In my exploration of green tea in Japan, I decided to visit Uji, famous for its high-quality tea. I used Osaka as my base in Kansai, and it was a good place to explore as well.

Wandering the busy streets of Osaka

This was my first time in Osaka. The town is intense, full of crazy signage and mostly very busy.

Osaka Castle is one of the main sights and a famous landmark of Japan. The park and garden around it are famous spots for viewing cherry blossoms, but it’s also a good area to simply enjoy the sun.

Shinsekai is full of interesting shops with over-the-top signs, and Dotonbori is packed at all times with people queuing for takoyaki and other local treats. I had the melon pan which was average.

I also visited Namba Yasaka Jinja, a unique shrine shaped like a dragon.

Drinking tea in Uji

Located not far from Kyoto, Uji is famous for its green tea.

The main attractions are all located in a small area. You can visit the Byodo-in temple, and spend some time exploring the small islands of Tachibana and To-no-shima. There are many tea houses and tea shops around.

It is a great place to visit to try some of the local tea, and it’s also a good place to enjoy at a leisurely pace as there aren’t many tourists around.

• Chazuna: a new museum explaining the history of green tea. They also run tea-tasting sessions and other activities. 
• Tsuen: the oldest tea house in Japan, where you can drink high-quality tea with a view of the river.
• Taihoan: located next to the information centre, this place runs different tea-tasting sessions in a traditional tatami room.