Blog · 6 November 2026 · 5 min read
Uji, home of Byodo-in and Japan's best-known matcha, is an easy trip from Kyoto. From Kyoto Station, the JR Nara Line gets you there in about 17 minutes for ¥240, with no change of train. If you're staying near Gion or along the Kamo River, the Keihan line is the easier choice. This guide covers both routes, which Uji station to get off at, and how to fit in Fushimi Inari on the way.
The short version
- From Kyoto Station: JR Nara Line to Uji. About 17 minutes on the Miyakoji Rapid, 22 to 27 minutes on a local train. ¥240.
- From Gion, Sanjo or Demachiyanagi: Keihan Main Line to Chushojima, then the Keihan Uji Line to Uji. About 30 to 40 minutes. ¥360 from Gion-Shijo.
- No reservations needed. IC cards such as ICOCA and Suica work on both lines.
- Both Uji stations are a short walk from Byodo-in, Uji Bridge and the shrines.
From Kyoto Station: the JR Nara Line
This is the simplest route and the one most visitors take. At Kyoto Station, follow the signs for the JR Nara Line and take a train heading for Nara that stops at Uji. There's no need to change trains.
| Train | Time to Uji | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Miyakoji Rapid | About 17 minutes | Stops at Tofukuji, Inari and Rokujizo only. Runs mainly in the middle of the day, about twice an hour |
| Local | About 22 to 27 minutes | Stops at every station. Runs all day |
The fare is ¥240 one way, the same for every kind of train, and the Miyakoji Rapid doesn't cost extra. Some trains have a reserved car at the back, which you only need if you buy a seat for it, so stand anywhere on the rest of the train.
Look out of the window as you get close to Uji. Tea fields start to appear beside the line, a first glimpse of the tea Uji is famous for.
From JR Uji Station, Byodo-in is about 10 minutes on foot, along the street of tea shops.
From Gion and central Kyoto: the Keihan line
If you're staying near Gion, Kawaramachi or the Kamo River, the Keihan line saves you the trip to Kyoto Station. Its underground stations run along the river, at Gion-Shijo, Sanjo and Demachiyanagi among others.
- Take a Keihan Main Line train south, towards Osaka (Yodoyabashi), to Chushojima. Express and local trains both stop there.
- At Chushojima, change to the Keihan Uji Line on platforms 3 and 4, and ride it to the end of the line, Uji.
From Gion-Shijo it takes about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the connection, and costs ¥360 one way. Keihan Uji Station is at the east end of Uji Bridge, so Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine are close by, and Byodo-in is just across the bridge.
Which route should you take?
| Starting from | Best route | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto Station area | JR Nara Line to Uji | 17 to 27 minutes | ¥240 |
| Gion, Sanjo, Kawaramachi | Keihan Main Line, change at Chushojima for Uji | About 30 to 40 minutes | ¥360 from Gion-Shijo |
| Fushimi Inari | JR Nara Line from Inari to Uji | A few minutes less than from Kyoto Station | Check at the station |
You can also mix them: go out on one line and come back on the other. JR Uji and Keihan Uji stations are about 7 minutes apart on foot.
Adding Fushimi Inari on the way
Fushimi Inari is on the same JR Nara Line, at Inari Station, two stops from Kyoto Station, and the Miyakoji Rapid stops there too. That makes it easy to see both in one day: walk the torii gates in the morning, then take the train on to Uji without going back to Kyoto Station. Or do it the other way round, and save Fushimi Inari for the evening, when it's far quieter. Our guide to visiting Fushimi Inari at night explains when the crowds thin out.
Arriving in Uji
Uji is small, and everything most visitors come for is within walking distance of both stations:
- Byodo-in and its Phoenix Hall, about 10 minutes from JR Uji Station. Our Byodo-in guide covers tickets and opening hours.
- Uji Bridge and the statue of Murasaki Shikibu, author of The Tale of Genji, at the west end of the bridge.
- Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine, across the river near Keihan Uji Station.
- Tea shops along the street to Byodo-in and by the river. Our Uji matcha guide has the best places to drink and buy tea.
Tips
- Use an IC card. ICOCA, Suica and other IC cards work on both JR and Keihan, so you don't need to buy tickets.
- Going early? The Miyakoji Rapid doesn't start running until about 9:30 am, so an early train will be a local. Allow about 25 to 30 minutes to Uji, plus the walk from the station. For our 8:30 am tour, aim to leave Kyoto Station by about 7:45 am.
- Expect busy trains at peak times. The JR Nara Line between Kyoto and Uji is used by both commuters and visitors, so it can be crowded on weekday mornings and evenings and on autumn weekends.
- Take the train rather than a taxi. Uji is far enough from central Kyoto that a taxi costs many times the train fare, and the train is often just as quick.
See Uji with a guide
Our two-hour Uji walking tour starts at the statue of Murasaki Shikibu by Uji Bridge, an easy walk from either station. Your guide takes you to Byodo-in, Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine, and explains the history behind them along the way. You can choose a morning, midday or afternoon start, and your guide will recommend good places for lunch and matcha afterwards. See tour dates and prices.
Book this tour
Kyoto Uji: 2-Hour Byodo-in & Shrines Guided Walking Tour
Walk Uji with a guide: Byodo-in's Phoenix Hall, Japan's oldest surviving shrine building and the bridge from The Tale of Genji.
2 hours · Kyoto · Uji
Please note. We wrote this guide in November 2026. Fares and times are from Ekitan's route search and Keihan's station information, and can change. Check a route planner or the station before you travel.
Sources
- Ekitan: Kyoto to Uji (JR) route and fare (Japanese)
- Ekitan: Gion-Shijo to Uji (Keihan) fares (Japanese)
- Kansai Norikae Navi: The Miyakoji Rapid (Japanese)
- Keihan: Chushojima Station information (Japanese)
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way from Kyoto to Uji?
The JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station. The Miyakoji Rapid takes about 17 minutes to Uji with no change of train, and local trains take about 22 to 27 minutes. The fare is ¥240.
How much is the train from Kyoto to Uji?
¥240 one way on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station, the same with an IC card or a paper ticket. From Gion-Shijo on the Keihan line it's ¥360 one way, changing at Chushojima.
Do I need a reserved seat on the Miyakoji Rapid?
No. The Miyakoji Rapid needs only a normal ticket or an IC card, with no extra charge. It runs mainly in the middle of the day, about twice an hour.
Which Uji station should I go to?
Either works. JR Uji Station is on the same side of the river as Byodo-in, about 10 minutes away on foot. Keihan Uji Station is at the east end of Uji Bridge, on the same side as Uji Shrine and Ujigami Shrine. The two stations are about 7 minutes' walk apart.
Can I use an IC card like ICOCA or Suica?
Yes. IC cards work on both the JR Nara Line and the Keihan line. Just tap in and out.
Can I visit Fushimi Inari and Uji on the same day?
Yes. Inari Station, right by Fushimi Inari, is on the same JR Nara Line, and the Miyakoji Rapid stops there. Take the train on to Uji from Inari without going back to Kyoto Station.