Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
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Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto worth booking?
Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto is a 4.2-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from $13500 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (5)
- Duration
- 4.2 hours
- From
- $13500 per person
Discover the enchanting town of Uji on this immersive 4-hour walking tour led by a National Government Licensed English Guide. Visit the ancient Uji Bridge, built in the 7th century, and enjoy beautiful views from its sp
What you get
- National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
- Other admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
About this experience
Discover the enchanting town of Uji on this immersive 4-hour walking tour led by a National Government Licensed English Guide. Visit the ancient Uji Bridge, built in the 7th century, and enjoy beautiful views from its special viewing spot. Experience a real Japanese tea ceremony where you'll learn to prepare traditional matcha or sencha tea. Explore the stunning Byodo-in Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose Phoenix Hall appears on Japan's 10-yen coin. This tour combines Japan's tea culture with historic temples for an authentic cultural experience.
What's included
Included
- National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
- Other admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
Not included
- Fees other than those listed in Includes
What you'll see and do
Ujibashi Bridge
Uji Bridge is thought to have been originally built sometime in the 7th century and is counted among the oldest bridges in Japan. A small protrusion off one side of the bridge known as san-no-ma offers great views
5 minutes here
Prefectural Uji Park
The two islands floating in the Uji River - Tō-no-shima and Tachibana-shima - are collectively known as "Naka-no-shima" (Middle Island). Enjoy the panoramic view amid the mountains
10 minutes here
Enjoy an authentic tea ceremony in Uji, a famous tea town known as the birthplace of Japanese tea
20 minutes here · Admission included
Byodoin Temple
Built near the end of the Heian Era, this temple houses a Buddha statue and other images, and is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The temple is registered on the World Heritage List as a part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. An image of this temple's Phoenix Hall is featured on the 10 yen coin
50 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kyoto
Please come to Sunrise Tours Desk, B1F Kyoto Avanti by 8:20am. AVANTI is located directly across from the Hachijo Exit of Kyoto Station.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Tour ends Kyoto Station around 12:30PM.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour may not be able to enter the Phoenix Hall at Byodo-in Temple in case of congestion. In this case, JPY 300 will be refunded at the location
- Public transportation will be used on this tour. All trains have non-reserved seats. Please note that seating is not guaranteed
- This is not a bus tour. Sightseeing will be conducted on foot. Please participate in shoes which are easy to walk in
- The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations
- The tour may be unable to drop by Nakanoshima Park in case of high water level in the Uji River, etc
- The tea ceremony experience may vary betwa een tea-ceremony procedures with matcha green tea and tea-ceremony procedures with sencha green tedepending on the day. Selections may not be made. Also, this may be conducted with other customers
- The tea experience will be held in a tatami room, so please wear socks
- Recording videos is not allowed in the tea room
- Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with tea ceremony. If tea ceremony is required, please make a booking under the child rate
- Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Uji walking tour
Masa was an exceptional guide, pleasant and informative.
via Tripadvisor
Short but pleasene Tea experience.
It was a very nice experience, seeing a part of a tea ceremony. Especially pleasent was the helpful guide, who offered tips on tea leaves and tea bags as well as matcha. Add a pleasent visit to the temple and the morning is well spent.
via Tripadvisor
Landmark on the JPY Yen paper money
Historic architecture is well worth seeing especially in Uji apart from a good green afternoon tea . Highly recommended this landmark for Kyoto tour.
via Tripadvisor
Would not recommend
While the tour guide was lovely, this tour was unfortunately very badly time managed. We arrived at the Byodo-in Temple and were told we only have 15 mins to walk the ground and the museum. We were literally rushed through the museum without any opportunity to stop and look at anything in order to make it for the tour of the Phoenix Hall (which is the paid ticket part). After this, we were supposed to have time to shop in the street before being given a ticket back to Kyoto. When we finished with the Phoenix Hall tour, our guide said that the other participants had to catch a train to Nara and so we (who were not going on to Nara) either had to immediately leave with her or forfeit the train ticket (that was included in the price of the tour). We had no choice but to choose the latter so that we would be able to see more of the Uji street market. Our experience with the tea ceremony was also quite lacking despite our guide saying that she had studied it for 10 years. We were given some information on how to use the bowl and what to do but not much on the background, history and details of the tea ceremony. We felt short changed and would not recommend this tour.
via Tripadvisor
Train ride and quick overview of Uji
Uji is a very nice place to visit. The tour was good, covered a walk along the Uji river, tea ceremony and Byodoin temple. The best part is that the group is small, so easier to get around. The transportation included is a JR train ride. The pace is fast, almost impossible to keep up if you stop to take photos.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Fri
- Price range
- $13500 to $14000
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.
How much does Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto cost?
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Prices start at $13500 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kyoto usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto take?
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Plan for about 4.2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kyoto is not rushed.
Is Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Kyoto, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kyoto can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kyoto and add a light layer if any part of the 4.2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Uji Walking Tour - Byodo-in temple and Tea Ceremony from Kyoto start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kyoto within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kyoto?
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On Outty we rank every Kyoto experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kyoto : Gion Make Your Own Chopsticks with Engraving Option, Award-Winning Authentic Ramen Making Experience in Kyoto, Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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