The home of green tea in Japan, the small town holds a traditional tea-jar opening ceremony on the first Sunday in October each year. Located just between Kyoto and Nara, Uji has long been famous for producing high quality green tea. Originally imported from China in the 700s, it did not become popular across Japan for a few hundred years, as it was first given to the nobility. The ceremony begins with water being drawn from the Uji river before the ceremonial tea jar is presented at Koshoji temple and the process begins. The ceremony is brought to a close when the tea is presented to the Buddha effigy.
This is a small and quiet ceremony which offers memorial to the men who contributed so much to the tea industry of Uji. Special tickets for tea ceremony are available for ¥2,500 yen in advance or ¥3,000 on the day but the water drawing etc can be seen for free.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.- 1.2 km from Uji Station Nara Line (D9)
