If you are staying in Kyoto or Osaka, I can definitely recommend taking a day trip to Uji.
Known as the capital of matcha, Uji is a beautiful, quiet city with a calm atmosphere, lovely riverside views, and plenty of delicious green tea treats.
It has some of the charm and traditional feeling of Kyoto, but without the same level of crowds.
I would recommend planning a full day for Uji, especially if you want to take your time, enjoy the river, visit a temple or two,
and try as many matcha-flavored foods as possible.
Here are my recommendations for the best things to do in Uji:

One of my favorite experiences in Uji was visiting Chazuna, a museum dedicated to green tea and matcha culture.
Besides the museum itself, Chazuna also offers different workshops.
We booked the matcha-making class, where we learned how matcha is produced, ground our own matcha, and were shown how to prepare it properly.
The staff spoke very good English, and the class was both fun and interesting.
Not to brag, but the matcha we made was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. I still think about it from time to time….
I honestly had no idea how much work goes into harvesting green tea and turning it into matcha.

One of the special things about Uji is that you can find almost everything in a matcha version.
From Ramen to Soba and desserts, there are so many green tea-flavored foods to try.
Since we were quite hungry, it was the perfect timing for us to sit down at Rokujo-An Uji and try their matcha soba.
The staff were very friendly, and surprisingly, there were almost no people inside during our lunch.
That really confused us because the soba was so tasty.
If you want to try something a little different during your Uji day trip, matcha soba is definitely worth adding to your list.

Of course, after a delicious meal, we also had to satisfy our sweet tooth.
That is how we ended up trying the famous matcha ice cream at Masuda Chaho.
The ice cream looked amazing and tasted even better.
Masuda Chaho is well known for its matcha ice cream, and I can understand why.
But here is a little warning: watch out for the matcha powder they put on top.
I certainly did not, and by the time I finished, I was covered in matcha powder.
And let me tell you, it does not come off easily with just water.
Still, it was absolutely delicious, and I would eat it again anytime.

A visit to Uji would not be complete without seeing Byōdō-in Temple.
Originally built in 998 as a countryside villa, it later became a temple and is now one of Uji’s most famous sights.
The temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden area, making it a lovely place for a slow walk.
The highlight is the impressive Phoenix Hall, with its elegant architecture and peaceful setting.
Fun fact: the Phoenix Hall was never destroyed, making it one of the few original wooden structures
from the Heian Period that still stands today.
If you enjoy history, architecture, or simply beautiful temple grounds, Byōdō-in Temple is a must-see in Uji.

After strolling along Uji River, we made our way to Uji Shrine.
It’s a small and peaceful shrine located a little away from the main tourist paths, which makes it feel especially calm.
There is also a sweet legend connected to Uji Shrine:
It is said that when Uji no Wakiiratsuko lost his way, a little rabbit appeared and guided him,
always looking back to make sure he was following.
That is why you can find the Mikaeri Usagi, or “looking-back rabbit”, at Uji Shrine.
The rabbit is considered a messenger of the deity and a guide that helps people follow the right path.

Uji is a wonderful day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, especially if you love matcha, temples, and quieter places with a relaxed atmosphere.
It is not a city where you need to rush from one sight to the next.
Instead, Uji is best enjoyed slowly: drinking matcha, walking by the river, visiting peaceful shrines, and trying green tea-flavored food.
If you are looking for a less crowded alternative to Kyoto with plenty of charm, Uji should definitely be on your Japan itinerary.
Let me know if this helped you plan your Uji day trip and which matcha treat you would try first!