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Japan

Uji.

Uji, and the odour of roasting Tea.

Uji.
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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.0 miles / 9.6 km
Duration: Half day
Family Friendly
 
Overview: The first odour your olfactory senses will experience, upon arrival at Uji,will be the smell of roasting tea. Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408) promoted the cultivation of Green Tea in the Uji area. Since that time Uji has been an important production and distribution centre of superior quality Green Tea.
The final chapters of "The Tale of Genji", what is considered the worlds first novel, written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, are set in Uji, attracting literature buffs from all around the world.Evidence of this masterpiece can still be seen in-and-around Uji - The Tale of Genji Statue and Bridge, and The Tale of Genji Museum, both worth the visit.
Visitors are also attracted to Uji for it's centuries-old historic sites, which include many Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples. Among the most famous are the Ujigami Shrine (built in 1060) and the Byodo-in Temple (built in 998), both which are listed as U.N.E.S.C.O. "World Heritage Sites".
This course I am promoting as a stroll through history.You will get to visit some historic Shrines and Temples, as well as taking-in the Tale of Genji Museum. Then it will take you through the "Green Belt",to the Mt Daikichi lookout point, where you will have a birds-eye view of Uji and it's environs ( an ideal place to have lunch), before descending to the Uji-gawa (Uji River), via Kosho-ji Temple, and onto the Amagase Dam. Then it's back along the Uji-gawa, where you will cross Asagiri and Tachibana bridges, and onto Byodo-in Temple. From here you will stroll through the Uji shopping area, and the odour of roasting tea, before ending at the Tale of Genji Statue and Bridge.

Tips: Regardless of where you are staying, Uji is very accessible. There are two rail companies that service Uji - Japan Rail, via the Nara Line, and Keihan, via the Uji Line.If you are coming via J.R, you need to change trains at Nara City or Kyoto City. On Keihan, regardless if you are coming from Osaka or Kyoto, you need to change at Chushojima Station.
The area is well-signposted.There are small maps posted around the area, showing your current location, places of interest plus a description of the site you are about to visit.Also the trail is dyed in light-brown, with steel plaques inlaid to guide you to your next destination.
Any time of year, is a good time to visit Uji. But around Autumn (October - December), with the many colours that are abound at this time of year, and Spring (April-May), you will get to experience "Cherry Blossom" viewing.Check-out the attached link for any festivals that may be about to take place. Being in town, at this time, will add to your enjoyment.
Food-wise, I would suggest you load some snacks and drinks into your pack, to enjoy at the many rest-stops along the way. Then, when you have reached your goal, take-in one of the many restaurants and cafes situated within the Uji shopping area.At the Tale of Genji Bridge, there is a shop that sells Green Tea soft-freeze. Just the tonic after your hike.

