ojin. The main hall (an Important Cultural Property) was built in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) in a three-peaked nagare-zukuri style, but there are other remaining cultural treasures as well, such as wooden guardian dogs and Noh masks.

The main hall, said to be the oldest existing example of Shinto architecture, was built during the Heian period (794-1185), and consists of three units connected in the nagare-zukuri style, with larger shrine units on the left and right, and a smaller center one. The prayer hall (a national treasure), is built in a shinden-zukuri-like residential architectural style. Together with Uji Shrine, this shrine is said to have originally been Shinto shrines on the grounds of Byodo-in Temple.

If you want to learn about Uji tea and the culture and history of Uji, this is the place to start. This history-filled park is located at the center of several historical locations, linking the Uji landmarks of Uji Bridge, the ruins of the Taiko embankment, and the grave of 2nd century Prince Uji no Wakiiratsuko. Within the park is a community center fondly known as "CHAZUNA," where visitors can learn about the origins of Uji tea, and see exhibitions and videos about the history of Uji. You can also connect with the town and its people, history and culture through a variety of different programs including activities like tea picking and matcha-making, which will make the experience of exploring and walking around Uji all the more interesting.