What are the places and things we can do in the home of the famous matcha, Uji in Kyoto?
1. Visit Byōdō-in 平等院 (Temple of Equality)
Visiting Byodo-in is to see the temple which we observe on a 10 yen coin.
Apart from the fee on the grounds, there is a separate fee to enter the main hall. They also limit the visitors inside the hall.
The phoenix is also printed in 10,000 yen note.
Another angle of the phoenix on the roof.
If you want a smaller crowd, come in a bit early. The scene could change from a serene theme of chasing the autumn leaves to a vast number of students who are coming in the area.
2. Appreciate the wonderful nature
Being in Kyoto, this is a good spot for autumn.
Check how wisteria trellis looks like in November. (If you are wondering how this tree looks like in Spring, check
Kawachi Fujien.)
Found this Japanese holly plant. It's one of those we see as Christmas decor when it's shining green and with red fruits.
Random flowers and berries along the way.
3. Take home green tea, hojicha or matcha tea
4. Drop by Fukujuen Uji (Uji Tea Factory) 福寿園 宇治茶工房
Another place to buy more teas.
5. Drop by the Shinto Shrine
6. Drop by Uji Catholic Church
7. Send some postcards
While dining in Starbucks, a biker having her coffee gave us some autumn postcards. If you see this, thank you so much.
Luckily, there's a post office along the way. We did send the cards to our home town.
8. Sit along the Uji River
You can also see trains passing by the bridge.
9. Get ready for the food adventure
Starbucks Coffee - Kyoto Uji Byodo-in Omotesando
スターバックス コーヒー 京都宇治平等院表参道店
Incorporating with the location, this Starbucks is like a modern cafe with a Japanese touch.
Outside seating area is available facing a Japanese-style rock garden, just like in the temples.
The cafe is like a glass building.
Ramen Tanakakyu Shoten
ラーメン田中九商店
We ordered both matcha takoyaki and matcha dumplings. What makes it matcha is the matcha powdered salt. It's colored greener than the regular takoyaki and dumplings. It does not have a strong matcha taste, it's not sweet nor salty and it's definitely edible. It's definitely good to try.
We choose to have matcha beer distilled locally in Uji.
Tsuen-chaya Teahouse - Main Branch
通圓本店
A Japanese Heritage, a historical walk through 800 years of Japanese Tea. There is a huge tablet in front of the teahouse, "This has been selling tea since old times at the end of Uji Bashi bridge. The building which stands now was built in the late 17th century. It owns a wooden tab used to draw water from the river at the time of the Ujicha-matsuri tea festival"
What is “cha soba”? It is made by adding green tea powder to the buckwheat flour mixture. We ordered cha soba with simmered herring.
Uji Kintoki soft ice cream is a matcha soft serve ice cream with azuki sweet bean, chestnut and matcha dumpling.
At the end of this trip, obviously I fulfilled what my tummy wanted. I did get an upset stomach most likely when I mixed up the beer and ice cream, but still I enjoyed the day. Thus, it's a reminder to better plan your food route when you visit the place because there are a lot more to try and enjoy.
The food street and main town is very accessible from train station and is a walkable area. Here's the map to guide you on your trip to this area.
Want to know more about this trip?
Read on Japan: Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses
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