Byodoin

See, learn, and experience tea through various programs at the lush park and the museum of Chazna in the town of tea, Uji. Get an introduction to the rich history and culture of Uji tea in an easy-to-understand manner through touchable exhibits. Head to the History Room where a huge 10-yen coin with the Byodoin Phoenix Hall will welcome you. Learn about the town and its history with digital exhibitions, including a large 4K HDTV digital screen with modernized townscape drawings or "Meisho-zue". Then, make matcha by grinding tea leaves from a tea mill into a powder. Then, under the guidance of a Japanese tea instructor, learn how to brew matcha, and enjoy your creation.

See the iconic landmarks of Nara and Kyoto in one day with roundtrip transportation from Osaka. Encounter deers at Nara Park, see a grand Buddha statue at Todaiji, stroll through the Uji Matcha street, find peace in natural hot springs, and more. After meeting your driver/guide, head to Nara Park, home to thousands of freely roaming deer, at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa in Nara City. Get some crackers to feed the deer, take a stroll through the urban park, or grab a snack from one of the many tea houses around. Reach the Todaiji Temple or the “Great Eastern Temple”. Discover a priceless trove of history and culture at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. See one of Japan's most famous and historically significant Buddhist temple complexes. Enter the Daibutsuden to see a 15-meter-tall bronze statue of Buddha. Next, head to Uji Matcha Street, a foodie's paradise full of matcha ice cream, matcha cakes, and even soba noodles that are matcha green. Explore the time-honored Matcha stores recommended by your guide at the sacred site of green tea. Finally, make your way to the only natural hot spring in Uji, with water springing from 1111 meters underground. Admire the traditional Japanese architecture and enjoy a moment of relaxation and peace.(if you have tattoo is large, entry into Japanese hot springs is not permitted.)

Explore the nuances of Kyoto's most famous tea-producing area on an intimate tour of Uji with a native or native equivalent English-speaking guide. Learn not only about the intricacies of tea but also the engaging local history. Just a little off the beaten path (around 30-minutes by local train from central Kyoto points such as the Gion or Kyoto Station areas), Uji packs in breathtaking views of the river and mountains. Uji also houses not one, but two UNESCO world heritage sites within a 10-minute walk of each other. All of this, and with far less people than you'd typically find canvassing the well worn paths of central Kyoto. Begin your journey at the world's oldest teahouse still operating since 1160 AD. Learn how one vassal to a famous Samurai warrior became the head of a family that has run the shop for 24 generations. Then, go down the street for a special tea drinking experience with the highest grade green tea. Learn how it's grown and what makes it special before seeing how to brew it and change its flavor profile. Once you've savored a few cups, mix the remaining tea leaves with ponzu sauce and eat them as is. Afterwards, go into the lush green of the mountain to the oldest original Shinto Shrine in Japan that houses Uji's guardian deities - and also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by nature, Ujigami Shrine also houses the last remaining source of natural spring water that many tea houses still collect to brew their tea with. Step inside the stone grotto and purify yourself with the water. From there, cross the majestic river to the pilgrimage path leading to Byodo-in Temple, which is lined with tea shops going back as far as the medieval period. Immerse yourself in the sites and smells of this bustling street. In addition to tea and nature, this tour also features a visit to Byodo-in, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage temple with a superlative, modern museum (admission included), and see how all the dots with the samurai, tea shops, and religion connect at the breathtaking Phoenix Hall. Afterwards, end your tea journey back in nature by exploring Koshoji Temple, which dramatically hugs the mountains and invites you to get in some Zen before wrapping up you day.

Discover the iconic landmarks of Nara and Kyoto on an unforgettable day trip from Osaka! With convenient roundtrip transportation, you'll explore Nara Park, marvel at Todaiji Temple, stroll along Uji Matcha Street, relax in natural hot springs, and much more. Begin your adventure by meeting your friendly driver/guide and heading to Nara Park, nestled at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa in Nara City. Here, you'll encounter thousands of free-roaming deer. Grab some crackers to feed them, take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful park, or enjoy a treat from one of the charming tea houses nearby. Next, visit the awe-inspiring Todaiji Temple, also known as the “Great Eastern Temple.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a treasure trove of history and culture. Step inside the Daibutsuden to gaze upon the magnificent 15-meter-tall bronze statue of Buddha. (Entrance fee not included) Afterward, head to Uji Matcha Street, a haven for food lovers. Indulge in delicious matcha ice cream, matcha cakes, and even matcha-flavored soba noodles. Your guide will recommend the best time-honored Matcha stores at this sacred site of green tea. (At one's own expense) Finally, unwind at the only natural hot spring in Uji, with waters bubbling up from 1111 meters underground. Admire the beautiful traditional Japanese architecture and soak in the serene atmosphere, finding a moment of pure relaxation and peace.（if you have tattoo, entry into Japanese hot springs is not permitted.） Join us for a day filled with culture, history, and delightful experiences!

