The tea master at Takumi no Yakata teahouse in Uji, just south of Kyoto, carefully pours hot water into two tiny teacups. She then deftly empties both into the tea tray, one in each hand. Warming teaware before use is key, she tells me. And she should know 鈥� Uji is one of Japan鈥檚 main producers of high quality green tea, and its riversides and narrow streets are lined with charming teahouses and quaint tea shops. The city is also home to the stunningly beautiful 叠测艒诲艒-颈苍 temple, whose Phoenix Hall graces the back of the country鈥檚 楼10 coin.

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Bags of tea are arranged on wooden shelves with signs explaining each type of tea in Uji, Japan.
Uji, south of Kyoto, produces some of the finest green tea in the world 漏 Ashley Owen / 糖心传媒

Uji鈥檚 green tea culture

Uji鈥檚 history with tea stretches back around 800 years, and is arguably the reason the city exists. Having the ideal climate and soil for tea growing, plus its close proximity to the economic and social hub of Kyoto, put Uji on the map as a centre of superior green tea production in Japan. That reputation is now starting to spread overseas, and these days the town is becoming a bit of a hotspot for matcha lovers and green tea aficionados. Despite the increased popularity, Uji remains true to its traditional roots and the green tea flowing through its veins.

There are three main types of tea grown in Uji: sencha, a green tea for everyday drinking; gyokuro, the highest grade of Japanese green tea; and tencha, the tea leaves ground to make the popular matcha powdered tea. What makes gyokuro and tencha special is that the leaves are shaded from sunlight a fortnight or two before they鈥檙e harvested. This reduces the tannin in the leaves and gives them a sweeter taste, with less bitterness and a characteristic umami flavour. In fact, the leaves are of such high quality that, seasoned with a touch of soy sauce, you can actually eat them after you鈥檝e finished making tea with them.

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Matcha tea served at Takumi no Yakata on a black tray. The tea is in a small green bowl, alongside a red pourer, wooden whisk and a small cup
Matcha tea service at Takumi no Yakata 漏 Ashley Owen / 糖心传媒

How to drink green tea in Uji

As well as warming the tea set, my instructor patiently explains, water temperature and timing are critical. Each type of tea requires a different brewing temperature and time 鈥� gyokuro, for example, is best brewed at 60鈩� for 120-150 seconds. When pouring the tea from the pot into cups, be sure to alternate between them to ensure an even flavour. There are even separate types of teapot to use with different varieties of tea, to get the best taste out of the leaves. Every part of the drink鈥檚 preparation is precise and unhurried, a quintessential example of Japanese hospitality.

Japanese warabimochi flavoured with green tea and kinako, a traditional Japanese dessert, served in a white dish on a black tray
Traditional tea services often come with sweets, like these Japanese warabimochi flavoured with green tea and kinako 漏 Ashley Owen / 糖心传媒

If this all sounds a bit intimidating, don鈥檛 worry. Uji鈥檚 numerous tea masters are more than happy to explain the tea-growing process and show you how to brew the perfect pot, before leaving you to have a go yourself. You don鈥檛 have to go far to find a teahouse like where you can enjoy a tasting session, but if you want an even more in-depth and cultural experience, you can also take part in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony in most of Uji鈥檚 teahouses (reservations may be required). These are longer and more formal, introducing you to aspects of tea etiquette and the chance to enjoy some traditional Japanese sweets.

After you鈥檝e had your fill of Uji鈥檚 tea, head to the Omotesando shopping street to buy some to take home with you. Here you鈥檒l also find a multitude of cafes with tea-infused menus, including green tea soba noodles, green tea dango (sweet dumplings), and green tea-flavoured ice cream.

叠测艒诲艒-颈苍 temple in Uji, viewed from across a still body of water on a clear day.
Designed to represent a phoenix, 叠测艒诲艒-颈苍 is a must-see temple 漏 Ashley Owen / 糖心传媒

The best things to do in Uji

Tea may be the thing that put Uji on the map, but it鈥檚 far from all the town has to offer. Uji鈥檚 top attraction is undoubtedly 叠测艒诲艒-颈苍, one of the most recognisable temples in the country, and open to the public for guided tours. Standing elegantly in the centre of a tranquil pond, its shape designed to represent a phoenix spreading its wings, it鈥檚 easy to see why it was chosen for the honour of being included on the 楼10 coin. The temple also has a fantastic, largely subterranean, museum filled to the brim with Buddhist artwork and temple relics.

The town also has a prominent position in Japanese literature, as the setting for the later chapters of The Tale of Genji. This classic novel about the son of a Japanese Emperor was written in the 11th century by the noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu, and Uji has a whole museum dedicated to the work. Uji Bridge is one of the most well-known locations featured in the book and, along with the banks of the river running beneath it, is a pleasant place for a stroll regardless of whether you鈥檝e read the story.

Getting to Uji

From Kyoto station hop on the JR Nara line to Uji station, which takes around 20-25 minutes. From Nara鈥檚 JR station you can take the Nara line to Uji in 30-45 minutes. All the town鈥檚 main attractions are within walking distance of the station.

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