Travelling with kids aged 10 and 7 through Japan, armed with our JR Pass, we set off for Uji—just outside Kyoto —for a day full of culture, tea, and discovery, before continuing our adventure to Osaka. Here’s how our adventure unfolded, plus up-to-date tips you won’t want to miss.
Uji in one day: the short version
- Getting there: JR Nara line from Kyoto Station to JR Uji, about 17–20 minutes, covered by the JR Pass. The Keihan line to Keihan Uji is the alternative from Gion.
- Byōdō-in: ¥700 adults / ¥300 elementary for the garden, plus ¥300 to go inside the Phoenix Hall — timed entry, 50 people every 20 minutes, first come first served.
- Ujigami Shrine: free, and possibly the oldest surviving shrine building in Japan.
- The Nintendo Museum is in Uji, but it is lottery only, three months ahead. Enter before you book flights.
- How long: a full day is comfortable. Half a day works if you skip the museums.
- Our verdict with a 10- and 7-year-old: the best-paced day of our Kyoto week.
Where to stay in Kyoto with kids
Sakura Cross Hotel Kyoto Kiyomizu – four nights for two adults and two children, under 2 km from Higashiyama. That’s what made reaching Kiyomizu-dera before the crowds possible on foot.
Mimaru Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo – downtown, with family apartments and connectable rooms. Connecting rooms are rare in Kyoto, so apartment-style is the practical answer for four.
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto – on the Kamo river, with family-sized suites, an indoor pool and the Ritz Kids programme. Becomes a destination between temples, which by day three is worth something.
We stayed at Sakura Cross Kiyomizu. The other two are the ones we’d book, chosen on room capacity and location rather than from a stay of our own. Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
From Kyoto to Uji: Scenic Train Ride
We caught the train early from Kyoto. With our JR Pass covering the JR Nara Line, it was a relaxing ~17–20 minute ride to JR Uji Station. Along the way, rolling hills, rivers, rice paddies and occasional temple roofs offered our first glimpses of Japan beyond the city lights. The kids were buzzing—there’s something magical in seeing Japan’s countryside pass by framed by train windows.
Breakfast & Matcha Brunch Options in Uji
We arrived hungry, and started at the Starbucks near Byōdō-in — which sounds like a waste of a morning in a tea town until you see it. It is built into a traditional wooden machiya with tatami seating, and the matcha here is Uji matcha, because everything in Uji is. It is the gentlest possible introduction for children who are not yet convinced by green tea.
Exploring Uji’s Heritage: Byōdō-in, Ujigami Shrine & More
After eating, we explored Byōdō-in Temple, the jewel of Uji heritage. Dating to 1052, its Phoenix Hall (Ho-o-dō) is so iconic, it’s on the 10-yen coin.
Then we visited Ujigami Shrine, possibly Japan’s oldest existing shrine building, with origins in the Heian period.
We also strolled along Uji River, crossed the historic Uji Bashi Bridge, and soaked in peace and the gentle flow of the river—perfect for kids who need space to wander.
Taste of Uji: Tea, Sweets & Local Flavours
Uji is famous for its tea. Don’t miss:
- Trying freshly whisked matcha or matcha sweets (ice cream, parfaits, tea cakes) at a house like Nakamura Tokichi or another long-established tea shop.
- Sampling cha-soba (tea-infused noodles) or simple soba and tempura in local eateries.
- Visiting tea fields or leaf-drying operations if open, or a tea ceremony experience if available.
Hidden Gems & Practical Tips for Families
- Most temples/shrines have hours around 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Ujigami Shrine, Byōdō-in etc. close around 5-5:30 PM. Plan accordingly.
- Ogura area has charming cafés, retro Showa-era alleys, quiet streets. Great for relaxing or avoiding big crowds.
- Summer: cormorant fishing (UKAI) happens evenings from mid-June to late September. Very atmospheric but weather and light matter.
The Nintendo Museum, which did not exist when we went
The Nintendo Museum opened in Uji in October 2024, over a year after our visit, so I cannot review it. What I can do is tell you how it changes the shape of an Uji day, because it changes it completely.
It is in the Ogura area, three to five minutes’ walk from Ogura Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto line — which is a different station from JR Uji, and that matters when you are planning. Open 10:00–20:00, closed Tuesdays (Wednesday when Tuesday is a public holiday) and 30 December to 3 January.
Admission: ¥3,300 for adults (18+), ¥2,200 for ages 12–17, ¥1,100 for ages 6–11.
The catch is the tickets, and it is a big one. Entry is by monthly lottery. You enter during the month three months before you want to visit, results are announced on the 1st of the following month, and each person may enter once per month. You cannot turn up. You cannot buy on the day. If Nintendo is why your child wants to come to Japan, the lottery entry has to happen before you book anything else.
Practically, this means Uji is no longer a spontaneous half-day out of Kyoto for families with gaming children — it is a fixed point you plan the rest of the trip around, or it is not happening at all.
