Uji is a small but beautiful city located in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. We had the pleasure of visiting this city during our trip to Japan, and it quickly became one of our favorite destinations.

One of the main attractions in Uji is the Byodoin Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally built in 998. The temple is famous for its stunning Phoenix Hall, which features a beautiful statue of a phoenix on its roof. The architecture of the temple is simply breathtaking, and we spent hours wandering through the gardens and admiring the intricate details of the buildings.

Another must-see site in Uji is the Ujigami Shrine, which is believed to be the oldest standing shrine in Japan. The shrine was built in the 11th century and is known for its unique architectural style and stunning natural surroundings. We loved walking through the shrine’s peaceful grounds and taking in the serene atmosphere.

Uji is also famous for its green tea, and we had the chance to try some of the local varieties during our visit. The tea here is considered some of the best in Japan, and we enjoyed trying different types of matcha and sencha at various tea houses throughout the city.

One of our favorite experiences in Uji was taking a stroll along the Uji River, which runs through the heart of the city. The river is lined with cherry blossom trees, and we were lucky enough to visit during cherry blossom season. The sight of the blooming trees reflected in the river was simply stunning, and we felt truly grateful to be able to witness such a beautiful natural spectacle.