Top 6 Uji Tea Tours

1.Green Tea Tour with Byodoin and Koshoji Temple Visits

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 72 reviews · from $111Our pick

Spend four hours in Uji with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, tasting premium Gyokuro, learning tea customs, and visiting Byodo-in, Ujigami Shrine, and mountain-side Koshoji Temple. Guides such as Damien, Ferdinand, Brian, and David add history, temple etiquette, and local insight.

“This was the best tour we’ve done in Japan! Our tour guide Bryan was incredibly knowledgeable and really shaped our experience in Uji- we learnt about the history of Uji, visited several UNESCO sites, explored and learnt about many different shrines and temples and had an absolutely amazing Uji tea experience at a local tea shop. This was a zen and peaceful tour, where we really had time to enjoy every special moment. Bryan led us through local paths, away from tourist commotion, and really took us on a magical journey of Uji! Thank you for everything- I would 1000% recommend!Read more”

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2.UNESCO Heritage & Tea Ceremony Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 54 reviews · 3 hours · from $66

Start at JR Uji Station with an English-speaking guide such as Yuko, Katsuhiko, or Miyake-san. Walk to Byodoin Temple, learn tea etiquette at Taihoan, cross two suspension bridges, visit Uji and Ujigami shrines, and sample local matcha treats. Expect some walking and a Japanese-language ceremony with translation.

“Katz was an amazing guide! He made the experience unique, fun, and educational. He will not disappoint.”

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3.Matcha Grinding Experience and Walking Tour in Uji Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $130Top rated

Meet your English-speaking guide, possibly Vincent, at Kyoto Station for a four-hour walk through Uji. Visit Byodo-in and Uji Shrine, grind tea leaves with a stone mill at Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo, then drink your matcha with Japanese sweets or ice cream.

“We had a great experience with Vincent! The tour ended up being a private tour which allowed us to go with the flow a bit more. He was great in showing us several temples and shrines, and talked us through the matcha making experience. We would definitely recommend it!”

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4.Kyoto & Uji: Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Osaka or Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $57Best value

Spend about nine hours with a guide visiting Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu-dera, historic hillside streets, and Uji’s river, shrine, Byodo-in, and tea street. Air-conditioned transport links the stops, while temple admission and lunch cost extra. Guides may include John, Jone, or Cave.

“Great tour, great tour guide! Perfect day and great planning allowed us to enjoy all the sights without rushing. Our Guide, Jone, was friendly and helpful, making the trip a truly memorable experience. Highly recommend this tour. Definitely worth it!”

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5.Slow Cycling Tour at Uji’s Matcha Green Tea Fields and Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $130

Ride a stylish BROMPTON bicycle through Uji with an English-speaking navigator, stopping at Chazuna, historic shrines, Koshoji Temple, the Uji River, and tea shops. The small group format, gentle pace, and flexible route suit curious visitors who want more than Byodo-in alone.

“We had an amazing tour with Takashi. He was a great guide!”

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6.Cycling Tour at Uji’s Matcha Green Tea Fields and Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 4h 30m · from $160

Spend 270 relaxed minutes exploring Uji by BROMPTON bicycle with an English-speaking local navigator. Visit Chazuna, peaceful shrines, Kosho-ji, the Uji River, Tō-no-shima Island, and Byodoin, then stop for matcha treats. Groups are limited to six, and the route can be adjusted to your wishes.

“We had the pleasure of having Takashi-san as our guide, and the experience was simply beautiful and relaxing. The tour offered a wonderful opportunity to visit charming shrines that, refreshingly, weren’t too crowded. Riding the bikes calmly along the river provided plenty of scenic photo opportunities. Takashi himself is an excellent guide—attentive, pleasant, and always considerate of our needs and requests. This tour is highly recommended for anyone wis hing to explore a more rural, tranquil side of Kyoto while enjoying a peaceful and memorable day.”

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