Wisteria in Uji

Warm sunshine and pretty flowers on the Uji riverbank

Cathy Cawood Feb 22, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Restaurants sell matcha ice-cream, and matcha noodles</p>

<p>Matcha ice-cream dusted with pure matcha powder... delicious!</p>

<p>Many of the shops and restaurants in the tourist area near Byodoin Temple have potted wisteria by the door</p>

<p>It is a Japanese custom to sprinkle water on the path outside the entrance</p>

<p>Many shops feature traditional door curtains</p>

<p>Uji is an old town, and you can see the occasional thatched roof here.</p>

<p>Paper lanterns decorate a casual riverside restaurant</p>

<p>There is a dragon boat festival on the Uji River in May</p>

<p>Wild wisteria  hangs from the forest beside Uji River</p>

<p>Purple petals scattered on the the side of the road leading to Amagase Dam</p>

Uji is a pretty riverside town a short train journey from Kyoto. It is famous for green tea and for Byodo-in, the temple featured on the Japanese ten yen coin. In May wisteria blooms everywhere... wild wisteria growing rampant in the forest, and potted wisteria outside the shops in the tourist area. There is also a beautiful wisteria arbour in the grounds of Byodo-in.The Japanese word for wisteria is 'fuji'. At the same time the maple leaves are vibrant green and pink azaleas light up the shade. The weather is usually lovely in May, and if you are lucky you might even see some dragon boat racing. I highly recommend the matcha ice-cream!

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...