Itoh Kyuemon - Byodo-in Temple — Restaurant in Uji

You have to queue if you are here, there isn't much choice in Uji. Though it's a much shorter queue here compared to Nakatanidou. I queued for around 30 mins. We got a seat next to the garden which looks pretty good. Food here is mid. I felt that the food is slightly bland and you can't really taste the matcha. Dessert is alright, looks good but taste average. Staff attitude wasn't very nice, they just put the food down and walk off without saying anything. You also have to alert them if you want to refill your hojicha. Matcha cappuccino is alright but I didn't like the hot matcha tea.

Bought my souvenir here because there was discount coupon from my meal here. The souvenirs taste pretty good. But staff was unhelpful, I wasn't sure which one was matcha or normal tea. I approached the staff but he just looks annoyed and pointed to the matcha section. I just bought what he pointed. Turns out it was only the culinary grade, not the ceremonial grade type of matcha. Wanted to buy it as a gift for my brother. Luckily, he drinks the matcha with milk anyway, so the grade of matcha doesn't really affect the taste, just...

You always know what you're getting with Itouhkyuemon—reliable quality, no tourist traps, and matcha products that actually live up to the hype. The Byodoin branch is no exception.

Everything here was beautifully presented, and the matcha flavor is rich and well-balanced—not overly sweet like many others. That said... nearly everything was sold out when we arrived! Clearly, it’s that popular. I was low-key upset (in the best way) because I wanted to buy more!

Highly recommended for visitors—come early if you want the full selection. If you’re a matcha lover, this is a...

I love their matcha cookies so much! I tried them once in 2020 when I bought them as a souvenir after living in Japan as a student. When I got back home and tried them, I fell in love and saved the box so I could find them in the future. I finally went back to Japan in 2024 and I casually found this shop and couldn’t believe it! I bought many boxes of these cookies, along with other products from their shop and all I can say is that those cookies are the best (they are thin with matcha chocolate inside)!!! The other...