Uji Matcha Sweets: Sweet Delights of the Tea Town

Uji matcha sweets are matcha filled treats born in Uji, one of the foremost tea towns of Japan. Tea making in Uji is said to date back to the Kamakura era, and fine matcha has been nurtured over its long history. The parfaits, jellies, and soft serve made by long established tea houses harmonize a rich bitterness with sweetness beautifully.

Highlights

• The matcha parfait is a dish full of matcha jelly, soft serve, and bean paste
• Enjoy the sweets alongside a cup of matcha prepared by a long established tea house
• Settings that pair with historic scenery such as the Uji River and Uji Bridge

Enjoying the Seasons

Early summer, the season of new tea, is when Uji is at its liveliest. You can enjoy the fresh aroma of new tea, while summer brings chilled matcha shaved ice and the colder months bring warm matcha sweets, so the flavors shift through the year.

Access and Basic Information

• Area: long established tea houses and cafes gather along the Uji Bridge shopping street, beside the Uji River, and on the approach to Byodoin.
• Access: within walking distance of JR or Keihan Uji stations. From Kyoto Station you can reach Uji on the JR Nara Line.
• Budget guide: matcha parfaits and shaved ice run roughly from around one thousand yen, while takeaway sweets and tea leaves start from a few hundred yen.
• Format: sit and eat at a tea room, or buy tea and sweets as souvenirs from the shop.

Practical Travel Notes

• Popular long established tea rooms can have long lines or numbered ticket systems, mainly on weekends. The morning right after opening or a weekday is a good target.
• The summer shaved ice season is especially crowded. Leave time to spare and plan for a wait.
• Combining matcha sweets with a visit to the World Heritage Byodoin makes even a half day in Uji full and satisfying.
• Some shops let you experience preparing authentic matcha. Trying it alongside the sweets deepens your appreciation.
• Securing time for a leisurely walk along the Uji River and to Ujigami Shrine lets you tour comfortably.

A Quick Tip

Popular shops can form lines, so the early morning is a good target. Combining a visit with Byodoin and a stroll along the Uji River makes for a full and satisfying day.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Best season: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' "Our Local Cuisine," Uji kintoki is served year-round at cafes and restaurants, but it is a sweet especially enjoyed in summer.
• A public facility where you can try it: Uji City's municipal tea house Taihoan (opposite Byodoin) / 10:00-16:00, open from January 10 to December 20. Usucha (thin matcha) costs 1,500 yen, and a matcha tea-making experience costs 3,600 yen (both including tax). It is closed on the last day of every month for facility maintenance.
• How to use it: Make a reservation in advance, and on the day exchange it for a tea ceremony ticket at the Uji City Tourist Center (tel. 0774-23-3334), directly in front of Taihoan.
• A facility for learning: Chazuna, the Tea and Uji Town History Park (203-1 Todo Maruyama, Uji City), is open 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30) and never closes. It is right by Uji Station on the Keihan Line and a 12-minute walk from JR Uji Station.

* Opening hours and prices at individual shops vary from shop to shop.

(Sources: Uji City Tourism Association official website "Taihoan," Uji City official website "Uji City Tourist Center," Chazuna, the Tea and Uji Town History Park official website, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries "Our Local Cuisine: Uji Kintoki (Kyoto Prefecture)")

Information Sources

This article is compiled from tourism information for Kyoto Prefecture and information published by each shop. Prices, menus and seasons are subject to change, so please check each shop's official information for details.

Sightseeing Checklist

• Budget guide: Parfaits and sweets range from several hundred yen to the low thousands
• Where to eat it: Tea houses and sweet shops in Uji and central Kyoto City
• Best time of day: Snack time, as a break during sightseeing in Uji
• Avoiding the crowds: Popular shops can have queues; mornings and weekdays are your best bet
• Combine it with: Tasting and comparing matcha, the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin, a stroll along the Uji River, and tea leaves as a souvenir