{"id":2391,"date":"2026-10-23T02:53:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T02:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/?p=2391"},"modified":"2026-10-23T02:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T02:53:54","slug":"things-to-do-in-uji","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/th\/things-to-do-in-uji\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to Do in Uji 2026: Byodo-in Rules, Matcha Classes and Which Uji Station"},"content":{"rendered":"

Uji<\/strong> is 17 minutes from Kyoto Station on the JR Nara Line and costs \u00a5240 each way. The best things to do in Uji are the Phoenix Hall at Byodo-in (\u00a5700 plus \u00a5300 to go inside), a bowl of matcha at the city-run Taihoan tea house (\u00a51,500), the World Heritage shrine Ujigami Jinja (free) and the Tale of Genji Museum (\u00a5600).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The town splits neatly in two. Byodo-in and its tea-shop street sit on the JR side of the Uji River; Ujigami Shrine, the Genji museum and most tea workshops sit on the Keihan side. This guide is organised by riverbank, with 2026 prices and the rule changes at Byodo-in from 16 October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u00a5240<\/p>

JR Kyoto to Uji, one way<\/p><\/div>

\u00a5700 + \u00a5300<\/p>

Byodo-in + Phoenix Hall interior<\/p><\/div>

35<\/p>

People per Phoenix Hall slot from 16 Oct 2026<\/p><\/div>

Late Nov<\/p>

Usual autumn colour peak<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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\"Things
Byodo-in’s Phoenix Hall, Uji. Photo: Martin Falbisoner<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

JR Uji or Keihan Uji: which station is better for things to do in Uji?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both stations are called Uji, and they are about a 14-minute walk apart. JR Uji is on the west bank, closer to Byodo-in. Keihan Uji is at the east end of Uji Bridge, closer to Ujigami Shrine and the Genji museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>JR Uji (JR Nara Line)<\/th>Keihan Uji (Keihan Uji Line)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
From Kyoto Station<\/td>\u00a5240; about 17 min by Miyakoji Rapid, about 30 min by local train<\/td>Not direct<\/td><\/tr>
From Gion \/ Sanjo<\/td>Not direct<\/td>Keihan Main Line, change at Chushojima; about 30 min, around \u00a5400<\/td><\/tr>
From Demachiyanagi<\/td>\u2014<\/td>\u00a5460 by IC card; about 46 min<\/td><\/tr>
From Osaka<\/td>\u00a5960; about 58 min via Kyoto (JR)<\/td>From Yodoyabashi or Kyobashi, change at Chushojima; about 60 min, around \u00a5490<\/td><\/tr>
Japan Rail Pass<\/td>Covered<\/td>Not covered<\/td><\/tr>
Walk to Byodo-in<\/td>About 10 min<\/td>About 10 min, over Uji Bridge<\/td><\/tr>
Walk to Ujigami Shrine<\/td>About 20 min<\/td>About 10 min<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fares and times come from japan-guide.com<\/a>, the Byodo-in access sheet<\/a> and Ekitan route searches run on 23 October 2026. Keihan fares are rounded by japan-guide, so check the fare chart at the ticket machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simple rule: arrive by JR from Kyoto Station, leave by Keihan if you are heading to Gion or Osaka. You see both banks without walking back. Suica and ICOCA work on both lines; our IC card guide<\/a> explains which card to get, and our JR Pass guide<\/a> covers whether a pass makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combining Uji with Fushimi Inari<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JR Inari, the station for Fushimi Inari, is on the same JR Nara Line between Kyoto and Uji. Do Fushimi Inari first thing (it is open 24 hours), then carry on south to Uji for Byodo-in by late morning. Check that your train stops at Inari, and see our Fushimi Inari guide<\/a> for climb times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

West bank: Byodo-in, the Phoenix Hall and the Omotesando tea street<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Byodo-in was a Fujiwara family villa that Fujiwara no Yorimichi turned into a temple in 1052, according to Kyoto City’s official guide<\/a>. Its Phoenix Hall, a National Treasure, sits over a pond and is the building on the \u00a510 coin. It is the reason most people come to Uji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Byodo-in tickets and hours (2026)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ticket<\/th>Adult<\/th>Junior high \/ high school<\/th>Elementary<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Garden + Hoshokan Museum<\/td>\u00a5700<\/td>\u00a5400<\/td>\u00a5300<\/td><\/tr>
Phoenix Hall interior (extra)<\/td>\u00a5300<\/td>\u00a5300<\/td>\u00a5300<\/td><\/tr>
Groups over 25 (garden + museum)<\/td>\u00a5600<\/td>\u00a5300<\/td>\u00a5200<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n