Heian Exploration Map

Visit Uji to experience the authentic
Heian Era beyond a thousand years.

It takes approximately half a day to reach the town of Uji from
Kyoto by an oxcart. It is said that the former capital of Nara was
reached by going south of Ogura pond, which stretched to the
south of Kyoto, and passing through Uji bridge. Uji was a key
transportation hub. The scenery of the mountains, flowing rivers,
and bridges over the river were extraordinary and were loved by
Heian aristocracy, so many villas were built there. Even now,
buildings and roads related to the Heian Period exist in the town.
Uji is also known as the setting for the last ten chapters of the Tale
of Genji. Why not visit the shrines and temples of Uji to seek the
remnants of Heian culture and history?

The Heian Period Neighborhood-District
／ Ten Chapters of Uji

The Heian Period Neighborhood-District

The area around the west bank of the Uji river began in the Heian
period when Fujiwara Michinaga acquired Uji villa, and the
development of the town began in earnest around the time of his
son Fujiwara Yorimichi was present. The current town has a
triangular shape, with grid patterns laid out in the Heian period
and new roads were made when the town was rebuilt after it was
destroyed due to the wars in the Nanbokucho period.

Ten Chapters of Uji

The last ten chapters of "The Tale of Genji" are
called "The Ten Uji Chapters" because their
primary setting is in Uji. The story shifts its
setting to Uji, and the main characters change
to Kaoru, who is said to be the son of Hikaru
Genji, and Niou, his grandson, representing
the next generation. Appropriate locations
corresponding to each of the Ten Uji Chapters
have been designated, and around Uji Bridge,
there are ten stone monuments built in the
early Showa period, each dedicated to one of
these chapters.

Let's Go Feel the Real Heian Era！
Heian Exploration Map

AByodoin Temple

The villa owned by Fujiwara no Michinaga in Uji was called the Uji Dono, and
when he stayed in Uji, many banquets full of music and poetry were held. During
the time of Michinaga's son, Yorimichi, the villa was converted into a temple, and
Byodoin was founded. The Amida Hall, now also known as the Phoenix Hall, was
built the year after its founding. It is said that the appearance of the Phoenix Hall
and the garden with its pond, laid out in front of it, were designed to evoke the
imagery of the Buddhist Pure Land described in Buddhist scriptures.

Phone:0774‒21‒2861

Operating Hours:: [General] 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
[Hoshokan] 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
[Hou-ou-do (Phoenix Hall)] 9:30 AM - 4:10 PM (entry every 20 minutes)
[Please note] The last reception is 15 minutes before each entry time. There are no holidays.

Admission Fee:¥700. An additional ¥300 fee is required to visit inside the Phoenix Hall.

Location:A 10-minute walk from JR/Keihan Uji Station.

BUjikami Shrine

The main hall of Ujikami Shrine is the oldest
existing shrine architecture in Japan, dating back
to the late Heian period. Timber felled in 1060
was used in its construction, suggesting a high
likelihood of being built around the same time as
Byodoin. Formerly, it was referred to as the
detached palace shrine, Rikyusha together with
Uji Shrine.

Phone:0774‒21‒4634

Hours:9:00 AM - 4:10 PM (No holidays)

Free admission

Location:A 10-minute walk from Keihan Uji Station

CUji Shrine

At Uji Shrine, there is a legend about the
enshrined deity, Ujinowakiiratsuko-no-Mikoto. It
is said that while he was on his way to the
detached palace, he lost his way. Then, a rabbit
appeared and guided him, repeatedly looking
back to show the correct path. Even today, this
"Mikaeri Usagi" (Looking-back Rabbit) is revered
as a divine messenger that guides people on the
right path.

Phone:0774‒21‒3041

Hours:: [Temple Grounds] Open access at all times
[Prayer Reception] 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location:A 9-minute walk from Keihan Uji Station

DEshinin Temple

It is said that Genshin, a high-ranking monk of
Yokawa on Mount Hiei, restored the temple and
named it Asahiyama Eshinin. Genshin is believed
to be the model for the "monk" in the Uji Jujo
(The Ten Uji Chapters) section of "The Tale of
Genji," who saves Ukifune after she throws
herself into the river and helps her find a new
path in life.

Phone:0774‒21‒3942

Hours:6:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Main hall cannot be visited)

Free Admission

Location:A 10-minute walk from Keihan Uji Station

EHakusan Shrine
(Shirakawa Konjikiin Ruins)

This shrine stands on the site of the Shirakawa
Konjiki-in, which was founded by Shijo-no-miya
Hiroko, the daughter of Fujiwara no Yorimichi.

Hours:Free access to the temple grounds

Access:A 40-minute walk from JR/Keihan Uji Station

FUpstream of the Uji river as seen
from the Uji Bridge.

The view of the upper Uji River from Uji Bridge,
where the river flows from the steep mountains
into an alluvial fan, is said to have remained
largely unchanged since the Heian period.

GMimurotoji Temple

This special head temple of the Honzan
Shugendo sect is said to have been founded
approximately 1,200 years ago. It is also believed
to be the model for the mountain temple of the
Ajari (high priest) in the Uji Jujo (The Ten Uji
Chapters) section of "The Tale of Genji."

Phone:0774‒21‒2067

For hours, holidays, and admission fees, please refer to
the website for more details.

Location:A 15-minute walk from Keihan Mimurodo Station

Introduction to Other Aspects of Uji Related to Murasaki Shikibu

The Tale of Genji Museum, Uji

This is the only museum in the world with the theme of
“The Tale of Genji”. This exhibition corner will help you
understand the world of The Tale of Genji with full-scale
models and videos. There is also a corner to experience
how people in Heian period actually did "Kaimami,
peeping." in the story..

Phone:0774‒39‒9300

Business Hours:9:00 -17:00(Admission until 16:30)

Closed on Monday(The next day if monday is a holiday) and New Years Holiday Season

Admission fee:¥600 for Adults/¥300 for Children

Approximately 8-minute walk from Keihan Uji Station

Uji City Botanical Gardens

A botanical garden located to the west of Taiyogaoka.
Visitors can enjoy the large three-dimensional flowerbed
“Tapestry of Flowers and Water,” a greenhouse where
you can see tropical plants, and seasonal flowers such as
herbs and plants related to the Tale of Genji.

Phone:0774‒39‒9387

Business Hours:9:00-17:00(Admission until 16:00)

Closed on Monday(The next day if Monday is a holiday)

Admission Fee:¥600 for Adults / ¥300 for Children

You can take the bus from Keihan Uji Station and get off at the “Botanical Garden”

Uji Cormorant Fishing/
The Uji Dengaku Festival

Events originating from the Heian period are still held
today, such as the cormorant fishing, which appeared in
the Heian period's “Kagero Diary, Gossamer Years” and
the Uji-Dengaku-Festival, which is associated with the
festival held at the Rikyu-Shrine