The 11 Best Uji Tours & Tea Experiences

1.Tea Museum Tickets and Matcha Grinding Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 739 reviews · 1 hour · from $23Our pick

At Chazuna in Uji, an English-speaking instructor such as Hideko or Keiko guides you from tencha leaf to freshly whisked matcha. You will use a stone mill, learn brewing technique, taste your tea with sweets, and explore the included interactive museum. Arrive 15 minutes early.

“I really enjoyed learning about matcha and visiting the museum. It would be nice to take the matcha we ground home instead of just using one portion.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Green Tea Tour with Byodoin and Koshoji Temple Visits

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

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Kyoto Matcha Green Tea Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · from $221

Spend about three hours in Uji, Kyoto’s matcha center, with a local guide who helps you sample tea, watch matcha being made, enjoy lunch, taste wagashi and matcha ice cream, browse tea shops, and visit Byodoin Temple. The group is limited to 10 people.

“Warm welcome and gracious hospitality on our recent green tea and Japanese food tour in Uji (Kyoto).”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Uji and Wazuka Matcha Farm Half Day Private Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $360

Spend four private hours with guide Masae exploring Uji and Wazuka, Japan’s celebrated tea valley. Walk beside the Uji River, visit Uji Shrine and Ujibashi Bridge, tour tea fields, taste at least three local teas, enjoy a Japanese bento lunch, and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle.

“Masae was very knowledgeable about matcha and very nice. We went to a farm and did a matcha tasting. She also showed us beautiful landscapes”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Uji Tea Ceremony and UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $70

Meet your English-speaking guide at Uji Station at 9:45 am for a three-hour walk through Byodoin Temple, Taihoan, Uji’s shrines, and riverside bridges. Guides such as Naoki, Katsuhiko, Maru, and Nobumasa Miyake bring local history to life, while the tea ceremony adds a hands-on cultural stop.

“It was a very interesting and informative tour in a beautiful area. Definitely recommend this tour. Our guide was great, the tea ceremony was nice and I appreciated the other beautiful stops. Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Private immersion into Kyoto’s tea and reglious culture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $162

Spend four hours in Uji with a private guide such as Ferdi, Damian, Kevin, or Mika. Taste top-grade gyokuro, visit Ujigami Shrine, Koshoji Temple, Byodoin, its museum, and tea-lined streets, then stroll Uji Park beside the river.

“David was a knowledgeable guide who spoke English and Japanese. Tea drinking can be a complex event! Also visited a temple.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Kyoto tea town for matcha lovers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $157

Walk through Uji with Terumi, tasting matcha sweets, visiting tea shops and fields, grinding your own powder, enjoying tea dishes, and taking part in a traditional tea ceremony. This small-group tour lasts about five hours and ends at Uji Station.

“Terumi was an amazing guide, so knowledgeable, friendly, fun and really knows the area well. We went to see many different locations, make some matcha powder, be part of a tea ceremony and even shopping at some of the historic stores. One of the highlights of our Kyoto trip without a doubt, couldn’t recommend this highly enough.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Utilising upcycled Matcha! Creating matcha incense (Uji, Kyoto)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $55

At Eishin-in Temple in Uji, you will learn how discarded Uji matcha becomes incense, then shape 6 to 7 pieces in wooden moulds. The one-hour workshop includes a Japanese-speaking instructor, seasonal garden views, a gift box, and an optional English interpreter for ¥8,800 per group.

“This was such a unique experience. I’m so glad I was able to make custom incense with my family during our day trip to Uji. The location and atmosphere is very beautiful and our workshop instructor was informative and very kind.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Experience Authentic Japanese Home Cooking in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 1 day · from $122

Join Kayo and the Live Foods Academy for a private 2.5-hour Kyoto cooking class in a traditional townhouse. Make dashi from bonito flakes and kelp, prepare home-style Japanese dishes, practice knife skills, and share the meal you cook.

“We had a great hands on session cooking really delicious, simple dishes that we can can do at home. The great advice about good brands to was really appreciated.”

Check availability →Read our full review