Getting Around Uji
Uji is a compact city on the southern outskirts of Kyoto, and its main sights sit along the Uji River. Most visitors find they can cover the historic center on foot, using trains only to arrive and to reach the few outlying temples. The information below covers the rail network, buses, taxis, walkability, and how to reach Uji from the airport.
Arriving by Rail
Uji is served by three rail companies: JR West, Keihan, and Kintetsu. For most visitors, the JR station is the most convenient way in. It sits on the JR Nara Line, which runs between Kyoto and Nara, and the main riverside sights are a short walk from the station. The station is served by both local and express trains, and the Japan Rail Pass covers this line.
The Keihan station is on the other side of the river, but it is slightly closer to most of the sights. The Keihan Uji Line runs from Chushojima and ends along the river at Keihan Uji Station, right beside Uji Bridge. All trains on this line stop at every station. This route can be a good alternative if you are planning a day trip from Osaka and don't have a JR pass. Note that Keihan is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Kintetsu serves West Uji with a line between Kyoto and Nara, but it has no station named for the town and no stations close to the main tourist sites. That line is primarily used by commuters.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Local buses have routes in the city, and public transportation is generally good. Buses are particularly useful for reaching sights away from the center: they connect both JR Uji Station and Keihan Uji Station with Mimurotoji Temple. Charter buses to and from Kansai International (KIX) and Itami airports can be caught at most of the train stations.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material does not describe taxi or ride-hailing services in Uji. Given how compact the center is and how well the rail and bus networks connect the main sights, most visitors will not need a taxi for getting around town.
Walking
Uji is quite compact, and it is possible to cover everything in one day by simply strolling along the river. With a few exceptions, most of the important historical sites are in walking distance of one another and all are easily accessed by rail. Both JR Uji Station and Keihan Uji Station are each about a ten-minute walk from Byodoin Temple. JR Uji Station is south of the Uji River, while Keihan Uji Station is north of the river, across Uji Bridge.
Most attractions, apart from Mampukuji and Mimurotoji temples, are in the town center near Byodoin Temple and the Uji River, and that center is entirely walkable. Mampukuji and Mimurotoji are farther out; good walkers can reach them in about thirty minutes from the river. For Mampukuji Temple, the most convenient access is a short walk from Obaku Station.
You will probably not need a map, but if you want one, they are available at either of the tourist offices. A pleasant riverside walk also begins directly across from Keihan Uji Station: the route to the base of the Amagase Dam follows the river on a paved road and offers access to several grassy open spaces where you can rest and picnic.
Tickets and Passes
Fares and schedules are subject to change, so check current prices when you travel. If you plan to use Keihan services, note that Keihan railways offer a special Kyoto–Osaka sightseeing pass giving unlimited rides for one or two days. This can be cheaper than a return ticket and also allows you to travel to Kyoto. The pass is not valid on JR, and the Japan Rail Pass is not valid on Keihan.
Getting There from the Airport
The source material does not detail direct rail or bus connections from the airport into Uji itself. What it does note is that charter buses to and from Kansai International (KIX) and Itami airports can be caught at most of the train stations, which makes the rail-plus-airport-bus combination a practical option. Otherwise, the standard approach is to reach Kyoto or Osaka first and then connect to Uji by rail: the JR Nara Line links Kyoto and Uji, while the Keihan route is a good alternative for day trips from Osaka, with a change at Chushojima.