Uji (宇治) is a small city situated between Kyoto and Nara, rich in Heian-period culture.
Its main claims are Byodo-in (Unesco World Heritage Site) and tea cultivation.
Uji is famous of them, but, of course, there’s more.
This time, we’d like to share the two great spots in Uji.
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1-1.The World Heritage Ujigami Shrine
1-2.What to See in Ujigami Shrine
1-3.Information
2-1.Hidden View Spot Koshoji Temple
2-2.Vegan Food Market on November 30th
2-3.Information
The World Heritage Ujigami Shrine
Do you know how many the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyoto?
The answer is …… seventeen!
And two of them are in Uji city, Kyoto.
One is Byodo-in Temple which is the very popular and famous, and the other is Ujigami Shrine, also registered as one of the constituent assets of Cultural Property of Ancient Kyoto.
Not many people know about this shrine as a world heritage but it’s surely recommendable.
Though the origin, such as the founding date, is not clear, it is said that the Ujigami Shrine was established around the late Heian era (927).
The main diety is Uji no Waki Iratsuko, an ancient Japanese royal family.
People believe that Uji no Waki Iratsuko brings you good luck with academic achievement.
What to See in Ujigami Shrine
“Kirihara Water”
“Kirihara Water” , one of the seven exquisite and well-conserved waters
Ujigami Shrine has a unique Mitarashi (the place purifying your hands).
Water is spring water and used for a purification ritual.
This water is clear but it’s not for drinking.
Lovely Rabbit Oracle
People believe it brings you good luck with relationship and leads to the light way.
Goshuin (the signature that a shrine or a temple provides)
These designs are changed in four seasons and there is a limited version.
The Purifying Sand
The Purifying Sand placed both sides of the gate of worship hall.
You can get the sand at the shop by 500 yen.
The giant rock worshiped
According to a shinto priest, it is a sign to show where the main hall had been.
The reason why many tiny stones are heaped up is the superstition which your wish is come true if you heap up stones. *There are many hypothesis.
Information
Address:
59, Uji Yamada, Uji City, Kyoto 611-0021
Access:
10-minute walk from “Uji” St. on the Keihan Uji line
15-minute walk from “Uji” St. on the JR Nara line
Parking Lot:
About 10 cars are available
*The road is narrow around the shrine.
Time:
9:00~16:30
*Depends on the season
Admission Fee:
Free
Hidden View Spot Koshoji Temple
It takes about 5 minutes walk from Ujigami Shrin.
Though Koshoji Temple is not on a guide book, it is worth visiting.
Kotozaka Hill is named after the sound of the stream which is flowing both sides of.
In the early summer, the fresh green maple is beautifu.
In fall, the autumn foliage is gorgeous.
興聖寺は曹洞宗の寺院で、道元禅師が開祖とされ、日本最古の座禅専門道場です。
もともと宇治に位置していたわけではありませんが、道元禅師初開の道場として多くの禅僧がここに集結して修行を行います。
The temple is the first temple of Soto sect and begins with the fact that Dogen built Koshohorinji Temple.
As the temple is the oldest zen meditation center, buddhist moncs all over Japan are gathering and do practice there.
You can explore inside of the temple, the main hall, the Shoin, and Hojo area.
A bowl of Matcha is served by 500 yen.
Koshoji Temple welcome a beginner for Zen meditation so they hold an event for them.
It holds every 1st and 3rd Sundays and 20~ 30 participants take part in the event include a beginner.
Explanation of Zen Meditation Event
Vegan Food Market on November 30th
Buddhist has a similar diet as a vegan food, but the vegan is not known to Japanese.
This event seventeen stores sell vegan foods, drinks, and sweets.
Event Date:
November 30th, 2019 9:00~16:30
Admission Fee:
Free for the event (Charged 500 yen as admission fee for the temple)
The Event
Information
Address:
27-1, Uji Yamada, Uji City, Kyoto 611-0021
Access:
15-minute walk from “Uji” St. on the Keihan Uji line
20-minute walk from “Uji” St. on the JR Nara line
Parking Lot:
About 10 cars are available
*The road is narrow around the shrine.
Time:
Sunrise to Sunset
*5:00~17:00
Admission Fee:
・300 yen: Visiting the inside of the buildings
・3,000 yen: Visiting the inside of the buildings, and a calligraphy or a Buddhist rosary.
・5,000 yen: Visiting the inside of buildings, a calligraphy on a square shikishi card, and a Buddhist rosary.
・10,000 yen: Visiting the inside of the buildings, a calligraphy on a hanging scroll, and a Buddhist rosary.
Do you need more information?
You should receive such local information of Kyoto by an application “KoI APP”.
With this application, even if you don’t have Wi-Fi, you can find nearby stores and so on.
You can install the application from the following URL.
