Uji: 20 Mins from Kyoto, Off the Beaten Path Day Trip! ⛩️🍵 Byodoin Temple & Matcha Snacks 💚

[@Ninjabob42069]

We went to Uji for a day on our last trip, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole trip. Byodoin is absolutely amazing and the town of Uji itself is so charming. Highly recommended for those who need a break from the tourist crush of Kyoto.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ah so glad you enjoyed it! So easy to get to, and Byodoin's just stunning. 😍

[@magidiego3748]

Just returned from our 2.5 week trip! Took a day trip to Uji on a Saturday to avoid crowds in Kyoto. It was a fabulous day! Byodoin is amazing and the museum interesting. We made incense from matcha that is recycled by-product from processing at Eishin-in Temple which is small temple next to the Uji Shrine. It was a great experience. Loved the matcha soba noodles and matcha ice cream we had for lunch as well. And a great place to buy gifts for your friends back home!

[@cakeswithfaces]

That sounds fantastic! The incense making experience sounds really interesting - a unique thing to do and a lovely souvenir!

[@midlifecrisisme6182]

We went to Uji in 2018 - yeah it’s a really nice day trip and Byodoin does deliver!

[@cakeswithfaces]

It's a beautiful temple! And all the better for being calm and spacious!

[@gokaijourney2105]

Went there last year, late March. I did go into the Hall and it was worth the price. The inside was beautiful and there is something about being inside any that old, amazing. The matcha shops were were so cool and I was offered a free tea sample in one shop. Uji is so close to Kyoto but there were so few tourists around. Well worth the visit!

[@cakeswithfaces]

That sounds like a lovely day! So glad you enjoyed it too!

[@swissfoodie3542]

I agree, Uji is a great day trip away from Kyoto. The nintendo factory turned museum sounds like a good reason to return there.

[@cakeswithfaces]

I heard a rumour it might be opening in June this year.

[@logansrun3126]

I visited Uji last year. It’s a great escape from busy Kyoto. Well worth the trip.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Glad you enjoyed it too!

[@tomasso911]

Never heard of Uji before. Looks really nice. I’ll put it on my list if I manage to visit Japan again.

[@cakeswithfaces]

It's a good place to go if you want a break from the crowds at the main touristy places.

[@giovannidelacruz5165]

Cool. Going to visit the Byodo In temple in Oahu this September then visit the original in Japan in November.

[@cakeswithfaces]

It'll be interesting to compare the difference! I'd love to go to Hawaii one day!

[@bravosierra2447]

Thanks for uploading this day trip. I was in such a mad rush in Kyoto I missed Uji. Definitely need to go back for a visit.

[@cakeswithfaces]

There's always more for next time!!

[@Omni0404]

Not many people say say they've drawn a temple for a Japan calendar and then went and visited the temple afterwards! Too cool. I never heard about Uji until now.

[@cakeswithfaces]

There are often times when I wonder what is my life!?! 😅 😂

[@briannotbryan3888]

This was one of my favorite day trips on my vacation. I think I was the only foreigner there at the time. And no crowds!

[@cakeswithfaces]

So glad you enjoyed it too! You don't need to go far to get away from the crowds.

[@Jiskle]

No judgement, I'd have Coco morning noon and night! Uji is on our visit list as well especially since it's so close to Kyoto!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Enjoy!! It's a nice break away to somewhere more chilled.

[@HowellsRus]

Praying the Nintendo museum is open for our trip in October! Thanks for the video

[@cakeswithfaces]

Fingers crossed for you! 🤞

[@AlanVByrnes]

Appreciate more of Kyoto and the helpful tips you give again I’ll keep these in mind always and make notes from you when I come here 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵

[@cakeswithfaces]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@AlanVByrnes]

@@cakeswithfaces always I’m happy to know you and your nice husband online and KZbin and we also can talk about and love Japan!! Excited to learn about more from you coming!! 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵

[@AlanVByrnes]

@@cakeswithfaces 🤖🇯🇵🇬🇧

[@MissiBoo]

Oooh, this has been put on my wishlist ❤ What a relaxing place to visit ⛩️. I bet it looks great in Autumn 🍁🎎 You were very lucky to see Dr Yellow 💛🚅

[@cakeswithfaces]

There are various seasonal flowers at Byodoin too - there's a pergola that's covered in wysteria if you're there at the right time!

