Enjoy the Food and Culture Surrounding Tea in Uji, Kyoto!

　Uji, Kyoto is one of the most famous tea producing areas in Japan. Come and enjoy the food and culture surrounding tea here, located a short distance away from central Kyoto. In Uji, there is also the Byodoin Temple, a World Heritage site with its magnificent architecture, Buddhist statues, and gardens, which we hope you will enjoy as well.

We will now introduce the restaurants.
■「BAISA NAKAMURA」 The first place in Japan where you can enjoy freshly rolled tea at the restaurant

▲Left) Image Source: BAISA NAKAMURA

　About 20 types of freshly rolled tea leaves, which are normally only available to those who work in the tea industry, are offered at the store. The tea, which is sourced directly from local farmers, is made daily in small quantities, and workshops on hand-rolling tea are also offered.

・Recommended Menu・・・ 「Sencha Three Variety Set,」 which allows you to enjoy three kinds of tea 1,500 Yen (Tax Incl., same as below)

　The appeal of freshly rolled tea is the fragrant scent, and the fresh, mellow flavor. This set allows you to enjoy three types of Sencha made from Uji tea leaves, mainly from the town of Wazuka in Kyoto. The first type of tea is cold tea with creamy foam, and the second type is enjoyed with a tea accompaniment that matches the tea and its aroma.
　
・Inside the restaurant, you can enjoy tea, as well as conversations about tea with the owner.

▲Right) Image Source: BAISA NAKAMURA

　You can spend a relaxing time inside the restaurant with its calm lighting. In addition to freshly rolled tea, the store also sells aged sencha, matcha, black tea, and oolong tea, allowing customers to enjoy the flavors of tea leaves made with different degrees of maturity, fermentation, and tea-making methods at home.

■「Wamucha Café」 Creative Chinese cuisine using Uji green tea and local vegetables
　The owner, who has 20 years of experience in Chinese restaurants, started this restaurant to convey the appeal of his hometown, Uji, and is now serving authentic and creative Chinese cuisine that higlights the tea.
・Recommended Menu・・・A soft Tofu that is like pudding 「Uji green tea Mapo-Tofu set with three kinds of dim sum」 1,400 yen

　The Mapo-Tofu has two different textures, the original jiggly matcha sesame tofu and the silken tofu.
　
・Recommended Menu・・・Popular among tourists from abroad. 「Uji Matcha Dashi Chazuke Set」 Enjoy making the Matcha-dashi with the tea whisk. 1,300 Yen

　It is a dish of white rice topped with a Chinese-style plum leaf, crispy rice, and tender steamed chicken, and served with warm Matcha-Dashi. You can enjoy making your own Matcha-Dashi with a tea whisk. The mix of white rice, crispy rice and green tea combines into an exquisite and mellow taste.

▲The store is located along the approach leading to the World Heritage Site Byodoin Temple, and the entrance to the store sells miscellaneous goods.

■「Unjo Saryo」 Cafe attached to the Uji City Tale of Genji Museum
Without letting down the image of The Tale of Genji, this store offers tea and sweets selected by tea masters that cannot be found in any other store.
・Recommended Menu・・・「Teien Parfait - Chestnut Suhama」 A handmade to order, seasonal delicacy to be enjoyed. 1,650 yen

　The top layer is a mountain of chestnut mousse, chestnut-flavored whipped cream, matcha green tea, hojicha green tea, and cookie crumbs; the second layer is fresh orange, chestnut, and hojicha green tea sponge; and the third layer contains a white sweet dumpling and hojicha jelly. It is an incredible dish where you can encounter a variety of flavors, mixing them in your mouth to create a wonderful harmony.

・Recommended Menu・・・「Gyokuro Kaoru」, a selection of nine types of tea you can enjoy in a stylish container. 880 Yen

　Inspired by the names of characters in the Tale of Genji, this mizudashi tea is rich in flavor and has a full-bodied aftertaste. Mizuidashi tea has a sweeter taste than tea brewed with hot water, and is available in nine varieties, including 「Matcha Niounomiya」.

・The view from the glass window in the restaurant facing the museum courtyard. You can enjoy a relaxing time!

■Each Restaurants Location
　　・BAISA NAKAMURA
　　　　49 Uji Renge, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan
　　・Wamucha
　　　　12, Uji Renge, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan
　　・Unjo Saryo
　　　　45-26, Uji Higashiuchi, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan　Inside the Uji City Tales of Genji Museum
　　　※The nearest station to each store is Uji Station on the Keihan Railway Uji Line, and is within walking distance.