Another Side of Kyoto: Exploring Uji and Wazuka – Home of Japanese Green Tea
Joined 2023
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?
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
Joined 2023
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
Arati S.
“The best day!!”
We got to know the "real" countryside with Kanae. The hike through the tea fields was gorgeous! She also took us to a mom & pop restaurant for a delicious lunch. The two temples we visited were breathtaking in different ways. We also enjoyed shopping, and of course, Starbucks! The added bonus was having the convenience of her car to take us around. Thank you, Kanae!! We will not forget our wonderful day with you!
Ross H.
“Captivating Kyoto and More with Kanae”
Several months before our trip to Japan in March, 2025, my wife and I scheduled a three private tours of Kyoto and the surrounding environs of Shiga (Hikone, Lake Biwa, etc.) with Kanae who drove us to all the locations we visited in her car. She was extraordinarily responsive to my inquiries and sent us a proposed itinerary for our consideration and comment, offering to make any changes we desired (the plans were so well curated that we never needed to make any modifications or suggestions for other or different venues to explore). Kanae was punctual in meeting us at our ryokan each day and organized our tours in a sensible manner to make travel around Kyoto and Shiga as efficient as possible. She is knowledgeable as to the sights we visited and provided interesting information in English we could clearly understand (unless Kon'nichiwa and Arigato constitute fluency, my Japanese is woefully deficient). Most important, though, Kanae is a lovely, warm and thoughtful person (she even brought us thermoses of homemade tea to have on our travels to Shiga) and we greatly enjoyed spending time with her, talking about her family, daily life, favorite foods, and interests. My wife and I are grateful and consider ourselves incredibly fortunate that we chose to tour Kyoto and Shiga with Kanae. I am confident that you will as well.
Beth R.
“Wonderful day tour of shrines & more by car”
Kanae was an exceptional guide for our Kyoto tour. She seamlessly navigated us to the shrines, temples, and the Shogun's castle—locations we wanted to see, but couldn’t have accessed without a car. Her thoughtful planning, including reserving a private parking spot at a residential location, ensured our time was maximized. Kanae's warm and engaging conversation made us feel instantly at ease, and her modern, comfortable car added to the overall experience. Highly recommend Kanae for anyone seeking a well-organized, enjoyable, and stress-free Kyoto tour!
$280/ per group
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