Uplifting Uji: Kyoto's Tea, Shrines, and Natural Spirituality
4.5
Uplifting Uji: Kyoto's Tea, Shrines, and Natural Spirituality
By Pinpoint Traveler Kyoto
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 2-90, max of 8 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More
- Admission to all temples and the museum at Byodoin.
- Gyokuro tea house experience with Japanese sweet
- Entry/Admission - Uji
- Entry/Admission - Ujigami Shrine
- Entry/Admission - Koshoji Temple
- Entry/Admission - Byodoin Temple
- Entry/Admission - Byodoin Omotesando
- Entry/Admission - Prefectural Uji Park
What's not included- Food and drink outside of the tea experience
- Start:
- Keihanuji Ekimae Information Centre, Japan, 611-0021 Kyoto, Uji, Otsukata713 京阪宇治ビル 1階In front of Keihan (not JR) Uji Station, near the taxis.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 33348P22- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- The itinerary as is includes many stairs. If this poses a problem, let us know, and we'll make suitable modifications.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 33348P22
From
$223.79
per adult (price varies by group size)
Select date and travellers
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Itinerary
- Japan, 〒611-0021 Kyoto, Uji, Otsukata−7−13 京阪宇治ビル 1階In front of Keihan (not JR) Uji Station, near the taxis.
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- 6Pass byUji River
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- 607kirstenw0 contributionsGreat night outside the tourist box in Kyoto and Worth every Yen :)This was one of the only tours we booked for our trip to Japan and we really really do not regret it. Hugo, our guide, was fabulous and this ended up being one of the great nights of our trip. We were able to ping him on all our little questions about Kyoto, Japanese culture and history, all while walking the streets and stopping at notable sights. If you are looking for a stop by stop walking tour with the same ole spiel to check boxes off- don't do this.... if you are looking to see something different and just as culturally and historically relevant - DO IT. We loved the little pocket bars we went to and the food was great (not all dishes we liked, but we TRIED). Hugo gave us confidence to go in and check out other places - so BRAVO - Bonne continuation à toi et ta famille au japon - Kiki et MWritten 29 January 2025
- zeroze0 contributionsNot againThe guide talked about himself the entire time. The food selection was not a great variety. We seem to walk and walk and then stop and wait.Written 19 January 2025
- TrailBlazer7700270 contributionsEnjoyable and informative day!Hugo was an amazing guide. He had incredible knowledge and was fun to be with for a whole day. Pinpoint was flexible in adjusting the itinerary for our specific interests. We really enjoyed our excursion.Written 22 December 2024
- Cory F0 contributionsIncredible food and guideMaya was a great guide and fun to tour gion with. As great as she was, the food was even better. It was arguably some of the best food we've had in Japan so far!Written 3 December 2024
- kathryntQ8732FB0 contributionsWalking tour Good-Eating Where Smoking is allowed-Not so muchWe met in front of the Minamiza Kabuki theater. Two other couples were in our group as well as our tour guide, Karim. Really nice group of people. Our guide was energetic and upbeat the entire time. We had been on another Gion tour prior to this one and this guide took us to some areas we hadn't previously seen in Gion which was nice. The first place we stopped for food was an extremely small place which is very normal in Kyoto. The issue my husband and I had was that as soon as we walked in a gentleman was smoking non stop and the entire place smelled of cigarette smoke. The sashimi offering was delicious, but the two dishes offered were just okay (3 small pieces of tempura and a crab rice). There was just enough room for our party of seven people to sit. We could't converse easily with each other because four of us sat facing the kitchen /bar while the other couple sat at the small table behind us, as well as the guide. We thankfully left the small eatery (fresh air!) and walked to other beautiful areas of Gion. The next izakaya we went to also had people smoking. Smoking in eating establishments in Kyoto is not the norm so this was a bit strange for us. The food was honestly just okay again and the staff at this place was surprisingly not very friendly. Kyoto area has some of the best food offerings and nicest people. I felt the two places we were brought to eat were just okay. I did appreciate the guide's informative history behind the Geiko (Geisha) and Maiko (apprentice to become Geiko). Also the origin of Kabuki theater was fascinating. Lore says it was originated by a legendary female dancer, Izumo no Okuni. There is a statue dedicated to her in Gion. There were young musicians busking near the area of her statue by the subway entrance. All in all a good walking tour but not for the food.Written 15 November 2024
- 191iral0 contributionsWe had a wonderful experienceIt was a great day. Our guide Hugo was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and gave us an insight into the history and culture of the place, as well as an insight into way of life in Japan. Although we had much less time than originally planned for our visit to Kyoto (due to Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas shortening our stay in port), we have managed to see most of what was on our bespoke itinerary and get a proper taste of the city. We enjoyed our visit to Kyoto very much indeed :-)Written 13 November 2024
