A proper tea shop with a long history. We were able to spend a luxurious time in a traditional Japanese house just a short walk from the Uji River, where time seemed to stand still.

Municipal tea room. You can enjoy a tea ceremony with volunteers from the city and a tea master. The ceremony begins with a simple greeting, followed by the first tea, sweets, and then the second tea. During the ceremony, no photos are allowed, but you can take them afterwards. Today was a rare sencha tea ceremony, as usually there are more matcha ceremonies. The first tea was very sweet. It was served at room temperature, which gave it a memorable taste. The atmosphere was not too formal, and we had a good time. It's highly recommended for only 500 yen. Even the children seemed to enjoy their first experience, although sitting seiza was tough.

In February 2018, I visited Uji City and enjoyed some matcha. When in Kyoto's Uji City, there is a shrine you must visit - Uji Shrine. The famous "mikaeri usagi" statue, a rabbit looking back over its shoulder, is adorable and said to have inspired the local place names. The main shrine in the back is a historic building from the Kamakura period. On a snowy day, leaving the shrine and crossing the vermilion-colored bridge can send shivers down your spine. Luckily, I found a tea room nearby, operated by the city. I purchased a ticket for 500 yen and entered. The tea ceremony host changes daily, weekly, or monthly. The tea ceremony costs 500 yen and you are guided in once the previous guests have finished. This time, there were ten of us in the tea room, sitting in seiza style. We patiently waited as the tea was served along with some sweets. I admired the spring-themed design on the tea and enjoyed the casual atmosphere of the experience. It's a great way to enjoy tea without needing a reservation. After a short rest, I headed to Byodoin Temple. Thank you for the meal!

☆ After enjoying some drinks and appetizers at a sake spot in Naka-no-shima to Uji-Fushimi, we headed back to Naka-no-shima station and took the Uji line to Uji! From a sake spot to a tea spot (^-^) I had planned to visit a few tea shops in Uji, but I spent too much time on lunch and ended up with a tight schedule, so I decided to go straight to this tea room from Uji station! This authentic tea room is operated by Uji City and located within the Uji tourist center. We bought a matcha ticket for 500 yen at the tourist center, passed through the gate of the adjacent Taiho-an, and rang a bell. A guide came out and led us to the tea room. There were already 5 other customers inside, so with us, there were 7 people in total. Regardless of the school, a tea master is in charge on a rotating basis. The main customer receives matcha made by the master, while the others are served prepared matcha. We first eat a sweet before drinking the matcha. They teach you the simple etiquette of drinking, so you can feel at ease even if you don't know the etiquette. Avoiding the front, rotating the bowl, making a sound while drinking the foam, wiping the edge where you drank from, rotating back to the front, etc. After that, you can drink at your own pace. You can also take photos in the tea room and with the tea master when you finish. There were also foreign tourists who seemed interested. When I came before, it was a more casual experience with a standing seat, but now it seems like this tea room is the mainstream. I had a valuable experience of enjoying delicious sweets and authentic matcha (*^^*) Thank you for the meal~

Along the Uji River, near the Ajirogi Path, there is a municipal tea house called Daioan. The name "Taioan" comes from its location facing the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin Temple. You can purchase tickets at the attached tourist information center and announce your arrival by ringing a bell. You will be led to a tatami room of about eight mats, where a woman in traditional Japanese attire will warmly welcome you. Witness a formal tea ceremony with graceful and beautiful movements. The seasonal sweet for the day is named "Spring Light of Tea". The design on the serving bowl features Ukifune and Nio, adding a touch of Genji romance. This municipal tea house is a rare find nationwide and highly recommended even for beginners in tea ceremony.

A public tea room called "Taihoan" was set up in the Uji City Tourism Center near Byodoin Temple in Uji City. The Uji City Tourism Center is located on Ajirogi Road, facing a small path. Situated between the Uji River and Byodoin Temple, it has a quiet atmosphere as it is off the main street (it is unclear why they chose to set up the tourism center here). They offer authentic matcha tea and tea sweets. The tea host changes daily. After purchasing a ticket at the tourism center, you exit the information center and head to the tea house across the street. The tea room is a traditional tatami room, which may seem intimidating at first glance, but it is actually quite welcoming. They are open from 10 am to 4 pm, and they are usually open every day except for the New Year holidays. The set menu includes matcha tea and tea sweets provided by the shop. You will be served matcha tea and a traditional Japanese sweet. The tea host for the day was from the Urasenke school (there are different schools of tea ceremony, but it's unclear how they differ). The tea sweet served this time was called "Hanagoromo," a type of molded sweet that looks like mochi covered in pink bean paste. It was easily cut with a toothpick. While I usually enjoy the sweet while drinking tea, the proper way is to first finish the sweet and then enjoy the matcha tea.

