The nearest station is Uji (JR Nara Line). Uji is in Uji, Kyoto.

How much does Uji cost?

Uji is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.

Day trip

Uji

Uji, Kyoto

The Phoenix Hall of Byodo-in in Uji reflected in its pond under a clear blue sky — Photo: Tetsuhiro Terada / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Uji is 17 minutes from Kyoto Station on the JR Miyakoji Rapid, and you go for Byodo-in. Its Phoenix Hall was finished in 1053 to hold a 2.4 m Amida Buddha by the sculptor Jocho. The approach to the temple is about 160 m of tea shops, and across the river the main hall of Ujigami Shrine is said to be the oldest shrine building in Japan.

Nearest station Uji (JR Nara Line)

Cost ¥

Time needed Half day

Best time Weekday mornings

Insider tip

Byodo-in's garden and museum cost ¥700. Going inside the Phoenix Hall is ¥300 more, in groups of up to 50 every 20 minutes from 9:30 to 16:10. The inside tours can fill up on busy days, so buy that ticket as soon as you arrive.

What the guides say about Uji

From here Nara is about 35 minutes away on the Kintetsu limited express, Uji 17 minutes on the JR Miyakoji Rapid and Himeji about an hour and a half on the JR Special Rapid (the castle's a 20-minute walk from the station). Osaka's about 30 minutes on the JR Special Rapid, and Fushimi Inari Taisha about 9 on the JR Nara Line. The day trips guide has more.

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For tea to take home, Ippodo Tea has been on Teramachi since 1864, and in its Kaboku Tearoom the staff can talk you through making the tea yourself. Take-away matcha is ¥972. Uji is 17 minutes from Kyoto Station on the JR Miyakoji Rapid, and the approach to Byodo-in is about 160 m of tea shops. It's one of the day trips from Kyoto.

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Nara is about 35 minutes away by Kintetsu limited express, Uji 17 minutes on the JR Miyakoji Rapid, and the Eizan Railway gets you to Kurama and Kibune from Demachiyanagi in about half an hour. The day trips guide has more.

From 28 Things to Do in Kyoto, Timed to Beat the Crowds

View on the interactive map Google Maps directions

Nearby

Fushimi Momoyama Mausoleum Landmark · 5.8 km away Emperor Meiji, who died in 1912, is buried here on the site of Fushimi Castle's main enclosure, under a round-on-square mound finished that September. Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum Museum · 6.1 km away Gekkeikan, founded in Fushimi in 1637, runs this museum in one of its sake storehouses, built in 1909. Choken-ji Temple · 6.1 km away Choken-ji, known locally as the Benten of Shima, is the only temple in Kyoto whose main image is Benzaiten. Shinchi-yu Sento · 6.1 km away Shinchi-yu opened in 1931 near Chushojima Station, and its old building still catches the eye from the street. Fushimi Sake District Neighbourhood · 6.1 km away Fushimi's name was once written with the character for water, thanks to its groundwater, and about 20 breweries still make sake here. Fushimi Yume Hyakushu Cafe · 6.2 km away Fushimi Yume Hyakushu is a cafe and souvenir shop in Gekkeikan's old head office, a 1919 building with Western details.

Good to know

How do I get to Uji?: The nearest station is Uji (JR Nara Line). Uji is in Uji, Kyoto.
How much does Uji cost?: Uji is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
How long do you need at Uji?: Plan for half day.
When is the best time to visit Uji?: Weekday mornings.

Stay near Uji

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