[@Buzpud]

Going to be visiting at a similar time next year. Will be adding this to the itinerary:)

[@cakeswithfaces]

Enjoy! It's a great time to go, before the real crowds arrive for cherry blossom season. (Although I went at the same time this year and it was much colder, think we got two extremes of temperature!).

[@Shakespeare3977]

I just love your channel! I can’t say it enough. Thank you so much!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Aww thank you so much, that means a lot!

[@aturouoomura9504]

For a one-day sightseeing route, we recommend going from Kyoto early in the morning to Fushimi Inari, then visiting Uji, and then heading to Nara. This sightseeing route is on the JR Nara Line.

[@cakeswithfaces]

That's a great idea for a route - everything in the same direction in one day.

[@wc9760]

I love Uji. There is one shop on the ometesando that has a roaster making hojicha. It smelled amazing. Btw Coco curry as breakfast is brilliant. Especially if you are in Tokyo staying at the gracery in shinjuku. If you are an early riser the 24 hour Coco there is the best.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Haha, I stayed in the Hotel Gracery recently and visited that Coco a few times! I know the exact one you mean!! 😂😂

[@wc9760]

@@cakeswithfaces 5am katsu curry with veggies. Level 6 spice. Guaranteed to wake you up lol

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@wc9760 😂😂 That's for sure! I'm a level 4 so respect to that!

[@scooterxx6094]

I had already considered Uji before you posted this. Now I think we might skip most of Kyoto and spend two days and a night in Uji. The prices are lower, fewer crowds, and we can probably visit everything without feeling rushed or pressured. I found a cute 120 year old ryokan (¥9,900 each) along the river, just ten minutes walk from Ujikami, and only five minutes from another small and perfectly lovely 13th century temple. Plus being able to eat our body weight in matcha everything.

[@cakeswithfaces]

You'll love it if you like matcha! It's close enough to Kyoto that you can easily go there on the train if you want to.

[@scooterxx6094]

@@cakeswithfaces My current obsession is to avoid every place the Instagram influencers all put on the “Top things you MUST see in Kyoto.” I’d kick myself if I didn’t spend a day or two in Kyoto, but I’m really feeling like Uji is the kinder and gentler version and will give us the feels without the crowds (or without having to go at 5:00 AM on a Monday in January…)

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@scooterxx6094 Yes, getting up at 5am isn't my style either...! :-) Even if can take the perfect photo, I'm not sure if it's worth it!

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Awesome job Amy. We dropped like for you.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you!

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

No problem

[@trutyalinea7169]

Hi, did you reserve a ticket for the entrance fee, or did you just pay upfront in the main gate? Thank you. 😊

[@cakeswithfaces]

I just paid at the gate on the day. It's usually fine to pay on the door at temples & shrines.

[@largesmallworld]

Spent a week exploring Uji visiting locations in the anime K-on & Sound!euphonium. The McDonald's and bakery where Hazuki-chan buys the sausage pastry is also in Uji. Walk the same route as Reina & Kumiko up to Daikichiyama lookout. The Big-boy steak restaurant in K-on is also near the Kyoto Animation office that set on fire by the arsonist. Wanted to give my respects and visit the office but they were doing some work. Don't forget to visit the School from Sound!Euphonium but do this outside school hours and the Uji Tourism office where you can meet some of the cast (well their cardboard cutouts). I also stayed at the Ryoukan that Tomoya and Ushio stayed at in Clannad After Story. It is inexpensive and the room size is large. Highly recommend.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ah I love K-On! Really should watch Sound! Euphonium as I play trombone..! :-)

[@loopyfrog]

wonderful

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you!! ✨

[@bonbondabomb4560]

I love your videos! you show so much detail. I was wondering, I have a phobia of flowers and I'm going to Japan May 26th, do you think the cherry blossom season will be over by then? I really hope so

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks so much! Yes it will definitely be over by then, even if it's late like this year. The blossoms don't last very long, about 2 weeks max.