- davidjS6969XG0 contributionsGreat Experience!Great tour, knowledgeable guide and we liked his sense of humor and playfulness! Meals were delicious and exploring the Gion area was a fascinating experience.Written 9 November 2024
- stephaniev117960 contributionsGreat tour as an intro to KyotoGood tour to do on the first night in Kyoto! Karim was a friendly and knowledgable tour guide. We started off walking through the side streets of the Gion district as we made our way to the Yasaka shrine, which was lit up nicely at night. Karim would share some historical context and cultural facts as we walked, and we ended the night at two different izakayas. Food and drinks were included in the tour, and both places served enough food to make a meal. The food was served as a sort of multi-course sampling, so you got to try out a lot of different items which was cool!Written 17 October 2024
- 962mels0 contributionsFabulous eveningWe saw a completely new aspect of Kyoto. Shinto shrines with the practices explained and experienced. Very atmospheric alleyways with dozens of small restaurants and throbbing with nightlife. Stopped at 2 very different restaurants with 6+ very tasty dishes, and geat sake and beer. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening with Diogo, a great guide.Written 16 October 2024
- catherinekH3596MW0 contributionsAndres is the best, and this tour was a great timeWe had a wonderful time with Andres, who was patient, very knowledgeable and friendly, and helped us find him when we got stuck on the bus on the way to the meeting point. All of the places he took us were great, we had so fun and tried so many awesome things. We would do it again any time!Written 11 October 2024
- 74sagil0 contributionsGreat evening tourLito was wonderful, we a great evening with a Gion tour and good food. We walked around Gion, met Geiko and Meiko and had tastings of local food.Written 4 October 2024
- chrisvB5066BJ0 contributionsBackpacking, "glamping" styleAndres was great! The small group allowed many questions and intimate discussions. Andres provided great information, feedback and quirky responses to my quirky remarks.Written 27 September 2024
- zacharysJ8334PJ0 contributionsAmazing tour!The tour, the views, and the food was amazing. Our tour guide was great and made the experience so much better. Would love to do it again!Written 21 September 2024
- bophanyc20240 contributionsKyoto Nighttime tourA really beautiful and enjoyable tour. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and we enjoyed learning about the area and eating good food while at it! Would definitely recommend for couples, friends, or family!Written 19 September 2024
- E2951DZfrankd0 contributionsAmazing tour ! I learned so muchWe had an amazing tour with Diego from Portugal. He was fluent in Japanese and knew soooo much about Japan. I learned more on this tour than I did in my entire time in Japan. Thank you for a great experience and amazing food .Written 13 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.5
8 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
0
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0
Terrible
1
Trail34892427955
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Couples
Fantastic experience in Uji with Andres. It was our last day in Japan and we were able to visit a less touristy neighborhood of Kyoto but full of charm and authenticity. We had the possibility to ask a lot of questions about the history, tea and traditions of Japan. Our guide also had a phd in Japanese history and explained many details of the temples and shrines we visited. I highly recommend the tour.
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a fantastic experience you had in Uji with Andres! Exploring a less touristy neighborhood of Kyoto on your last day in Japan must have been truly special, immersing yourselves in its charm and authenticity. It's wonderful that you had the opportunity to ask plenty of questions about Japan's history, tea culture, and traditions, especially with a guide who had a PhD in Japanese history. Their insights into the temples and shrines must have added so much depth to your visit. Thanks for the recommendation – we're thrilled to hear about your memorable experience with PinPoint Traveler!
Written 27 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Clayton M
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
What an awesome experience! Bryan, our guide for the tour, was very knowledgeable, patient, and fun. We had an amazing time exploring Uji, partaking in tea, learning about the history of the places we visited, and taking time to relax. This was a very peaceful morning and a great break from the busyness of the city.
Written 22 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It sounds like you had an incredible time on the tour with Bryan! He seems like an excellent guide, knowledgeable, patient, and fun. Exploring Uji, experiencing tea, and learning about the historical significance of the places must have been so enriching. Taking a break from the city's hustle and bustle sounds like a perfect way to spend a peaceful morning. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience!
