Uji & Matcha

Tea fields, Uji Japan // loveandlemons.com matcha cream // loveandlemons.com

A few days ago, we took this short little day trip to the land of Matcha. Uji is famous for producing the finest Matcha in Japan since the 14th century. It’s not necessarily a “must see,” but it’s an easy 30 minute train ride from Kyoto and it was just so beautiful. We strolled the little main street, saw a (pretty touristy) tea ceremony, drank some frothy matcha, and had a nice cha-soba lunch.

Uji River // loveandlemons.com

So ridiculously beautiful…

chazuke & cha soba // loveandlemons.com

I’ve had Chazuke at least three times so far this trip (it’s also called Ochazuke). It’s a soupy rice dish made with dashi and green tea. My favorite is the veggie version with umeboshi…. definitely another for the the “to make when I get home” list. The green tea soba at this restaurant (Itokyuemon) was good too.

Matcha ice cream is really pretty good (and generally the same) all over – you’ll see it everywhere you turn in both Uji and Kyoto. The very best we’ve had so far was at Ippodo in Kyoto. Which reminds me – stay tuned for a post about our overall Kyoto recommendations. We’re back in Tokyo now, so (by popular request) a very linky post about Kyoto is in the works.

18 comments

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  1. Beautiful photographs – I plan to visit Uji when I go to Kyoto so it is great to see all of the matcha flavored foods I can eat there! 😀

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      03.30.2016

      thank you! I hope you love it there as much as we did 🙂

  2. dana from minimalistbaker.com
    09.20.2013

    Matcha cream. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

  3. Sarah from honeyandlimes.wordpress.com
    09.19.2013

    I love matcha flavored anything. I would fly to Japan just to try that matcha ice cream (and many other wonderful foods)!

    • jeanine
      09.18.2013

      thanks Robyn 🙂

  4. Laura from oomphlove.blogspot.ca
    09.17.2013

    I love Japan! I left my heart there in grade school when i lived there for a bit as part of a school exchange program. beautiful country. beautiful people. outstanding yummy food. I love seeing all your pictures and posts about your travels!
    http://www.oomphlove.blogspot.ca

  5. Sini from myblueandwhitekitchen.com
    09.17.2013

    That matcha cream looks sooooo delicious! Can’t wait to hear and see more from your trip to Japan. These posts are pure inspiration.

  6. Quyen from liveitinerantly.com
    09.17.2013

    I just love the concept of bento boxes. There is something so feminine about displaying foods in little bowls like pieces of art. It is the adult version of a kids tea party! 🙂
    http://liveitinerantly.com

  7. Elissa from style-wire.com
    09.17.2013

    I love match so these photos are a treat! Some place like this would definitely be on my must see list!

  8. JC Carter from sweetloveandginger.blogspot.com
    09.17.2013

    that looks amazing. That “make when you get home” list is going to include posting the recipes on here right?

    • jeanine
      09.17.2013

      yep, of course! The list grows every day 🙂

  9. Oh the scenery looks stunning! I love green tea ice cream, so rare in Australia, Those noodles must of tasted so good, nothing better than freshly made soba!

  10. Such a beautiful place… plus you just gotta love all things green tea. Looks like a gorgeous spot for a serene getaway.

  11. How beautiful! I’d love to visit Japan one day, only been to China yet. Your recaps are amazing and grow my wanderlust.

  12. so so beautiful and i agree with angela, i want some matcha ice cream now too!

  13. Angela from sparrowinspace.com
    09.17.2013

    Your pictures are really great. I would really like some matcha ice cream right now.

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.