Beyond Uji: Wazuka Tea Fields, Shojuin Temple & Uji Private Day Tour
Leave Kyoto’s crowds behind and discover the true home of Uji tea, a mountain temple with a heart-shaped window, and Uji’s World Heritage landmark.
Fixed price from
¥43,000 per vehicle · 10-hour private day · up to 5 passengers
Price is for the whole car with driver, not per person. Hiace van (up to 9 passengers): ¥48,000. You see the exact total before you pay.
The day at a glance
- Service time10 hours, private
- PickupYour hotel in Kyoto (about 8 hours) or Osaka (about 9–10 hours)
- AreaWazuka → Ujitawara → Uji (Kyoto)
- BookingOnline, ¥500 deposit or pay in full
About this tour
Travel by private vehicle into the lesser-known tea country of southern Kyoto. Begin in Wazuka, where tea plantations sweep across the hills around Ishitera, then sample locally grown tea and sweets at Wazuka Tea Cafe. Continue to peaceful Shojuin Temple, celebrated for its heart-shaped Inome Window and colorful ceiling paintings. Complete the day in Uji with Byodoin Temple, the Uji River, and the historic tea-shopping streets.
This route combines iconic Kyoto culture with rural scenery that is difficult to reach efficiently by public transportation. It is ideal for guests interested in Japanese tea, photography, traditional architecture, and relaxed travel.
Suggested itinerary
- Hotel pickup
- Ishitera Tea Fields in Wazuka
- Wazuka Tea Cafe and lunch
- Shojuin Temple
- Byodoin Temple
- Uji River and historic tea streets
- Hotel drop-off
Stops on this tour
Ishitera Tea Fields, Wazuka
Wazuka is one of the principal producing areas of Uji tea. Around Ishitera, rows of tea plants curve across steep hillsides, creating one of Kyoto Prefecture’s most distinctive rural landscapes. Enjoy the views from public observation areas and village paths. The plantations are private farmland, so visitors must not enter cultivated areas without permission.
Wazuka Tea Cafe
A welcoming local stop featuring teas grown by Wazuka farmers, matcha desserts, and regional gifts. Sample sencha, matcha, or seasonal sweets and browse single-origin teas from different estates.
Shojuin Temple
A quiet mountain temple in Ujitawara, best known for its heart-shaped Inome Window and a ceiling decorated with colorful flower paintings. The inome is a traditional Japanese motif associated with protection from evil and good fortune.
Byodoin Temple
Uji’s best-known UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Phoenix Hall reflected in Aji Pond is also the image featured on Japan’s 10-yen coin. The standard visit includes the garden and Hoshokan Museum. Entry to the interior of Phoenix Hall is capacity-controlled and subject to same-day availability.
Uji River and Historic Tea Streets
Stroll beside the Uji River and through the historic neighborhood surrounding Byodoin. Along Byodoin Omotesando, guests can enjoy matcha and roasted-tea desserts or shop for tea to take home.
Vehicles and prices
| Vehicle | Capacity | Fixed price, 10-hour day |
|---|
| Alphard minivan | Up to 5 passengers
4–5 standard suitcases | ¥43,000 |
| Hiace van | Up to 9 passengers
8–9 standard suitcases | ¥48,000 |
Larger groups: contact us and we will quote a Coaster minibus or a combination of vehicles.
How booking works
- Choose your date. Open the booking page, enter your pickup address and date. The fixed price for your date appears in seconds.
- Reserve. Pay a ¥500 deposit to hold the vehicle, or pay in full. Your price is locked once you accept.
- Meet your driver. About 3 days before the trip you get a confirmation email, and your driver contacts you on WhatsApp on the day.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Kyoto private day tour?
The fixed price is ¥43,000 for an Alphard minivan (up to 5 passengers) and ¥48,000 for a Hiace van (up to 9 passengers). The price is per vehicle for the whole day, not per person. Peak-season dates can carry a surcharge, and the exact price for your date is shown before you pay.
Can I start from Osaka?
Yes. The tour is priced as a 10-hour charter and can start from a Kyoto or Osaka hotel. From Kyoto it takes about 8 hours; from Osaka about 9–10 hours.
Can I go inside the Phoenix Hall at Byodoin?
Interior entry is capacity-controlled and decided by same-day availability, so we cannot guarantee it. The garden and Hoshokan Museum are part of the standard visit.
Can I change the route?
The stops above are the suggested itinerary. If you would like something different, enter your request when you ask for a price, or contact us at info@pick-u-exchange.jp.
How do I pay and what is the cancellation policy?
You can reserve with a ¥500 deposit or pay in full online when you confirm your booking. Cancellation: free more than 2 days before departure, 20% fee 1–2 days before, and no refund within 24 hours of departure.
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