{"id":9555,"date":"2026-07-03T16:25:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T16:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guadiviajando.com\/uji-matcha-city\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T16:19:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T16:19:41","slug":"uji-matcha-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guadiviajando.com\/en\/uji-matcha-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Uji Day Trip from Kyoto | Is It Actually Worth It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re sorting out your Japan itinerary, you\u2019ve definitely come across Uji<\/em><\/strong>. The ultimate capital of Matcha.<\/strong> It makes for the perfect day trip from Kyoto, letting you discover not just premium green tea, but incredible temples, shrines, and a beautiful riverside stroll.<\/p>\n\n

But just as you\u2019re probably thinking, Kyoto already has plenty of all that. So, the real question is:<\/p>\n\n

Is it actually worth spending a whole day in the town of Uji?<\/h3>\n\n

If you absolutely love matcha or you\u2019re genuinely curious about the whole culture surrounding this tea, then yes,<\/strong> 100%. If, on the other hand, you couldn\u2019t care less about matcha, you\u2019re short on time, and you’d only go for the temples… then it might not be worth dedicating a day to Uji. <\/p>\n\n

In this guide, I\u2019m going to share how to get to Uji on your own, the absolute best things to do, and how to structure your day (whether you’re planning to hunt down ceremonial matcha powder or not). Mind you, if you prefer to skip the logistics altogether, there are some great guided tours that sort everything out for you. This particular tour is one of the highest-rated options.<\/a> Ready to plan an epic day out in Japan? Shall we? <\/p>\n\n

How to Get to Uji from Kyoto<\/h2>\n\n

Uji sits right next to Kyoto, and the journey is super short, straightforward, and trains run constantly. Forget about activating expensive rail passes\u2014you don\u2019t need a JR Pass to go to Uji. It works exactly like a regular metro line using one of the standard IC cards (like Suica or Pasmo). <\/p>\n\n

You have two different train stations and lines to choose from, and deciding which one to use depends 100% on the area of Kyoto where your hotel is located:<\/p>\n\n

JR Nara Line (JR Uji Station)<\/strong>: Catch this one at Kyoto Central Station. It\u2019s a direct rapid train that takes about 20 minutes and drops you off very close to the main street. It costs around 1.30 EUR. <\/p>\n\n

Keihan Line (Keihan Uji Station): <\/strong>This is the best option if you’re staying in the traditional Gion<\/em> or Sanjo<\/em> areas, though you\u2019ll need to change trains at Chushojima. It drops you off on the other side of the river, closer to the historic tea shops. <\/p>\n\n

If you haven\u2019t booked your accommodation in Kyoto yet, get onto it!<\/strong> The best prices and locations book out incredibly fast. You can check out all the top-rated options right near the train station for seamless connectivity. <\/em><\/p>\n\n