Evening in Uji and Heading to Osaka
As afternoon fades, shops around the main areas begin to close (often by 4:30-5:00 PM). We grabbed an early dinner in Uji, then took the train to Osaka, where city lights and street food awaited us. Our hearts full of temples, tea aroma, river breezes—and yes, a bit tired—but thoroughly delighted.
Why Uji Left a Mark on Us?
This one-day trip reminded us how a place doesn’t have to be huge to be powerful. With kids, the slower pace, the quiet temple gardens, the smell of tatami and tea, the stories behind ancient buildings—they all wove together into something unforgettable. Rather than rushing from landmark to landmark, we let the moments soak in.
Local Culture & Surprising Facts:
Matcha in Uji is not a flavour, it is an industry. Uji has been growing tea since the 1200s, and the town runs on it: matcha ice cream, matcha parfaits, matcha soba, tea leaves sold by the gram in shops that have been trading for centuries. The intensity is noticeably higher than matcha anywhere else — which is worth warning children about before they order a scoop expecting something sweet.
Uji was the setting for the last ten chapters of The Tale of Genji, the world’s oldest novel. These parts of the tale are called Uji Jujo.
The Byōdō-in Museum (Hōshō-kan) uses digital reconstructions to show what Phoenix Hall interiors looked like in their original bright colours—useful for kids who enjoy visuals.
What Byōdō-in costs and how the Phoenix Hall actually works
Garden and Hōshōkan museum: ¥700 adults, ¥400 junior and high school, ¥300 elementary. Garden open 8:45–17:30 (last entry 17:15); museum 9:00–17:00.
Going inside the Phoenix Hall is a separate ¥300 ticket, and this is the part to plan around. Interior visits run 9:30–16:10, in groups of up to 50 people every 20 minutes. Tickets are issued in sequence at the garden reception as people arrive — so the time you get depends entirely on when you turn up. Arrive late in the day and the slot you are given may be two hours away, or gone.
For a family of four with two elementary-age children, garden plus interior comes to about ¥3,200.
If you only want the view — the Phoenix Hall reflected in its pond, the one from the ¥10 coin — you do not need the interior ticket at all. The exterior is what the coin shows.
Uji’s Uji bridge not only offers a beautiful view but is historically significant: one of the oldest bridges, and often features in poetry & art about the river.
More from our Japan trip: 4 days in Kyoto with kids · is the JR Pass worth it? · a day trip to Nara from Osaka · Kurashiki with kids · our full Japan itinerary
FAQs About Our Trip To Uji:
- Is one day enough to explore Uji?
Yes — if you plan wisely. A full day gives you enough time to visit main highlights: Byōdō-in Temple, Ujigami Shrine, stroll along Uji River, enjoy tea and sweets, and maybe explore Ogura’s cafés or the Nintendo Museum. Starting early helps maximize daylight and visiting hours. - How do you get from Kyoto to Uji?
The easiest way is via the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to JR Uji Station (~17–20 minutes). Alternatively, from Gion/Kawaramachi you can use the Keihan Line to Keihan Uji Station. Both are frequent and covered by the JR Pass or local pass depending on your route. - What are must-see places in Uji for families?
Must-see: Byōdō-in Temple (Phoenix Hall), Ujigami Shrine, Uji River & Uji Bridge, tea-shops & matcha sweets. Also, for kids: the digital exhibits at Byōdō-in museum, hands-on tea experiences, and Naka-Uji / Ogura cafés. - When is the best time to visit Uji?
Best seasons: spring (cherry blossoms), early summer (hydrangeas bloom), autumn (leaf-colour), and evenings for cormorant fishing in summer (mid-June to late September). Avoid midday heat in summer; mid-week for fewer crowds. - Is there actually a Uji Castle?
No official “Uji Castle” exists today as a major attraction. The historic landmarks are temples, shrines, gardens, and cultural sites — especially Byōdō-in and Ujigami. If you meant one of those, you’ll find plenty to explore. - Where to eat and what to try in Uji?
Try matcha sweets & drinks, tea houses like Nakamura Tokichi, local soba or tempura shops, cha-soba, and small cafés in Ogura and around Naka-Uji. Early-morning cafés offer fresh matcha-based breakfast options. - Can Uji be done as a day-trip from Osaka?
Yes. From Osaka it’s a bit longer than from Kyoto, but still very doable in a day. Use JR or Keihan trains; start early, and plan travel times so you aren’t squeezing in temple visits at last minute. - How much does Byōdō-in cost? The garden and Hōshōkan museum cost ¥700 for adults, ¥400 for junior and high school students and ¥300 for elementary children. Going inside the Phoenix Hall is a separate ¥300 ticket with timed entry, limited to 50 people every 20 minutes between 9:30 and 16:10, issued in order of arrival at the garden reception.
- Can you visit the Nintendo Museum in Uji? x`Only by winning the monthly ticket lottery. Entries open during the month three months before your intended visit, results are announced on the 1st of the following month, and each person can enter once per month. Admission is ¥3,300 for adults, ¥2,200 for ages 12 to 17 and ¥1,100 for ages 6 to 11, and the museum is closed on Tuesdays. There is no walk-up entry.
