Uji 宇治市 is a small city between Kyoto and Nara in Japan. I went there a few days back as I had heard a lot of good things about temples in Uji. It is also famous for its green tea known for its superior quality.
What to see: There are many temples in Uji, such as Mimurotoji 三室戸寺, Byodoin 平等院 Mampukuji 萬福寺 etc. You can also see Uji river 宇治川 that flows through Uji town. I could visit only Byodoin as it is in the city centre, just 15 minutes walk from Keihan Uji station.
Byodoin is famous for its Phoenix Hall that has a statue of Amida Buddha. They have guided tours that start every 20 minutes and cost 300 Yen extra. Phoenix Hall is a wooden structure with two Phoenix statues on its roof, found behind Japanese 10 Yen coins. I didn’t go inside the Phoenix hall as there was a 1.5 hours wait to go inside and it was too hot and sunny to wait outside for my turn! However, I could see all the artefacts in the Treasure House which is sort of museum inside the temple complex.
I couldn’t go to Mimurotoji as it is about 20 minutes from the city centre and it was too late to go there. Most of the temples in Uji close at 4.30pm.
What to buy: Of course, green tea! The street leading to Byodoin known as Ometesando is lined with shops and restaurants selling tea and tea related items. A small pack of 30 gms can set you back with 2000 Yen though, depending upon the quality!
What to eat: I had some amazing matcha pancakes, which I had never eaten in Osaka before. They came with matcha ice cream and sweet bean paste.
Uji is really beautiful and I will definitely go there again! And you should go there too!

Byodoin Temple Uji Japan

Welcome to Byodoin!

Byodoin Temple Uji Japan

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Byodoin Temple Uji Japan

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Byodoin Temple Uji Japan

Phoenix Hall

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Famous Phoenix Statues!

Byodoin Temple Uji Japan

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Uji River behind me!

Indian fashion blogger

Uji River

Japan street style

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Indian summer outfit

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japanese bridge

Hot and sunny day!

Japanese green tea shops

Ometesando!

japanese temple

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red top outfit for summer

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Byodoin Temple Uji Japan

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Byodoin Temple Uji Japan

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Matcha pancakes/green tea pancakes

Matcha pancakes!

pancakes

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Top – Zara, $50, 2015;
Shorts – Hill Road (Bandra), 15 $, 2006, also worn here;
Cardigan – Zara, $40, 2014;
Slip-ons – Stradivarius, $50, 2015, also worn here;
Bag – Charles & Keith, $60 on Sale, 2014;
Sunglasses – Zara, 45 $, 2012; also worn here;