Uji - A Healing Small Town

Uji - A Healing Small Town It was drizzling that day. I took the JR line from Kyoto, and in just over 30 minutes, I arrived in Uji. As soon as I stepped out of the station, I felt the tranquility and peace of Uji in the light rain! That inexplicable healing feeling can only be experienced when you are there. Here is my route in Uji for your reference Matcha Performance Since I arrived early, I booked a matcha performance at 10 o'clock at the Uji Tourist Center, 2000 yen per person. Several kind elderly ladies were busy preparing. To be honest, I didn't really grasp the essence of the matcha performance. If you are not particularly fond of matcha, I wouldn't recommend it. Byodo-in Temple Byodo-in Temple in Uji is a Heian period garden temple with a pond and boat tour style. Its location is considered a prime spot, facing the Uji River and looking out towards Asahi Mountain. Its Phoenix Hall is one of the most famous Buddhist buildings in Japan. Built in 1053, it has stood ever since. The colorful Buddhist murals are somewhat mottled and have been protected, so visitors are not allowed to touch them. Visiting the Phoenix Hall requires a separate ticket, 1000 yen per person. The name Phoenix Hall comes from the two golden phoenixes on the roof. Another important highlight of Byodo-in Temple is that the back of the 10 yen coin and the 10,000 yen bill both feature the image of Byodo-in Temple. The Tale of Genji Museum The Tale of Genji is to Japan what Dream of the Red Chamber is to China, so this Tale of Genji Museum is worth a visit to learn about the history of the Heian period in Japan. However, compared to Dream of the Red Chamber, The Tale of Genji is on a much lower level. It is astonishing to see the luxurious and chaotic lives of Japanese nobles. Uji Bridge Uji Bridge is located on the Uji River near Kyoto and is one of the three ancient bridges in Japan. It has a long history and deep cultural significance. It is also mentioned multiple times in The Tale of Genji. Standing on the bridge, you can feel the flow of the Uji River from top to bottom, like it is washing away our grievances and worries, very healing. Uji Matcha When in Uji, you must mention matcha. Matcha has now become synonymous with Uji. Mention Uji, and you think of matcha; mention matcha, and you think of Uji. The two most famous matcha shops, Ito and Nakamura, always have long queues. I bought some souvenirs, and if you spend over 5000 yen, you can get a tax refund on the spot. Uji Cuisine For Uji cuisine, I recommend going to the tea house Kurikichi by the Uji River. You need to make a reservation. If you go directly, you will have to take a number and wait in line. We waited for more than half an hour. The matcha noodles, eel rice, and tempura were all beautiful and delicious, perfect for photos.