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Uji, Kyoto is one of Japan’s most renowned tea regions.
From popular sightseeing areas lined with long-established Uji tea shops
to charming spots throughout the town, Uji offers countless places
where you can enjoy authentic tea in its true home.
In this special feature, we introduce selected shops from the Kyoto Uji Tourist Map
that have been officially certified as “Uji Tea Cafés.”
Learn about the history and culture of traditional Uji tea,
as well as how it is carefully prepared, and take your time
to relax and enjoy a delicious selection of Uji tea beverages.
This article contains information current as of April 1, 2026.
About Uji Tea Cafés
An “Uji Tea Café” is a café that offers a selection of three or more delicious Uji tea menu items and provides guests with insights into the history, culture, and proper preparation of Uji tea.
Since fiscal year 2009, cafés that meet these standards have been officially certified by the Uji Tea Community Council, a council made up of local government bodies and tea industry organizations, to recognize establishments that truly represent the spirit and quality of Uji tea.
Uji Tea Café Certification Criteria
- 1.
- Offers a menu featuring three or more varieties of high-quality Uji tea available for enjoyment.
- 2.
- Creates a welcoming atmosphere that thoughtfully highlights and promotes the appeal of Uji tea through its interior design and overall ambience.
- 3.
- Has on-site staff who are certified Japanese Tea Instructors or Advisors recognized by the Japan Tea Instructor Association, and are able to explain proper tea preparation;
or employs staff who have completed tea preparation training conducted by a certified Japanese Tea Instructor within the same organisation, ensuring that guidance is always available.
Itoh Kyuemon Main Branch/Cafe
Genuine Uji tea(Uji-cha) nurtured by tradition,A variety of sweets using freshly ground Uji matcha.Please enjoy the taste and flavor.
With the big sign that says “茶”, our tea shop welcomes our customers with the nice aroma of tea leaves as they walk in. Customers can try tasting Uji tea of their preference in our shop with an atmosphere that changes with every season.
We also have our own cafe located on the same property where customers can enjoy our carefully prepared tea. The most popular menu is “Matcha parfait”. Please enjoy the rich taste of Matcha that attracts customers any time of the year and can only be tasted at our cafe.
Japanese Tea Cafe Unjosaryo
Immerse yourself in ancient tales and enjoy a relaxed moment in an artistic space.
Located within the Tale of Genji Museum in Uji, a site closely associated with Murasaki Shikibu, the author of The Tale of Genji, our café offers a serene retreat with free admission. While enjoying views of the garden, you can savor sweets and Japanese tea, including Uji matcha, inspired by The Tale of Genji. Our offerings also allow you to appreciate art and culture through food. Why not spend some leisurely time here while exploring Uji?
Uji Cha Dojo “Takumi-no-Yakata”
Its uniqueness makes “Takumi-no-Yakata” a cafe of its own. Please have a relaxing moment and a surprising experience alongside the Ujigawa river.
A cafe where visitors can have a mind-blowing experience alongside the Ujigawa river.
Our Japanese tea instructor will thoroughly explain how to make tea. Please enjoy the taste of tea that you made on your own. We have other activities, such as tea making lecture and tea-tasting game. We accept group reservations as well.
Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo
You can participate in a Uji tea making activity and enjoy dishes made with Uji tea.
Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo is located along the clear stream of Ujigawa River, where the culture of Uji tea was developed.
To achieve our goal, which is to have people know more about Uji tea while preserving its tradition, we have prepared; an atelier where customers can enjoy making tea and tea things, a tea room where customers can feel close to the ways of tea, a cafe where customers can enjoy tea confectioneries and dishes, and a shop where customers can purchase our original brands of Uji tea and tea things. Please experience the traditional culture of Uji tea as much as you like.
Fukujuen Ujicha Tei
Please have a relaxing moment with Uji tea.
Please enjoy having Uji tea alongside the beautiful Uji river. “Usuusu Uji Matcha” is very easy for tea beginners to drink although it is made with aromatic Matcha. We also serve Matcha sweets, Uji tea ice cream, Green Tea Soba Noodles with which customers can have a relaxing moment while looking at the clear streams of the Uji river. Takeouts available. Customers can make their own tea depending on the menu.
