What other travelers are saying about Tale of Genji Museum (Uji City)
Really surprised by the quality of the exhibits. There are immersive activities, a film to watch about the tale, incense ingredient smelling and a smart tablet audio guide for different languages. We left feeling like we could view Uji differently after the visit.
After waking up early to summit Mt Inari, I took a convenient train south to Uji. As a history student who loves seeing history manifest and interact in cultural output, I’ve been obsessed with museums on art and literature. Uji is my favorite city so far. The museum is conveniently located near Uji River, and you can visit two beautiful shrines on the way to a bridge, which you can cross to reach the gorgeous Byodoin Temple.
The place is peaceful and beautiful, the exhibitions are interesting, but the best part is the cafe inside, the desserts and green tea are really good
A small museum that tells the history of The Tale of Genji. They provided english audio guide but the movie had no English subtitles.
An okay experience for 600 JPY.
A bit of a walk from the Uji train station. It’s about 15-20 min quick walk from the famous temple. They close sharply at 5pm and start urging people to leave at 4:55pm.
The last entry is 4:30pm.
Most of the descriptions are in Japanese only so it’s not so fun for people who don’t know the story gist or Japanese. They do have the audio guides you can borrow but if you come after 4pm they don’t really offer it anymore as they are closing soon.
If you re a fan of the Heian period and interested in the history, story of Genji intrigues you then you should visit. The entry ticket is 600 yen and you buy the ticket from the vending machine. But if you don’t know the history and don’t know the story much then this could be boring for you because you don’t understand it.
Frequently asked questions
The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with last entry at 4:30 p.m. It's closed every Monday (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum closes the following day instead). Regular admission fees are ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for children, though discounts are sometimes available through partner businesses.
The museum is an 8-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line, or a 15-minute walk from Uji Station on the JR Nara Line. From central Kyoto, you can take either the Keihan Uji Line or JR Nara Line to reach Uji Station. Both train lines provide convenient access from downtown Kyoto.
No, prior knowledge isn't required. The museum conveys the stories through models and videos for easy understanding, and visitors are introduced to the story line and main characters through life-size sets and exhibitions. However, some English translations are available, though the museum primarily appeals to those familiar with the tale.
The permanent exhibition features "Heian no Ma" (room of Heian-kyo) and "Uji no Ma" (room of Uji) with themes of Hikaru Genji and the "10 Quires of Uji," connected by a futuristic drum bridge. The museum displays the culture of the Imperial Court of the Heian period, aristocrats' costumes, and residential furnishings through projected images, models, and exhibitions. There's also a video exhibition room with films about the story.
Most visitors spend approximately 1-2 hours exploring the museum thoroughly. The museum features dioramas, interactive exhibits, and films that bring the story to life, so allow enough time to experience both the permanent exhibition rooms and the video presentations. The museum works well as part of a larger Uji sightseeing itinerary that includes nearby temples and tea shops.
