8 - Kyoto and Uji

8 - Kyoto and Uji

6am morning (1 hour before alarm)... Bluesky still seems to be at least partially down so maybe more intermittent updates but breakfast first then Uji, then come back and a nice meal. Taking it easyish today to do the hike tomorrow

Matcha and yogurt, now on a crowded train to Uji

Then we arrived and walked towards Byodoin Temple

Can't really see it from the photos but there's a really cool giant Buddha inside the Phoenix Hall but no pics allowed.

As always cool landscaping... I am jealous.

Got some Houjicha ice cream and tea for taking home, then it was time for lunch

Some gimmicky green tea noodles but honestly the broth and fish were really good

Still have a bit of time to look at more tea shops and hopefully get some gyokuro or sencha or matcha before the booked tea ceremony

Now waiting, Uji is picturesque

Had a private ceremony, seems like no one else signed up for that slot. Unlike 13 years ago it was a sitting on a low chair ceremony, spartan explanation but it's nice, now heading back to get my glasses and relax a bit before tempura dinner. We're taking today easy to be ready for tomorrow

Break over, walk to tempura time

We are here!

Yuzu cider, tofu with roe and something, broth with whitefish... That broth was excellent as was the fish

Corn

Mountain vegetable and shrimp toast

Uni

Shrimp head

Shrimp body and green bean filled with green bean paste

Sesame tofu, konjac, moroko fish

Scallop with caviar

Bamboo shoot with shiso miso paste, green peppers and eggplant

Steak, white mushroom with truffle, shiitake with shrimp

Sea eel

Salad and tendon

Dessert

Definitely the best tempura I've ever had, though to be fair my bar is fairly low as I've never had tempura at a "good" place, usually as sides at other places. They were also extremely attentive.

I wonder why the place was empty, they had a lot of sears available but only offered 5:30 and 7:30 as options, possibly the side branch only had one chef available who was busy with a family? Bur wither way really good and didn't feel oily at all.

Now early night to get up early to do tomorrow, 8 hours from now waking up to go.