[@bonbondabomb4560]

that’s good to know, thank you!

[@noronhawarren]

I really like your stamp book and size. Do you have a link to ones you recommend? Looks like thick hard spine books should be avoided so that they can open flat under the press. Also wondering how many pages we would need for a 3 week trip. Im guessing we could collect as many as 5 a day

[@cakeswithfaces]

This is the one I have: nekonekopost.cratejoy.com/shop/product/4724788271 Rainbowholic also has several in her shop (her shop in Tokyo is amazing if you like cute stationery!): rainbowholicshop.com/collections/stamp-collection-notebook Only a few stamps are large machines like in this video; most are regular rubber stamps. I've used my book for two 2 week trips now. Although I didn't find so many on my recent trip. I think it depends what you do, and if you hunt them down and ask for them - I tended to just stamp the ones I happened to come across. Not sure if you saw my video about collecting stamps - it has all the details! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpbQfWysacyEl68

[@londoncreative]

Amy, Is the 'No Sketching' a common thing? I have thought to draw in the temples and places where videos aren't allowed!

[@cakeswithfaces]

No that's an unusual one!! 😅 I'm guessing they just didn't want people sitting in the museum and getting in the way maybe? Temples (and many other places!) would be lovely places to draw!

[@pervykiwi]

Kyoto station was where I was lucky enough to see Dr Yellow.

[@cakeswithfaces]

It was a lucky place for us both! 🤜 🤛

[@Rainbow-nc2ys]

Hi, thanks for sharing. What is the nice booklet for stamp use for? Where can I find it?😅

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks! I have a video all about collecting souvenir stamps in Japan - it makes a lovely souvenir of your trip (and it's free!): kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpbQfWysacyEl68 My stamp book's from Neko Neko Post: nekonekopost.cratejoy.com/shop/product/4724788271

[@davidbliss4800]

The equivalent of Dr. Yellow in the UK is called The Clockwork Banana 😅

[@cakeswithfaces]

Really?! 😂😂 Very different vibe! Interesting that it's also yellow though.

[@マーチン-l5f]

Historical buildings in Japan are constructed of wood,without the use of nails,and have withstood disasters for many years.

[@cakeswithfaces]

It's very impressive!

[@Bakapooru]

Hibike! Euphonium pilgrimage.

[@cakeswithfaces]

I really need to watch that! I loved K-On, and I play trombone...! :-)

[@mPDC-gh8jy]

1:52 The (big) ceramic pot is called 茶壺/"Cha-tsubo" (made from two Kanjis that 茶/Tea and 壺/Pot), and is using to store 碾茶/"Tencha" (leaf tea, before it is ground in a stone mill to make Macha powder) in tea factories and tea wholesalers. ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8C%B6%E5%A3%BA

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks! I always like it when kanji make sense. 🍵

[@mPDC-gh8jy]

​@@cakeswithfaces Relatively smaller ones which you can hold them in your hands are used to container to sell gorgeous high-end Matcha powder even today. www.suigyoku.co.jp/images/material/TG021-m.jpg m1555116.xaas3.jp/images/material/chatubo.jpg

[@AlanVByrnes]

I don’t always mind crowds since it’s always to see everyone enjoying Japan but it can be too sometimes I admit it’s good you have tips on how to avoid that too 🦾🦾🦾

[@cakeswithfaces]

Luckily in Japan people are generally more polite and considerate of others, so crowds can be more bearable at times (no pushing!).

[@AlanVByrnes]

@@cakeswithfaces yes sounds great good to know still a society of people like that and something I can really get to, instead of where I am in Jersey USA where it’s always push and shove and get this before that one does, this where I would like Japan also, 🤍🤍🤍

[@AlanVByrnes]

@@cakeswithfaces appreciate the kind reply, and always great video from you, 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵

[@AlanVByrnes]

@@cakeswithfaces 🤖🇯🇵🇬🇧