(Photographed on June 10, 2026) It seems you can get here by Kyoto Keihan Bus from either Keihan Uji Station or JR Uji Station, but I took a taxi from Keihan Uji Station for 1200 yen. There are 2 buildings on the hillside in Oridai, Uji City, apparently housing the central library, central community center, cultural hall, and history museum. These facilities seem intended for Uji residents, but I was able to visit the history museum even though I am not a Uji resident. There seem to be temporary special exhibitions in addition to the permanent exhibition, but unfortunately there was no special exhibition when I visited. A quick look around the museum only takes about 30 minutes, but I learned several useful things, including the course of the Uji River before Amagase Dam was built, fishing in Uji, and the types of metal sheets lining tea chests. As with many other museums, photography is prohibited, so I think it would be a good idea to bring writing materials. Looking at the map, Agata Shrine and Byodoin are north of the Oridai hills, so walking back at a leisurely pace might be nice.

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I wanted to see the permanent exhibition, so I checked the museum’s calendar to make sure it wasn’t a closure day before going, but the exhibition room was closed. The office was open, so I asked an office worker, who said the exhibition room was closed today. When I asked whether the museum was closed today, the reply was that it wasn’t a museum closure day because the office was open, but on days without a special exhibition, the permanent exhibition room is closed for exhibition changes, and that this was also written on the calendar. Looking closely at the calendar, this important information was written in very small print at the very bottom. It was just like a shady online retailer’s website. If the exhibition room is closed, isn’t that the same as the museum being closed, even if the office is open? Saying it isn’t a closure day because the office is open is insulting to visitors. What’s more, in May 2026, the special exhibition runs for only 9 days, and the permanent exhibition can only be seen during that period. Can this even be called a permanent exhibition? Their disregard for visitors is outrageous.

This is a place you can casually visit when you want to learn about Uji’s history, and it regularly holds various events. They also sell history-related publications, such as old maps from the Heian period.

Along the approach from the bicycle parking area are remains such as a relocated ancient burial mound and garden stones from the Heian period, while the approach from the car park displays items such as a breakthrough stone from the Uji Tunnel on the Keiji Bypass.

It’s a small exhibition space. The theme at the time happened to be Uji as depicted in nishiki-e prints. Uji City is promoting The Tale of Genji now, but from the Edo period through the war years, Uji was associated with The Tale of the Heike. It was unique to see the rivalry between Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue to lead the charge turned into sugoroku games and pop-up picture books called “tatebanko.” With war tales declining in popularity and love stories being promoted by the local government, perhaps this is a sign of peace, however imperfect.