Immerse yourself in one of Japan's most authentic cultural destinations with an insightful tour of Kyoto. Visit famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto and Uji, with admission to Kinkaku-ji Temple and Byodoin Temple. Meet your guide and begin the drive to Kinkaku-ji. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, take in its rare golden facade. Continue toward Arashiyama and marvel at the natural Bamboo Grove, the majestic Tenryuji Temple, and the charming old streets. Eat lunch at your own expense, then head over to Fushimi Inari Taisha, an iconic Kyoto landmark with thousands of torii gates. Finally, arrive in Uji to explore another outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Site, Byodoin Temple, printed on the back of the Japanese 10 yen coin.

Discover Nara's must-see landmarks on the deluxe coach tour and make Matcha (green tea) by yourself in Uji, Kyoto! In this tour, we will take you to the most famous places in ancient Nara & Kyoto such as Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Byodoin Temple, which are registered as the World Heritage Sites. Let's dive in to the mesmerizing historical sites around Nara and Kyoto! With our friendly English-speaking native guide, enjoy historic landmarks with magnificent views as well as your free time along the way. Departing from Kyoto Station at 8am, a comfortable air-conditioned coach will pass by Fushimi Castle and Heijokyo palace on the way to Nara. First, we will visit Todaiji Temple, a must-see tourist spot in Nara. The center of the Todaiji complex is the Daibutsuden Hall housing the Great Buddha of Nara and it is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. Nara Park is adjacent to the temple, so take a walk through Nara Park and come into contact with Nara's wild deers. You can also give them rice crackers which are sold at roadside stalls and on the way to shrines in Nara Park. When you feed them, they may give you a lovely bow! Next, we will head to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Do not miss the 3,000 stone lanterns; you will find them magical. After exploring Nara, we will visit Uji area which is the home of matcha. Then, you have lunch break. Guests who booked the tour with "lunch option" will enjoy a Japanese lunch. Next, we will visit Byodoin Temple, well-known for its Phoenix Hall which is depicted on 10 yen coins. It is also registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. After sightseeing at Byodoin Temple, let's try making Uji Matcha from scratch! Matcha is powder of finely ground green tea leaves. In Japan, in addition to the use for tea ceremonies, it is widely used in making sweets and cooking. Matcha that you make by yourself will taste special. Near Matcha place, you will find many small shops, restaurants, and other attractions, so you can buy souvenirs there. After the matcha experience, the tour bus takes you back to Kyoto Station. The tour includes commentary from both our friendly tour guide and a multilingual audio guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Ukrainian. The coach has an antibacterial coating and is regularly ventilated. Enjoy the tour on a comfortable air-conditioned with free Wi-Fi.

Green tea fans will love our tour to the town of Uji in Kyoto–the home of Matcha. A trip to Uji will give you many chances to experience and taste Matcha and other types of green tea in a variety of beverages and foods. The green tea and matcha (powdered green tea) produced here in Uji are famous for their quality not only in Japan but also all over the world. Also while visiting Uji you can see the gorgeous and famous Byodoin temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. During our Uji tour we will sit down for a fantastic set lunch, and we will have a chance to experience making and drinking tea. If you find teas that you like, you will have time to choose, purchase, and take home some delicious memories of your tour.

