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Uji 宇治市 | |
|---|---|
 Byōdō-in, a World Heritage Site | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Uji inKyoto Prefecture | |
  Uji | |
| Coordinates:34°53′4″N135°47′59″E / 34.88444°N 135.79972°E /34.88444; 135.79972 | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kansai |
| Prefecture | Kyoto Prefecture |
| First official recorded | early 5th century |
| City Settled | March 1, 1951 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Atsuko Matsumura |
| Area | |
• Total | 67.54 km2 (26.08 sq mi) |
| Population (October 1, 2020) | |
• Total | 179,630 |
| • Density | 2,700/km2 (6,900/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| Tree | Acer |
| Flower | Kerria japonica |
| Bird | Alcedo atthis |
| Phone number | 0774-22-3141 |
| Address | 33 Uji Biwa, Uji-shi, Kyōto-fu 611-8501 |
| Website | www |
Uji (宇治市,Uji-shi) is acity onthe southern outskirts of the city ofKyoto, inKyoto Prefecture,Japan.
Founded on March 1, 1951, Uji is between the two ancient capitals ofNara andKyoto. The city sits on theUji River, which has its source inLake Biwa.
As of 1 October 2020[update] Uji has a population of 179,630 and is the second largest city inKyoto Prefecture. It has an area of 67.54 km2, giving it apopulation density of 2,660 persons per km2.[1]
In the 4th century the son ofEmperor Ōjin established a palace in Uji. The 11th-century author,Murasaki Shikibu, set much of the final chapters ofThe Tale of Genji at Uji.[2]
Thefirst battle of Uji in 1180 was the first clash of theGenpei War.Taira forces caught up withMinamoto forces that were attempting to make their way toNara and defeated them. Later in the war, two factions of Genji clashed at thesecond battle of Uji in 1184. In 1221, theJōkyū War was decided at thethird battle of Uji, in which forces of theKamakura shogunate defeated the retiredemperor Go-Toba, consolidating the shogunate's control over Japan and theHōjō clan's control over the shogunate.
ShōgunAshikaga Yoshimitsu (1358–1408) promoted cultivation ofUji tea in the area. Since then Uji has been an important production and distribution center of superior quality green tea. Tsuen tea has been served since 1160 and is still sold in the oldest tea shop in Japan and possibly the world—theTsuen tea shop.[3] In the 15th century,shimamono tea jars destined to be used in theJapanese tea ceremony[4] were brought by theshōgun fromLuzon to Uji.
Uji contains the ethnic Korean enclaveUtoro district, which was formed from forced laborers who were made to build an airstrip in Kyoto beginning in 1941.[5][6]
Per Japanese census data,[1] the population of Uji has recently plateaued after decades of strong growth.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 16,807 | — |
| 1930 | 21,355 | +27.1% |
| 1940 | 27,748 | +29.9% |
| 1950 | 38,231 | +37.8% |
| 1960 | 47,336 | +23.8% |
| 1970 | 103,497 | +118.6% |
| 1980 | 152,692 | +47.5% |
| 1990 | 177,010 | +15.9% |
| 2000 | 189,112 | +6.8% |
| 2010 | 189,608 | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 179,630 | −5.3% |
| Source:[1],[1] | ||
Most visitors are attracted to Uji for its centuries-old historic sites, which include manyShinto shrines,Buddhisttemples andHindu Shrines. Among the most famous are theUjigami Shrine (built in 1060) and theByōdō-in that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto". TheByōdō-in, with its Amida (Phoenix) Hall built in 1053, is featured on the obverse side of the10 yen coin. It was also featured on several Japanese postage stamps, a. o. of 1950, 1957 and 1959.
Other religious sites include theManpuku-ji, the head temple of theŌbakuZen sect, built inChineseMing style in 1661 and theZen temple Kōshō-ji, with its Kotozaka entrance (framed with dense thickets ofcherry,kerria,azalea, andmaple trees, each of which dramatically changes color with the seasons) constructed in 1648. Noteworthy is the Mimuroto-ji, which is famous for its purple hydrangeas. The city features numerous other smallShinto shrines. With a few exceptions, most of the important historical sites are in walking distance of one another and all are easily accessed by rail.
The last ten chapters of the Japanese classicnovelThe Tale of Genji take place in Uji, and so there isThe Tale of Genji Museum.
Uji has many natural attractions, including its scenic riverside, large parks, and a botanical garden. Slightly upriver from Uji bridge, theAmagase Dam spans the river and day trippers can walk to its base in about an hour. The route, which begins directly across from Keihan Uji Station, is along the river on a paved road and offers access to several grassy open spaces where people can rest and picnic.
The city hosts two major festivals each year. The Agata Festival, held on June 5, begins in the early morning and runs until late at night. Like many cities in Japan, Uji hosts an hours-long fireworks festival on August 10. Both events draw huge crowds and require that the town's main thoroughfare to be shut down.
There iscormorant fishing in summer during the evening, from mid-June to late September.
Every August,Seicho-no-Ie holds a Memorial Festival (盂蘭盆供養大祭,Urabon kuyō taisai) (annual ancestor ceremony) at Uji Bekkaku Honzan (宇治別格本山), a special Seicho-no-Ie head temple located next to Hōzō Shrine (宝蔵神社,Hōzo Jinja) in Uji.[7]
Uji is served by three rail companies:JR West,Keihan, andKintetsu. The Keihan line which runs primarily betweenKyoto and downtownOsaka serves the city via the branchUji Line running from Chushojima station and ending along the river atKeihan Uji Station beside the Uji Bridge. The station is close to Uji'sTale of Genji Town, Uji Bridge, and the Byodoin. All trains on this line stop at every station.
TheJR Nara Line runs betweenKyoto andNara.JR Uji station was, until a few years ago, fairly rural but was recently rebuilt to better serve the city. Architecturally it mimics the Byodo-in and is on the opposite side of the Uji river, about 10 minutes' walk from Keihan Uji Station. The clock in front of the station is of special interest and, every hour on the hour, opens to reveal an automated show that celebrates the town's heritage as a center of tea production. LikeKeihan Uji Station, JR Uji has easy access to the same sites. The station is served by local and express trains.
Kintetsu serves West Uji with a line between Kyoto and Nara and does not have a station named for the town. The line is primarily used by commuters and includesOgura,Iseda, andŌkubo. No stations are close to the main tourist sites.
Local buses have routes in the city andpublic transportation is good. Charter buses to and from theKansai International (KIX) andItami airports can be caught at most of the train stations.
Uji is south of the mainMeishin Expressway and is served directly by the Keiji Bypass, atoll road that was completed a few years ago. The Keiji Bypass circumventsKyoto andŌtsu which can be subject to traffic jams. The road is notable for its hightrestles and series of longtunnels — including one that is approximately six miles long. The Keiji Bypass links to Dai Ni Keihan Road (Number Two Kyoto Osaka Road) which is under construction and usable for at least part of its length.
Non-toll roads includeRoute 1 which runs betweenKyoto andOsaka and Route 24 which runs betweenKyoto andNara. These roads are usually filled with traffic and have many stoplights. Close by is Route 307, which runs east/west along the southern edge of the city betweenOsaka andShiga prefecture. This is a fairly rural road that leads through the mountains and, once away from the urban centers, makes a nice day trip.
Of special interest tomotorsports enthusiasts is the Ujigawa Line (Uji River Line). This twisty road parallels the Uji River between Uji and Otsu and is a favorite for racers. The road is dangerous and often claims lives. Due to numerous accidents, the route is closed tomotorcycles for most of August, when Japanese schools are typically out of session.
Uji has friendship agreements with three other cities:[8]
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