About this tour
Spend four hours in Uji, Kyoto's celebrated tea region, grinding matcha by hand with a stone mill before sipping your creation. Visit Byodo-in Temple, the eleventh-century marvel gracing Japan's 10-yen note, and walk through streets where tea cultivation shaped centuries of craft. A guide leads you through both the temple's architecture and the stories behind why this valley produces some of Japan's most prized green teas.
Highlights
- Grind matcha powder using traditional stone mortar and pestle
- Taste your freshly made matcha with Japanese sweets or ice cream
- Explore Byodo-in Temple's UNESCO-listed grounds and buildings
- Learn why Uji earned its reputation for superior green tea
- Walk through active tea-growing landscapes with local context
- English-speaking guide shares temple history and tea heritage
What to expect
Your guide meets you near Uji Station and takes you first to the matcha workshop, where you'll use a traditional stone mill to grind tea leaves into powder. The tactile work takes focus—the guide demonstrates technique, then you have hands-on time. Afterwards, you prepare and drink your matcha, paired with either Japanese confectionery or matcha ice cream. The second half shifts to Byodo-in Temple: you walk its grounds, see the Phoenix Hall that appears on currency, and hear about its construction and significance. The guide weaves in Uji's tea history throughout, connecting the temple's prestige to the region's agricultural importance.
Good to know
Wear a mask during the matcha-grinding portion. WhatsApp is the primary contact method before and during the tour—ensure it's installed. The walk is moderately paced; those with serious heart conditions should reconsider. Public transport links are nearby; no hotel pickup is included. Infants can sit on your lap or use specialised seats.
Tour sold and operated by its supplier via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries, not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.