Uji sits just a short train ride south of central Kyoto, serving as a primary hub for Japan’s green tea production. Travelers head here to purchase ceremonial-grade matcha directly from historic tea farms, eat green tea soba noodles, and walk along the Uji River. The town also houses UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Byodoin Temple and Ujigami Shrine, which are easily reachable on foot from the local stations.
DIY Matcha Grinding Workshop at Chazuna Community Center
Creator Angus Wan travels to Uji to learn how to grind and prepare his own bowl of ceremonial matcha. After finding other tea factories fully booked, he visits the Chazuna community centre for a last-minute workshop. Instructors guide him through the traditional process of stone-grinding the green tea leaves.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Chazuna Community Center
- 💡 Best for: Matcha Lovers, DIY Enthusiasts
Uji and Miyama Day Trips with Sol Life
Host Sol documents a series of day trips from Kyoto, focusing on the thatched-roof village of Kayabuki no Sato in Miyama and the tea culture of Uji. In Miyama, she walks around the traditional houses, stops by Cafe & Gallery Saika, and explores the Miyama Folk Museum. Moving to Uji, she shops for green tea at Nakamura Tokichi Honten and explores the historic Byodoin Temple. She orders green tea soba for lunch before walking along the Uji River. Her trip concludes with a matcha dessert and a sunset view in Osaka.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Nakamura Tokichi Honten
- 💡 Best for: Day Trippers, Temple Goers
Rainy Day Trips to Ohara and Uji Tea Shops
Sol takes a rainy day trip starting in the mountain village of Ohara, visiting Sanzen-in Temple and enjoying matcha in the garden at Hosen-in. She then travels to Uji to experience a hands-on tea-making workshop at Fukujuen Uji. For lunch, she eats matcha soba noodles at the Nakamura Tokichi Honten main store. She shops for tea around Byodo-in Omotesando, stopping by Masuda Chaho and Horii Shichimeien. Her itinerary ends with a walk around the futuristic Uji Station and dinner at Cafe Bibliotic Hello in Kyoto.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Fukujuen Uji (Uji Tea Factory)
- 💡 Best for: Café Hoppers, Tea Collectors
Matcha Shopping and Cafe Hopping with Sam and Victor
Creators Sam and Victor travel from Osaka to Uji for a dedicated day of matcha shopping and cafe hopping. They navigate the local streets to source high-grade powder from famous tea purveyors. The couple stops at Marukyu Koyamaen and Yamamasa Koyamaen to purchase authentic green tea leaves and ceremonial powders. They also stop by a Tsujiri outlet to sample local matcha treats. The video ends with a matcha shopping haul presentation and food recommendations back in Osaka.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Marukyu Koyamaen Main Plant
- 💡 Best for: Shoppers, Matcha Enthusiasts
Traditional Tencha Cultivation at Kyoto Uji Teahouse Yamamoto Jinjiro
This mini-documentary features sixth-generation tea farmer Mr. Yamamoto at the Kyoto Uji Teahouse Yamamoto Jinjiro, a farm with a 170-year history. The video shows the traditional 400-year-old Honzu shade-cultivation method, which uses straw and reed screens to cover the tea fields. After hand-picking the spring tencha leaves, workers dry them in Japan’s oldest working kiln, built in 1925. Mr. Yamamoto then demonstrates how to stone-grind these dried leaves into ultra-fine ceremonial matcha powder. The tour concludes with a tasting and whisking demonstration of the fresh matcha.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Kyoto Uji Teahouse Yamamoto Jinjiro
- 💡 Best for: History Buffs, Tea Purists
Exploring Ujigami Shrine and Tsuen Main Branch with Mei Time
Creator Mei Time takes a quiet summer day trip to Uji starting at the Keihan Railway’s Uji Station. She walks to Ujigami Shrine, recognized as the oldest standing shrine building in Japan, and then strolls along the Uji River. She stops at Tsuen Main Branch, which is the oldest continuously operating tea house in Japan. After visiting the nearby Amagase Dam, she heads to Matcha Republic to purchase their signature ink-bottle matcha drinks. The video concludes with a peaceful walk back through the historic streets.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Tsuen Main Branch
- 💡 Best for: Cultural Explorers, Slow Travelers
Autumn Leaves at Kosho-ji Temple and Hakusan Shrine
Mei Time returns to Uji in late autumn to capture the seasonal fall foliage. She begins by visiting Uji Shrine and Ujikami Shrine before walking down the tree-lined path of Kosho-ji Temple to see the autumn leaves. For lunch, she stops at Ramen Tanaka Kyu Shoten for a hot meal before visiting a local matcha roastery. She then walks through Momiji-dani Valley to Hakusan Shrine to observe the late-season maple trees. The tour concludes with a view from the Amagase Bridge over the Uji River.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Kosho-ji Temple
- 💡 Best for: Autumn Travelers, Nature Lovers
Grace’s Guide to a Matcha Shopping Haul in Uji
Creator Grace shares her curated travel itinerary designed for securing a matcha shopping haul in Uji. The video shows her visiting key tea merchants across the historic town center to purchase green tea products. She highlights the specific spots she recommends for travelers looking to buy ceremonial powder and tea accessories.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Various spots in Uji
- 💡 Best for: Souvenir Shoppers, Tea Collectors
Grace’s Five Favorite Tea Merchants in Uji
In this short video, creator Grace compiles a quick checklist of five essential shops for purchasing matcha in Uji. She guides viewers to the locations of these historic merchants scattered around the Byodoin Omotesando area. The guide focuses on identifying where to find authentic, ceremonial-grade green tea powders for home preparation.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Byodoin Omotesando
- 💡 Best for: Shoppers, Quick Tips
Jimmy’s Matcha and Street Food Crawl in Uji
Creator Jimmy explores the culinary side of Uji by tasting various tea-infused street foods and desserts. He orders several unique matcha-flavored sweets and beverages before switching to savory local dishes like takoyaki and fresh gyoza. He concludes his food tour by sampling a local Kyoto craft beer.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Various spots in Uji
- 💡 Best for: Foodies, Casual Diners