Akamon Chaya
Akamon Chaya was founded in front of the main entrance of Byodoin by our owner who grew up at an old-established Uji tea shop that was founded in 1781.
Akamon Chaya is a tea shop that is located in front of the main entrance of Byodoin and uses 100% Uji tea. We sell Uji tea, tea things, and tea incense burner. We also instruct our customers how to make good Uji tea. We also have our own cafe. Uji Kintoki in summer, Koicha Zenzai in winter, please enjoy our original dishes that include Matcha beer.
Ocha-no-Kanbayashi Ujibashidori Street Main Branch
A long-established tea company that is owned by the Kanbayashi family, in which all family members are tea specialists, for more than 400 years since its foundation.
We won the Best Uji Tea Award for three years in a row!
Since founded 400 years ago, Ocha-no-Kanbayashi has been a Japanese tea specialty shop owned by the Kanbayashi family who used to present Japanese tea to the Edo shogunates and the imperial house.
We have pride in making tea that is not too bitter by carefully selecting tea leaves and bushes so that our customers can enjoy our tea even with their first try. On the second floor of our shop, visitors can enjoy the authentic tastes of Uji tea at “Ujicha Cafe”. You can try some brands of tee for free. We are looking forward to serving you.
Matcha Republic
Surprise and delight with matcha!
Introducing the new charm and possibilities of traditional matcha culture.
Enjoy meticulously crafted drinks and sweets made with stone-ground Uji matcha from high-quality first-harvest Uji tea and dairy products like 100% Hokkaido milk. Matcha Ink, a photogenic creation inspired by bottled ink, presents traditional matcha culture in a modern, accessible way. Experience Uji's traditional culture with a contemporary and stylish twist.
Tsujirihei Honten Uji Main Shop & Café
A serene haven to savor the finest Uji tea and indulge in a moment of pure bliss.
Established in 1860, Tsujiri Hei is a renowned tea wholesaler that carries on the founder’s vision. The tea room, housed in a century-old tea factory, has been thoughtfully renovated to blend tradition with modern charm. Here, you can savor exquisite matcha sweets made with freshly ground Uji matcha from the adjacent factory, paired with a selection of premium Uji teas. Experience the true essence of Uji.
Marukyu Koyamaen Makishima Factory & Matcha Shop
You can experience Kyoto's matcha culture and the matcha production process through all five senses.
This facility offers you the chance to observe the renowned matcha production process of Uji, Kyoto.
Immerse yourself in Kyoto's tea culture through a variety of sensory experiences, including visual and aromatic delights such as video and panel presentations, tea room tours, and live matcha preparation demonstrations.
The shopping vouchers you receive at reception can be used like cash at the on-site matcha shop. The store offers exclusive limited-edition matcha souvenirs, a variety of Uji teas, and specialty gelato-style matcha and hojicha soft serve.
TEA SQUARE MORIHAN "Kura Cafe"
Enjoy an elegant café experience with handmade matcha sweets and a selection of teas.
Located within TEA SQUARE MORIHAN, a tea-themed facility created by the long-established Uji tea company Morihan, this café is housed in a beautifully renovated 100-year-old warehouse. In this charming setting, you can enjoy sweets and drinks made with freshly ground matcha and hojicha. One of the highlights on the menu, the 'Matcha Mont Blanc,' is a luxurious treat that lets you fully savor the flavors of premium matcha and freshly prepared Japanese chestnut paste.
Tea House FUKUCHA Uji Store
A Casual Café-Style Teahouse Offering Uji Tea
FUKUCHA is a brand of Fukujuen, created to carry Uji tea to future generations for the next 100 years. It was born from the idea of letting people enjoy Uji tea in a casual, fun, and delicious way.
At the Uji branch, located on the historic Byodoin Omotesando street filled with the fragrance of tea, guests can enjoy colorful herbal tea and sweets pairing sets, ochazuke made with smoked tea, and other innovative creations that share the new possibilities of Uji tea with the next generation—and with the world.
Bringing richness to both body and spirit, FUKUCHA delivers fuku — the Japanese word for happiness.
In addition to the spots featured in this article, there are many other Uji Tea Café–certified establishments.
For the latest information and a full list of certified cafés—primarily in the Yamashiro and Otokuni areas,
as well as the Kyoto City area—please see the link below.