Points of Interest

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Keihan Railways, Uji Station.
Keihan Uji station, is the terminus for the Uji Line. It runs from Shuchojima-to-Uji, and you change here to get to-and-from Osaka and Kyoto.
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Japan Rail (J.R.) Uji Station.
J.R. Uji station, on the J.R. Nara Line, runs between Kyoto and Nara.Allowing you access to-and-from anywhere in the region.
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The Tale of Genji Bridge.
This is the Start/Finish of this trail. Notice the shops selling green-tea snow-freeze. Just the tonic after your walk.
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Mimuroto-ji Temple.
Mimuroto-ji Temple has been included, on this tour, for it's very-beautiful gardens.The complex itself is picturesque, as it is nestled in amongst a mountain.
The temple is a very-popular destination for devotees of this sect of Buddhism.
There is an admittance charge of ￥500.
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Sekibutsu - Stone carving of Buddha.
I am unable to give you a name for this monument.The purpose of including it is to let you know that you are still on the right trail.
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The Tale of Genji Museum.
Admittance to the museum is ￥500 and you are given a set of headphones to listen to commentary, as you wonder through the different rooms/exhibits.
The library allows you to peruse through the many books and magazines with information on the "Tale of Genji".
There is also a cafe allowing you to refresh before you continue to your next destination.
The surrounding gardens are also worth a look.
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Tokai Nature Trail to Mt Daikichi Lookout.
I like "green belt" walks. With the city surrounding you, it is good to get a taste of the forest and the outdoors.
Here is an opportunity to take a break, take-in the sounds of the forest and it's beauty, before continuing.
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Mt Daikichi Lookout.
Here is an opportunity to get-your-bearings with a panoramic view overlooking Uji and it's environs.
From this vantage point you can see the Tale of Genji bridge, Byodo-in Temple, Hakusan Shrine (partly obscured amongst the forest, and the Uji central business district.
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Byodo-in Temple, from Mt Daikichi lookout.
From here you get a good idea of the size that the Byodo-in complex covers.
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Hakusan Shrine.
Hakusan Shrine, set in amongst the forest, makes a good backdrop to the Azalea in the foreground.
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Kosho-ji Temple.
After your zig-zag descent from Mt Daikichi, you pass Kosho-ji Tempe.
Built in 1648, by the Daimyo ( a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lord in pre-modern Japan )of Yoda, Nagai Naomasa (1587 - 1668).
The temple is mentioned in the last 10-chapters of the Tale of Genji.
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Tori. Entrance to Kosho-ji Temple.
You have now arrived back, after your stroll through the green belt, to civilisation.
From here, if you are running-short of time and energy, you can pass-up on the 3km hike to-and-from the Amagaze Dam, and continue on with the trail.
Although, in saying that, it is a nice stroll upstream along the Uji-gawa, and the dam itself is quite spectacular.
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Amagase Dam.
The Amagase dam's main purpose is flood protection, although it does have a small electricity generation unit. This is the main river, taking water from Lake Biwa (Japan's largest lake), to Osaka Bay.
If you want to take a closer look, continue over the bridge, and follow the road up the hill. There is an observation point, overlooking the dam,that also allows you a view upstream and downstream.
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Tori. Entrance to Ujigami Shrine.
The present main structure, and the lion-like Komainn Statues, were erected in the Kamakura Period (1185 - 1333).
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Ujigami Shrine.
Ujigami shrine is a U.N.E.S.C.O. "World Heritage" site.
The main shrine, built in the Heian Period (794 - 1185), is said to be the oldest shrine in Japan.
The spring, situated at the right-hand side of the front shrine, is one of the seven famous waters of Uji. Even today, tea-ceremonies are held using this water.
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A Tale of Genji Statue and Asagiri Bridge.
Across the bridge, and onwards to the Jusanju Sekito and Byodo-in Temple.
As you cross the bridge, you get a good look upstream and downstream, and views either side of the Uji-gawa.
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Jusanju Sekito and Tachibana Bridge.
Jusanju Sekito ( Stone Pagoda), makes a great site, with the Tachibana Bridge in the foreground.
The area, on the right of the photo, is what I refer to as "Souvenir Alley". As you are close to Byodo-in Temple, there are plenty of souvenir shops to tempt the tourist. In Japan it is customary to purchase souvenirs to take home to family and friends.
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Uji Information Centre.
Just behind, where this photo was taken, is the Uji information centre.
Looking upstream, towards the Tachibana bridge, you can see water-craft that will take you for a short cruise while serving Japanese tea.
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Byodo-in Temple.
Byodo-in temple was originally built as a rural villa for Fujiwara Michinaga, a powerful regent in this area,and was then converted into a temple, by his son, Fujiwara Yorimichi, in 1052.
Byodo-in temple was listed as a U.N.E.S.C.O. "World Heritage" site in 1994.
There is an admittance fee of ￥600. Take your time to stroll around the gardens,museum and temple. It will be time well spent.
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Small Shrine.
I was unable to find a name for this shrine. The purpose of including this photo, is to assure you that you are on the right track.
From this point, to the Tale of Genji bridge, you will pass some tea-houses that roast their own tea.
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The Tale of Genji Statue.
You are meters away from completing your 360-degree stroll around Uji, and what better location, to relax with a cold drink, than the statue with bridge in the background.
Before your departure, take a stroll down the street in front of you (route 15), through the shopping district of Uji.There are plenty of restaurants/cafes to wet your appetite and search for that omiyage (souvenir) to take home.
Pictures in this guide taken by: theoutdoorholic, scude
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About the Author

theoutdoorholic
theoutdoorholic
18 guides
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Hi, my name is Barry, and I am an "outdoorholic".I come from Aotearoa / New-Zealand and, when I lived...

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