Discover Uji: A Deep Dive into This Popular Destination Featuring Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Exciting New Attractions!

The main access points to the Naka-Uji area are JR Uji Station and Keihan Uji Station.JR Uji Station is easily accessible, just a 16-minute ride on a rapid train from Kyoto Station and less than an hour from Osaka Station by taking the Special Rapid Service (Shinkaisoku) with a transfer. Keihan Uji Station can be reached from Sanjo Station in Kyoto in 13 minutes on the Keihan Main Line Limited Express, followed by a 15-minute ride on the Keihan Uji Line after transferring at Chushojima Station. From Osaka’s Yodoyabashi Station, it takes 40 minutes on the Keihan Main Line Limited Express, plus an additional 15-minute ride on the Keihan Uji Line after transferring at Chushojima Station, to arrive at Keihan Uji Station.

You can reach the Ogura area by JR or Kintetsu trains. JR Ogura Station is just one stop from JR Uji Station, making it an easy and convenient trip. Kintetsu Ogura Station, on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line, is about 23 minutes from Kyoto Station and around an hour from Osaka Station, with a transfer at Kyoto Station.

A convenient way to travel between the Naka-Uji area and the Ogura area is by bus, which operates eight times a day.
The bus follows a circular route, starting from Keihan Uji Station, stopping at JR Uji Station, and then heading to the Nintendo Museum. From there, it continues to Kintetsu Ogura Station before returning to Keihan Uji Station.
The service runs from 11:30am to 4:10pm, providing a smooth connection between these key locations.

From its humble beginnings in Hanafuda card production, Nintendo has grown into a global gaming powerhouse, captivating audiences worldwide with its consoles and games. In October 2024, the Nintendo Museum opened, offering an interactive journey through the company's history, innovation, and craftsmanship.

The second floor of Exhibition Hall 1 features a vast collection of Nintendo products from past decades, allowing visitors to relive the nostalgia of childhood gaming experiences. Meanwhile, the first floor showcases interactive exhibits where classic Nintendo entertainment is reimagined using modern technology. Highlights include:
A digital Ogura Hyakunin Isshu game, played on a large floor screen using a dedicated smartphone. Giant controllers for cooperative two-player gameplay on nostalgic titles. Visitors can enjoy these interactive experiences using special coins attached to their admission passes.
Additionally, the museum features a Nintendo-exclusive merchandise shop and a customizable burger café, making it a must-visit for fans!

Tickets are available only through a lottery system, with applications opening three months before the visit date. Be sure to plan your trip accordingly!

The area around Kintetsu Ogura Station, the closest station to the Nintendo Museum, is a lively dining district with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and izakayas.
There are many enticing spots to explore, including Adeline Choeido Ogura, which offers a selection of seasonal Western and Japanese sweets, as well as matcha desserts unique to Uji. Izakaya Taisho is known for its diverse menu, featuring fresh sashimi, sushi, horse sashimi, and Kagoshima black pork dishes. Meanwhile, Bistro Dining Jam provides a cozy, hidden-away atmosphere where guests can enjoy dishes made with organic vegetables and carefully selected beef. With options available for lunch, dinner, and café breaks, this area is an excellent choice not only for those visiting the Nintendo Museum but also for travelers exploring the Uji Station area before or after sightseeing.

When visiting Uji, the Naka-Uji area is a must-see, home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Byodoin Temple and Ujigami Shrine, along with historic landmarks like Uji Bashi Bridge. Explore these famous attractions and immerse yourself in centuries of history.
Byodoin Temple, recognized as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, is best known for its Phoenix Hall, which enshrines the seated statue of Amida Nyorai. The structure’s north and south wing corridors extend gracefully on either side of the central hall, evoking the image of a phoenix spreading its wings. When reflected on the pond’s surface, its breathtaking beauty truly resembles a paradise on earth.
Another highlight is the Hoshokan Museum, which houses numerous National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The museum also features exhibits that use cutting-edge digital technology to recreate the vividly colored interior of the Phoenix Hall as it once was, offering a fascinating glimpse into its historical splendor.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uji City is Ujigami Shrine. Its worship hall (haiden), built in the Kamakura period, features the shinden-zukuri architectural style, which was traditionally used for aristocratic residences. Behind it stands the main hall (honden), dating back to the late Heian period, making it the oldest surviving Shinto shrine structure in Japan. Both buildings have been designated as National Treasures.

Spanning the Uji River between Byodoin Temple and Ujigami Shrine, Uji Bashi Bridge is one of Japan’s three oldest bridges. Its distinctive wooden balustrades topped with ornamental giboshi (bronze finials) blend seamlessly with Uji’s historic charm, making it a photogenic must-see spot.

Uji tea, one of Japan’s three most famous teas, is an essential part of Uji’s identity. Exploring its history and characteristics adds another layer of enjoyment to walking through the city. There are various spots where visitors can learn about this renowned tea while experiencing its culture firsthand, whether through interactive facilities or tea-themed cafés.
One such place is "Historical Park of Tea and Uji Town," which opened in 2021. This facility features a museum where visitors can explore Uji tea from multiple perspectives, as well as interactive experiences like matcha grinding and tea canister making, offering a deeper connection to Uji’s tea culture. These hands-on activities rotate daily, allowing for a different experience each time. Outside the museum, historical sites add to the park’s appeal. Visitors can see the Ujigawa-taikotsutsumi, believed to have been built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the Shukei Tea Garden, which recreates tea plantations from the late Edo period to early Meiji period. A particularly special experience is tea leaf picking, held between April and May on these historical grounds. This activity requires advance reservations via the official website.

Built to promote Uji tea and the art of tea ceremony, Uji Municipal Tea Room Taihoan offers visitors the chance to observe a tea master from the Tea Ceremony Federation perform the ritual while enjoying a freshly prepared cup of tea. For first-time visitors, usucha (light matcha) or sencha (steeped green tea, available on select days each month) is recommended. Savoring Uji tea in an authentic tea room setting is a truly special experience.

After learning about Uji tea, enjoy a café break with matcha sweets. Nakamura Tokichi Honten, a prestigious tea shop recognized by the Urasenke tea school, operates a café inside a former tea factory, located in a Meiji period merchant’s residence designated as an Important Cultural Landscape of Japan. Here, you can savor their signature desserts, such as the Nama Cha Jelly (Matcha) and the Maruto Parfait (Matcha), a store-exclusive treat, paired with their renowned Uji tea. Another must-visit is Ito Kyuemon Uji Main Store, a historic tea shop founded in Tenpo 3 (1832). Attached to the store is a teahouse offering a wide selection of matcha-based sweets made with premium tea leaves. Their parfaits, available in both classic and seasonal varieties, are especially popular for their rich aroma and deep flavor, crafted using stone-milled matcha, a tradition passed down for generations.