Byodo-in Temple & Tea Plantation

Get a glimpse of lushly landscaped paradise in Byodoin Temple, gain authentic experiences of making tea in a tea workshop in Uji, and cross Japanese’s longest wooden bridge to reach Yawata Nagarebashi Community Plaza. All are waiting for you on this 6-hour shore trip to Uji.

Full Itinerary

Upon arrival at the port, your driver and guide will welcome you to start the shore excursion to the first place, Byodo-in Temple. This World Heritage Site on the west bank of the Uji River is on a strove of designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The temple grounds are a lushly landscaped paradise nestled in a cleft of the pali and are the home to wild peacocks and hundreds of Japan koi carp. The beautiful grounds include a large reflecting pond, meditation niches, and small waterfalls which creates a peaceful and restful atmosphere.

Nearby, take a short walk from Byodoin Temple to a public tea house which offers visitors the opportunity to participate in an authentic tea ceremony at a very reasonable price. You will first learn how to make tea powder from tea leaves. Then you take some hands-on activities such as matcha grinding classes, in which participants can learn how to prepare their own tea. The experience concludes with a tasting session whereby you can enjoy tea made from the ingredients that you have prepared before. It will take about 40-50 minutes for this experience. Then, you will take an approximately 30-minute drive to a Tea Plantation to learn more about their tea history and ceremony.

Afterward, you pay a visit to Yawata Nagarebashi Community Plaza, the facility features exhibits about the history and structure of the drifting bridge, a direct sales store of fresh vegetables, a public bath called Shiki-no-yu (Spa of the Seasons), etc. You will cross Nagarebashi bridge, the Japanese longest linden bridge of 356.5m in total length. This name comes from that it is designed so that bridge girder flows to reduce resistance at the time of flooding. Trip ends at a leisure time and ready for your departure at the port.