I visited the "City-operated Tea Room Taiho-an" again and this time I took some photos. Today, I experienced a tea ceremony with matcha prepared by a Urasenke teacher. The tea sweets were in the shape of morning glories and were called "Uchimizu" by Ochaman. The matcha was smooth, velvety, and had a pleasant temperature, with a taste of umami and slight bitterness that truly captured the essence of tea. It was absolutely delicious! The atmosphere was not imposing with strict etiquette, but rather focused on sharing the deliciousness, enjoyment, and world of tea, making it a very enjoyable experience. Introduction to the "City-operated Tea Room Taiho-an" located near the Byodoin Temple in Uji. Tickets can be purchased at the Uji City Tourist Information Center for 500 yen, and then you can move to the adjacent tea room. The tea ceremony alternates between matcha and sencha, and on this day it was a day for Ogawa-style sencha. After the first and second infusions, we were served tea sweets and then hot water. The tea, despite being a small amount, was incredibly flavorful and delicious! Having tea prepared by teachers from different schools right in front of you in a proper tea room is truly special. It was completely different from the tea I usually drink. The sencha day is rare as most days are for matcha, so it might be considered lucky. The session is for about 10 people and lasts around 20 minutes. You don't need to know the etiquette or dress formally, so you can enjoy authentic tea in a relaxed manner. For those who want to try different types of tea, there are menus for light tea, thick tea, gyokuro, and more. In that case, the tea will be prepared in the back and brought to you. For more information, please visit the Uji City-operated Tea Room Taiho-an page at: http://www.city.uji.kyoto.jp/0000003943.html

After finishing lunch, I was heading towards the parking lot when I noticed a small tea house behind Byodoin Temple where you can enjoy matcha and sweets. It's a quiet building located right next to the tourist information center in Uji. I decided to check it out and found out that it's a tea ceremony experience where a formal tea master prepares the tea for you. I bought a ticket at the tourist information center for 500 yen and made my way to Tsuhoan. It's located right across from Byodoin Temple, hence the name Tsuhoan (opposite of Byodoin). Upon entering, I rang the bell at the entrance and a woman in a kimono guided me to the adjacent tea room. The tea room, managed by Uji City, was about 8 tatami mats in size. The tea master assured me that it's not a strict tea ceremony, so I could relax and enjoy the tea without worrying too much about the etiquette. After enjoying some sweets, the tea master entered and prepared the tea for me. The tea master changes daily and is called from various places in the city. The information about the school, sweets, and tea content is available at the tourist information center, so it's recommended to check before visiting. If you want to learn the proper manners for drinking tea, just ask and the tea master will teach you on the spot. It's a delightful experience to enjoy a formal tea ceremony in a casual setting. After savoring the tea, the tea master neatly arranged the utensils and the session concluded. The graceful movements of the tea master are a sight to behold and even just watching is a learning experience. The whole experience lasted about 10 minutes. It's a great opportunity to enjoy a formal tea ceremony in a relaxed manner, and I would definitely revisit when I come back to Byodoin Temple.

Named "Taiho-an" because it is facing the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin Temple. Different tea ceremony masters take turns hosting tea ceremonies here. It is a traditional tea room where they serve authentic tea, so if you are not familiar with tea ceremony etiquette, it might be a bit intimidating. However, you can honestly say that you are not familiar with it and just enjoy the unique experience. For those who are knowledgeable about tea ceremonies, they provide explanations about the alcove and other details, making it a worthwhile experience for only ¥500. In addition to matcha, they also serve sencha on certain days.

A day trip to Uji. When I visited the tourist center in front of the station, they recommended that since I had come to the tea town of Uji, I should try a matcha experience. I had to buy a seat ticket (500 yen) in advance at the tourist hall next to Taishoan. I was a bit nervous as I don't have much experience with tea ceremonies, but a sophisticated middle-aged woman in a kimono prepared tea for me. I asked if I could take photos, and she kindly allowed it. She took her time to prepare the tea for me, but I was so busy trying to take photos and observe her movements that I regret not just relaxing and enjoying the moment.

You can purchase tickets at the tourist information office in front of the tea room for 500 yen, which includes matcha and Japanese sweets. It is recommended as it offers a more elegant atmosphere than a regular cafe. Inside the tea room, you can enjoy a cup of thin tea while learning about the hanging scrolls, flower arrangements, and tea utensils on display. However, be careful not to drink too much matcha as it can keep you awake at night like coffee.

In Uji, a relatively calm and serene city in Kyoto, I visited the municipal tea house Taishoan. The atmosphere was great, the staff were friendly and professional, and the matcha and sweets were delicious. Highly recommended for a break during your sightseeing in Uji!