Another Side of Kyoto: Exploring Uji and Wazuka – Home of Japanese Green Tea
This tour will show you a different side of Kyoto—peaceful, uncrowded, and surrounded by nature. We will explore the Uji area, often called the 'Kyoto of Green Tea,' where you can admire the breathtaking scenery of tea plantations. Along the way, we’ll visit Byodo-in Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as Shojyuin Temple, a small yet charming gem.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
- If you are staying at a hotel in Kyoto, I can pick you up directly from there. If you are coming from outside Kyoto, I will meet you at JR Kyoto Station.
Byodoin-Temple
Byodo-in Temple in Uji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its Phoenix Hall (Houou-do), a stunning 10th-century structure that appears to float over a reflecting pond. It’s featured on the Japanese 10-yen coin and is a masterpiece of Buddhist Pure Land architecture.
Shojuin Temple
Shojuin Temple in Ujitawara is known for its iconic heart-shaped window, symbolizing harmony and happiness. Surrounded by serene nature, the temple also features colorful ceiling paintings of seasonal flowers and wildlife, making it a picturesque and peaceful spot. This temple is small yet very charming and one of my personal favorites.
Town of Wazuka
Wazuka, located in southern Kyoto (Prefecture), is a small town renowned for its tea cultivation, particularly high-quality Uji tea. With over 800 years of tea-growing history, it offers picturesque landscapes of terraced tea fields and scenic countryside. In this area, we will go for a walk around the fields and enjoy the view. Also, we will have lunch in this area.
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kyoto ( Or JR Kyoto Station)
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
Transportation between the sites (car driven by the guide, Honda Vezel 4 seaters),
Parking, gas, toll
Meals, Admission fees for temples, (For Byodoin Temple: 700 yen, approximately 4.5 USD, Shojuin Temples, 800 yen, approximately 5 UDS- Please bring cash since they only accept cash) , and Travel Insurance (The guide is not responsible for any accidents that may occur during the tour)
Tour Important Information
*In Wazuka, we will be walking quite a bit, though the paths are mostly flat and not very challenging. Please wear comfortable shoes. If you’d prefer to minimize the walking, let me know, and I can adjust the itinerary accordingly.
* Although my car can accommodate up to four passengers (excluding the driver), the rear seat may feel a bit small. If you have more than five people in your group, please let me know before making a reservation.
In case of bad weather, such as heavy rain, storms, typhoons, or snow, walking around Wazuka may not be ideal as there is little shelter available. If that happens, I will provide alternative options for your tour.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Kanae O.
Hello! I am Kanae, a nationally licensed guide. While working full-time as a lecturer at a local university in Kyoto, I have also been guiding for two years.
Born and raised in Kyoto, I am excited to share the beauty and culture of my hometown with my customers. Kyoto is an enchanting city, and even as a local, I am continually fascinated by its many charming spots. Whether it's the serene temples, vibrant markets, or hidden gems, there is always something new to explore and appreciate in this wonderful city.
Also, since my home is close to Shiga Prefecture, I am very familiar with the area. While Shiga may not be as popular as Kyoto, it offers a wealth of attractions for tourists. From historical sites such as temples and shrines to the stunning natural beauty of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, there is much to see and do. I am passionate about promoting Shiga and sharing its unique charm with visitors.
Reviews
Nan C.
“Memorable Tours of Kyoto, Wazuka and Shiga ”
I was very fortunate to have Kanae as my guide for three days. Kanae is a very thoughtful guide who always thinks of what is best for her clients. She is flexible and able to offer helpful suggestions based on her experience. Kanae speaks English very well and is easy to understand. She is a safe driver and since Kanae drives between attractions, it's very convenient and a timesaver. It's important to see the major attractions in Kyoto such as Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama area, Kinkakuji Temple and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine because each place is quite unforgettable and the memories will last a lifetime. I would also recommend taking time to explore the scenic town of Wazuka to view the cultivated tea fields which look like works of art. We had a delicious lunch at a cafe which was reasonably priced and overlooking the beautiful tea fields. Shiga Prefecture also offers the beautiful scenery of Lake Biwa. The traditional merchant town of Omihachiman was interesting to see and La Collina has nature-style architecture with vast grounds featuring gardens, shops and cafes. The reasonably priced Omi beef sukiyaki lunch was very delicious and the baumkuchen layered cake was moist and very tasty. I would highly recommend Kanae as a tour guide. She is very friendly and knowledgeable about the Kyoto, Wazuka and Shiga areas.
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Kanae O.
Nan, thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review. It was truly a pleasure spending three days with you, and I really enjoyed our conversations and exploring Kyoto, Wazuka, and Shiga together. I hope we will meet again someday.
Kerry B.
“Excellent guide and day of sightseeing”
Kanae was a wonderful guide, who made our day of sightseeing around Kyoto very special. She was flexible and open to our destination suggestions, and was very knowledgeable about the sights and city. We appreciated her warm hospitality, and very much enjoyed her company. We also loved that she took us to a hidden gem temple at the end of our visit that we would not have discovered without her help! We highly recommend Kanae and this tour.
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Kanae O.
Kerrv, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a generous and kind review. I’m truly happy to know that you enjoyed the tour with me. It was a pleasure spending the day with both of you, and I really appreciated your enthusiasm for learning about Kyoto and Japanese culture.I hope to have the opportunity to guide you again whenever you return to Kyoto.
Jj E.
“Wonderful experience”
I can’t recommend Kanae more highly. She was very friendly, communicative, punctual and helpful. She listened to our requested itinerary but made changes that were more practical and let us see some things we didn’t expect to see. I would definitely book her again if we come back to Kyoto.
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Kanae O.
Thank you so much for your kind and generous review. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary and the day with me. I would love to guide you again if you ever return to Kyoto!
$291/ per group
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