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
“Ohara and Mount Hiei”
A few months ago, I booked Kanae's private car tour which takes visitors to Ohara . We went to three very lovely temples. They included Sanzen In, which has a beautiful moss garden. Kanae also adjusted the itinerary, and we went to Mount Hiei on the same trip. The mountain is magnificent, and the views it offers incredible. The templex complex has played a major role in making the history of Japanese Buddhism. The trip was extremely well-designed. Kanae is creative and well-organized. She has a lot of great ideas about how to enhance visitors' experiences in Japan. In addition, she is observant, knowledgeable, and kind. An amazing tour guide.
Kanae O.
Hung-yok, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review! It brings me great joy to know that you enjoyed the tour to Ohara and Mount Hiei. Both areas are truly special, and I’m delighted that you found the temples and the moss garden at Sanzen-in so lovely, as well as the incredible views and historical richness of Mount Hiei. I learned a lot from your expertise in Japanese history, and I’m truly grateful to have had you as my guest. Thank you again for your kind words. I hope to have the opportunity to guide you again someday for more adventures in Japan!
“Perfect Afternoon In Ohara & Kibune With The Perfect Guide”
We didn't have any expectations of being able to book a tour with Kanae, given the official tour availability, but we were pleasantly surprised that Kanae was able and willing to accommodate our timing despite her busy schedule. And by the end of the tour, we knew instinctively that we would have missed out on a large part of our experience in Kyoto if we hadn't traveled with Kanae for the afternoon. Kanae has a naturally warm and friendly disposition, which made us feel at ease and comfortable from the get-go. Given the half-day time constraint, Kanae designed a customised tour which showcased to us highlights of key temples situated in Ohara (Renge-ji Temple, Hosen-in Temple, Sanzen-in Temple) as well as Kifune Shrine in Kibune. The itinerary ensured that we were able to experience all the attractions we had wanted to cover as well as certain lesser known hidden gems. Kanae has more than demonstrated herself to be the perfect guide. She was able to share interesting insights and valuable nuggets of information on each place we visited, thereby allowing us to understand and appreciate the essence behind each location without being overwhelmed. And Kanae's fluency in English has also helped us communicate effectively, thereby allowing us to share our viewpoints and ideas over a diverse range of topics, all of these add on to create a perfect afternoon for us. We would wholeheartedly recommend Kanae without any reservations to anyone who is looking to explore Kyoto, and most specifically North Kyoto, where we now believe peace and serenity will always await you.
Kanae O.
Daniel, thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review! I’m truly honored that you chose to spend your afternoon exploring Kyoto with me and that I could contribute to making your time here memorable. It was a pleasure designing a customized itinerary that suited your preferences, and I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed visiting the temples in Ohara and the serene beauty of Kifune. North Kyoto does indeed hold a special kind of tranquility, and it’s wonderful to know that you were able to experience its peaceful charm. I also really enjoyed your friendly company and appreciated your eagerness to learn about our culture and history, as well as the insights you shared, for which I am truly grateful. Thank you again for your wholehearted recommendation. Your feedback motivates me to continue sharing Kyoto’s treasures with care and passion. I hope to see you again here in Kyoto sometime!
“Visit to Kyoto”
Intersting guide who guided 2 teenagers and 2 young adults in Kyoto. Arigatou gozaimasu
Kanae O.
Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure guiding your group through Kyoto. I’m so glad I could share the experience with such a wonderful mix of teenagers and young adults. Your curiosity and energy made the day truly enjoyable for me as well.
$271/ per group
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