Written 10 April 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nikki B
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Family
This was a great informational tour if you love tea and want to learn more about the spiritual culture of Japan - especially considering there are so many temples and shrines in the country. Ferdinand was an excellent guide. Very patient, answered all out questions and really enjoyed the group size. 4 people, 5 with the guide made it easy. The tour wasn't overwhelming and wasn't a lot of walking which was welcomed after our other 25-30k steps every other day of our trip. I personally enjoyed learning the proper way to brew tea and properly make my own matcha tea. We went in the afternoon tour but got to Uji early to grab lunch and explore a bit. I think that was ideal as all the shops and restaurants were closing by the time we finished our tour. Alternatively you could also go in the morning but think the lines would have been longer to wait so just need to pick your battles. Really enjoyed Uji and all the matcha foods! Gotta try them all!
Written 29 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! It sounds like you had a fantastic day with Ferdinand and found the tea tour just what you needed after those long sightseeing days. We're glad the group size made the experience more intimate, and that you had a chance to learn about the spiritual side of Japan. Your tip about arriving early to explore Uji is spot on! We hope to see you again for more adventures in Japan!
Written 1 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
andrew g
27 contributions
Never received an email with guide’s information. Was 3 minutes late to meeting point due to travel mistake (my fault for taking a local train instead of express). I tried to contact the company by email 30 minutes before since I was aware I took the wrong train. I never received a reply after sending it requesting to communicate with the guide or company. Just beware there are actually 2 exits to Uji station so it took me a minute to walk out the first one and see nobody was there then out to the second exit to see I was in front of the station.I was still able to have a good time on my own but I was disappointed to have missed the tour. I booked through get your guide and I would not recommend booking it again due to lack of communication.
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have an automated system that *always* sends out pre-trip emails. The problem is that it has to go through Viator (you didn't reserve on GetYourGuide as you say), and sometimes ends up in our guests' spam folder. There is nothing we can do about that. As for the exits to Keihan Uji Station, there is just one, a fact that can be verified on the internet. I suspect you went to the wrong Uji Station. Finally, we would never leave after only 3 minutes. You most certainly were later than that, or you weren't at the right place to begin with.
At time of purchase, the exact meeting place is clearly communicated. We then send you a reminder email. And we also wait up to 5 minutes for late comers. The story you tell here is simply not truthful, and as a company that tries very hard to give our visitors to Japan fantastic experiences, we take exception to your version of the story.
Written 18 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Victoria B
Oslo, Norway13 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
We had a lovely time visiting Uji, Kyoto. Our guide helped us along in perfect English. The best part was visiting the old tea house, where we learned about the brewing of tea and how the same tea can taste differently depending on how you make it. Truly amazing!
I would highly recommend this tour!
I would highly recommend this tour!
Written 15 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It sounds like you had an amazing experience in Uji! The tea house is always a highlight, and we’re glad you found the tea brewing process as fascinating as we do. Thank you for the kind recommendation, and we look forward to seeing you on your next adventure!
Written 16 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kirsty M
7 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Fantastic tour! The chance to do something a little different. We really enjoyed the hands-on tea lesson. Our guide, Lito, really made our experience special. His knowledge of the area was fantastic and his engaging conversation made for a highly memorable afternoon.
Written 15 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the hands-on tea lesson and found the tour to be a unique and memorable experience with Pinpoint Traveler. It's wonderful to know that Lito, our guide, played a significant role in making your afternoon special with his fantastic knowledge and engaging conversation. We appreciate your kind words and hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again for more unique adventures.
Written 18 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christine M
4 contributions
We had the perfect guide through Uji. Unfortunately I don’t remember her name. She used to work at a tea farm and the tea place we ended our tour. We visited two beautiful temples and had the luxury of being there almost by ourselves. The serenity and the break we had inside the Kosho-ji temple was magical. And at the end of the tour we got to taste the amazing tea and matcha for the first time. Thank you for this amazing experience.
Written 19 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're delighted to hear that your guide provided the perfect tour through Uji. Visiting the beautiful temples in a serene atmosphere sounds magical, and we're glad you enjoyed the tea and matcha tasting at the end. Thank you for your kind words, and we hope to see you on another tour soon!
Written 23 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lily E
3 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
We had such a great time with our tour guide, Ferdi. He is knowledgeable and friendly - showed us some beautiful views of Uji and gave us an insightful matcha tea experience.
Written 8 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a great time with Ferdi as your guide.
It’s fantastic to know that you enjoyed the beautiful views of Uji and found the matcha tea experience insightful. Ferdi’s knowledge and friendly nature truly make the tour special.
We look forward to welcoming you on another memorable tour soon!
Written 2 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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