After meeting your driver/guide in Osaka, let's head out to Nara for our journey. Main Attractions: ▼Nara Park Nara Park, where thousands of deer inhabiting to welcome tourists from all over the world, is located at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa in Nara City. Please get close to the deer with some crackers, then stroll leisurely through the fairytale urban park to enjoy the unique beauty. ▼Todaiji Temple & Kasuga Shrine The Todaiji Temple or the “Great Eastern Temple” is a sight shouldn't be missed in Nara. Visit one of Japan's most well-known and historically significant Buddhist temple complexes. Enter and watch the 15-meter-tall bronze statue of Buddha with extreme majesty. What's more, explore a priceless trove of history and culture at this UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can capture the iconic red Torri gallery. It's time for you to taste recommended lunch. ▼Uji Matcha Experience Uji Matcha Street, a foodie's paradise full of various Matcha products, including ice cream, cakes, and even soba noodles that are in Matcha green. Here are many time-honored Matcha stores recommended by your guide for you to explore! If time permits, you can also choose some of the nearby recommended attractions to visit, which will not let you down. ▼Onsen As the only natural hot spring in Uji, with water springing from 1111 meters underground, it provides you the best space to remove tiredness. You can not only enjoy a moment of relaxation but admire the traditional Japanese style architecture.（if you have tattoo is large, entry into Japanese hot springs is not permitted.） After such memorable trip, let's back to Osaka.

In the morning, our professional driver will meet you at the door of your hotel to start your journey. Kyoto is one of the oldest cities in Japan, and as the ancient capital in Japanese history, it carries a rich cultural heritage, with more than 2,000 temples and shrines, including 17 stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here, you can feel the charm of traditional Japanese culture. First we will visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, where a long corridor of thousands of Torii Shrine gates, a bright red tunnel along the mountain path, is an amazing experience. If we have enough time, we will head to the Sanjusangendo, a less tourist-hit treasure spot that is the longest wooden structure in Japan and houses a stunning collection of 1,001 golden Guanyin statues. In the afternoon, we will head to Uji. Uji City, located in the southern part of Japan's Kyoto Prefecture, is an ancient city steeped in history and cultural essence. It is famous for its World Heritage sites - Ujigami Shrine and Uji Shrine, and is also the cradle of Japanese tea ceremony art, and is honored as the "Tea capital of Japan". The Uji Bridge, which spans Uji River, is not only a landmark of the city, but also an elegant link between the scenery on both sides. Located next to the Uji Shrine, the Ujigami Shrine worships the patron saint of Japanese tea culture, making it an important shrine for exploring the spirit of Japanese tea ceremony. The Byodoin Temple, as a model of the architectural art of the Heian Period, has a dignified and solemn sitting statue of Amida Buddha, and the Phoenix Hall is the focus of photography enthusiasts. Uji Park is a combination of natural beauty and human landscape, whether it is the blooming of cherry blossoms in spring, or the burning of red leaves in autumn, the seasons are different. In Uji City, visitors can not only taste authentic matcha desserts and exquisite Japanese tea banquet, such as Uji Matcha ice cream, matcha cake and other world-famous delicacies, but also see the charm of traditional crafts such as Uji Yaki and Uji tea sets, which are treasures during the trip. At this point, our trip will come to an end and we will return to Kyoto. If you have enough time, we will first head to the Nishiki Market, a narrow market located in the center of the city, where you will experience a variety of traditional food, but also can buy exquisite hand gifts. If there is little time left, we will take you to the antique Sannenzake and Ninenzake, then walk to the famous Geisha area - Gion District, where you can hanging around until the evening and enjoy the rich Japanese culture. Our trip will also end here, and we hope you will have good memories.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the historical splendor of Byodoin Temple in Uji, a masterpiece of Japanese architecture and Buddhist faith. Built over 1,000 years ago, Byodoin Temple is renowned for its grand wooden structure and intricate design, reflecting the opulence of the aristocratic culture and Buddhist beliefs of its time. Your adventure begins with a visit to Byodoin Temple, where you'll marvel at the Phoenix Hall, an architectural gem that embodies the spiritual belief of the Pure Land of Amida Buddha. The temple’s western orientation symbolizes the direction of the afterlife, and within its serene hall sits a majestic statue of Amida Buddha, symbolizing hope and salvation. After absorbing the historical and spiritual significance of Byodoin, the tour continues to the vibrant streets surrounding the temple, famous for their green tea and tea-infused sweets. Uji, a region celebrated as Japan's premier green tea producer, offers an array of delicious tea treats that will tantalize your taste buds. As you explore the area, you’ll encounter a variety of tea sweets, from traditional favorites to innovative new creations. Experience the unique flavors and textures of Uji’s green tea confections, available at both historic establishments and trendy, Instagram-worthy spots. This tour is ideal for those who wish to blend cultural enrichment with a culinary adventure. Enjoy the timeless beauty of Byodoin Temple and indulge in the delectable world of Uji’s green tea sweets.