My first impression of Uji Shrine was how peaceful and secluded it felt. Compared with the bustling tourist attractions in central Kyoto, it has a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. Once inside the shrine, I was surrounded by greenery, without too many noisy voices, so I could take my time appreciating the shrine buildings and garden scenery. The surroundings naturally made me slow down, and I felt much more relaxed. Although the shrine isn't as grand as a large temple, it has a simple, comfortable beauty, and even casual photos capture the feel of a traditional Japanese shrine.
Uji Shrine | Review by Gina C
Other Reviews by Gina C
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Tsujiri Uji Main Store
Tsujiri Uji Main Store in Uji, Kyoto, is a long-established Uji tea house with more than 165 years of history. Carrying on the tradition of Uji tea, one of Japan’s most famous premium teas, it offers high-quality matcha and tea leaves. It also inherits the spirit of Riemon Tsuji, who contributed to the development of Uji tea in the late Edo period, around the 1850s to 1860s.
Of course, you can’t visit Uji without trying some matcha desserts. This time, I made a special trip to the Tsujiri Uji Main Store and bought some matcha cookies. As soon as I opened the package, I could smell the subtle matcha aroma. The matcha flavor was very rich with each bite—not just sweet, but with the slight bitterness and fragrance unique to matcha. They were sweet without being too rich, and I liked them more and more as I ate them. Anyone who normally likes matcha will probably love them, especially those who enjoy a strong tea aroma!
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Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
Set halfway up Mount Arakura, this shrine was founded in 705 as the local deity of the Arakura district in the Yatsushiro County area of the ancient Kai Province. In 807, following a major eruption of Mount Fuji, an imperial envoy came to offer a ceremony praying for the country's peace and the quelling of the mountain. This occasion doubles as the origin story of the shrine’s title as "San'koku Daiichi Yama" (The Greatest Mountain in the Three Countries) which was gifted by Emperor Heizei, along with the shrine’s iconic red torii gate and imperial scroll written by the Emperor himself.
When we arrived at Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, the first thing that greeted us wasn't the beautiful scenery, but an endless row of stairs! Looking up, the stairs stretched all the way upward, and it really felt like there was no end. At first, I was full of confidence and thought it would be fine if I took it slowly, but before long I was already out of breath, and my legs were getting heavier and heavier. Along the way, I kept telling myself to hang in there a little longer and climb just a few more steps. Still, I couldn't help stopping to rest several times, and I even started to wonder why I had put this on the itinerary.
But since we'd already come this far, of course we had to keep going and make it to the top! When we finally reached the high point, the view instantly made us forget how tired we'd been. Mount Fuji came fully into view in the distance, its majestic shape looking especially spectacular beneath the blue sky. The densely packed houses and streets below, together with the layers of mountains in the distance, created a very beautiful landscape. Standing up high in the gentle breeze and quietly admiring the beauty of Mount Fuji, I couldn't help taking out my phone and snapping photo after photo. I wanted to capture the view from every angle.
This is also a popular photo spot that many people consider a must when visiting the Mount Fuji area. Although the climb up was exhausting, the impact of seeing Mount Fuji right in front of you is truly hard to put into words. All I can say is that beautiful views don't come easily—this one was earned entirely with our own two legs! I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and allowing plenty of time to climb at a leisurely pace. Looking at that long stretch of stairs on the way down, I finally realized just how many we'd climbed, and my legs were already starting to protest!
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Yakatabune Mikawaya
A historic boat house in Shinagawa with over 170 years of history. Enjoy traditional yakatabune boat cruises all year round.
Yakatabune Mikawaya offers a very distinctive traditional sightseeing boat experience in Tokyo. On this trip to Japan, I specifically arranged to take a yakatabune cruise to experience a different side of Tokyo. The boat has a very traditional Japanese appearance, and while onboard, you can enjoy views of the city along the river, which feels completely different from exploring on land. As the boat slowly cruises along, you can take in the riverside scenery and bridges!
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