There are many attractive places in Kyoto that are not well known. It's fun to search for small but beautiful shrines and temples, the profile of a town that is steeped in traditional Japanese culture, and spectacular views of rich nature that you'll want to add to your list of favorites.
This time, we will introduce the charms of the Uji area, which is located next to Kyoto City. In addition to historical buildings such as the World Heritage Site "Byodo-in" and Japan's oldest shrine building "Ujigami Shrine," there are also trendy sweets shops that you should stop by during your walk, as well as Fucha cuisine unique to Uji. , a moment that can only be found here.

A treasure trove of hidden power spots in the city of Heian culture and Uji tea.

After about a 30-minute train ride from Kyoto, you'll arrive at Uji Station, a place associated with The Tale of Genji and the production area of ​​Uji tea. The Uji River, which also appears in The Tale of Genji, flows through the center of the city, and the charming Uji Bridge, one of Japan's three oldest bridges, hangs over it. In the cityscape where Heian culture remains, you will find Ujikami Shrine, Japan's oldest shrine building, and the Heian period regent Fujiwara no Yorimichi, who sought to recreate his dream of the Pure Land in this world. There are famous shrines such as the magnificent temple ``Byodoin''.

There is also ``Manpukuji Temple'' full of exotic atmosphere, ``Mimurotoji Temple'' which is the 10th temple of the Saigoku Kannon Sacred Site, also known as ``Temple of Flowers'', and ``Shojuin Temple'' with its heart-shaped window ``Inomemado''. , there are also unique and attractive shrines and temples, so be sure to stop by. Another place you should visit from May to June is the Uji City Botanical Park. There is a waterway here that has been designated as a firefly viewing area, where you can see Genji fireflies and experience the atmosphere of old Japan.

Furthermore, since Uji tea is produced in the city, there are many long-established tea merchants and tea shops in the city, and long lines can be seen every day. Did you know that small but unique cafes have recently been attracting attention?

This cafe is located in a renovated old folk house and a detached house, and has an attractive space and taste that the owner has carefully chosen. Not only sweets made with matcha, but also sweets made with plenty of seasonal fruits, puddings made with carefully selected ingredients, and carefully brewed coffee, the space is both appealing and unique. In addition, we will introduce four restaurants that serve fucha cuisine unique to Uji.

Uji/Ujigawa area

An old folk house cafe with a small garden in the Byodo-in area
Happy birthday

The cute visuals of the cube sandwiches and parfaits made with chiffon cake and plenty of seasonal fruits are sure to look great on social media.
In between your walks, it would be nice to stop by and take a breather at a small shop in a renovated townhouse.

Happy birthday

144 Uji Myoraku, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
Business hours 11:00-17:00 (LO 16:30)
Regular holidays: Wednesdays and Thursdays (some irregular holidays)

Relax at a relaxing cafe while looking out at the Uji River
Cafe Consola

The cafe "Consola" located along the Uji River is located in a detached house with a calm interior and a magnificent view overlooking the Uji River, lined with antique furniture. I hear that the restaurant's name, Consola, comes from the French word "Consolateur" (healing), and as the name suggests, the scenery, the food, the sweets, and the time that passes there all gently envelop us and soothe us. It seems so.

The cafe on the second floor is open from morning, so it's a good place to stop by during your morning walk. Of course, there is also an attractive menu for lunch and dessert. "Margherita Tartine" is made with coffee jelly made with coffee beans used for iced coffee, homemade custard pudding, and homemade consola bread. In addition, recipes using seasonal ingredients such as limited-time parfaits and jewel sodas will be appearing one after another, so keep your eyes peeled.
The inside of the restaurant is calm and lined with antique furniture, and dogs are welcome at the terrace seats, so you'll want to enjoy it with your dog.

Cafe Consola

55-7 Ujimatafuri, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
Business hours Thursday and Friday 11:00-15:00 Saturday and Sunday 10:00-16:00
Closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Uji/Obaku area

A café/gallery in a renovated cowshed that you'll want to go out to
Motogyusha

Uji, Kyoto A short drive into the mountains from the city center is the Suminoyama area, where you will find Kigyusha, a store that sells everyday utensils, utensils, and a cafe in a renovated former cowshed. The scenery is completely different from that of the city, and it is a space where you can feel the slow change of seasons just by placing yourself here. Although it is a little far from the city, it is a cafe worth visiting.
Since the owner is an artist, the interior design and gallery, as well as the tableware used in the cafe, have great taste. Above all, the cafe itself is a piece of art that is integrated with nature.

The lunch menu includes home-style plates using loin pork cutlet similar to Nakasei's, as well as open-faced sandwiches made with homemade bread, which will warm your heart even more.

After your meal, take a leisurely look at the gallery, take a walk around the area, and experience the nature and breeze. There is a parking lot at the store, but there is also a cycle rack in front of the store, so it's fun to stop by by bike.

Basic cowshed

44 (or 40) Sumiyayama Yoro, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
Cafe open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (Thursday, Friday, and holidays)
Business hours 11:00 – 16:30 (Limited lunch until 15:00)
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

*For use by elementary school students and above.

Have a special time enjoying vegetarian cuisine introduced from China.
Manpukuji Temple, the head temple of the Obaku sect

Manpukuji is the main temple of the Obaku sect, one of Japan's three Zen sects. It was founded in 1661 by Zen Master Ingen Ryuuki, who came to Japan from Fujian Province, China. Because of its history, this place is said to have a Chinese feel or an exotic feel.
Zenji Ingen is said to have introduced various cultures and customs from the continent and brought Sencha culture to Japan, as well as green beans, watermelon, lotus roots, and bamboo shoots (Mosochiku).

When you come to Manpuku-ji Temple, you should definitely make a reservation for the ``Fucharyori''. This is a vegetarian cuisine brought from China by Ingen Zenji, and the word ``fucha'' comes from the fact that it means ``to serve tea with the masses.'' The dish is prepared with natural products from the mountains and fields of Japan, and is a dish that all people can use to repay the blessings of Buddha, so four people are seated at one table, with no distance between the top and bottom, and the food is served in a harmonious atmosphere. The etiquette of fucha is to eat without leaving any leftover food.

In Zen Buddhism, there is a verse called ``Gokan-noge,'' which is recited before meals, and eating a meal is also part of the training. With that in mind, we want you to enjoy the 300-plus-year-old tradition and flavor, which has a simple and ethereal Zen flavor.

Manpukuji Temple, the head temple of the Obaku sect

34 Gokasho Sanbanwari, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
Opening hours 9:00-17:00 *Reception until 16:30
Admission fee: 500 yen for adults, 500 yen for university and high school students, 300 yen for junior high and elementary school students

fucha cuisine
Business hours 11:30-14:30 (lunch only)
Closed due to year-end and New Year holidays, Obon holidays, various events, etc.
Regular holiday Irregular holiday
Inquiries: 0774-32-3900 (Reception hours 9:00-16:30)
*Reservations must be made until noon three days in advance.