Kyoto seems ageless. Located in the Kansai Region, the image of Kyoto is immortalized from tangible things such as architecture to the intangible ones like their way of life. Temples, old charming houses, and people wearing kimono will either transport you to the past or make you realise that tradition lives on in the heart and soul of Kyoto. Nature is abundant, trees are everywhere and mountains surround the city that used to be Japan’s capital. With various ways to explore the city, how about discovering Kyoto in the most fun way? Taking a bicycle or bike tour is arguably the best way to see the city by cruising from destination to destination. Cycle your way through the streets, see marvelous sights of the town from its houses to temples, and immerse yourself in the overall atmosphere of Kyoto. With guidance through the popular spots of the city, here are the best bike tours in Kyoto.
1. Get introduced to Kyoto (from USD 114.0)
Chances are, Kyoto Central Station is your first stop before touring the city. Walk about a minute or two to Cycle Kyoto where the ultimate Kyoto bike tour begins! Start at 09:30 am for the full 6 to 7 hours’ ride across the town and pass and stop at the best spots. Take a moment to be amazed by the wooden Nishi Honganji Temple and pass by Kyoto Imperial Palace to get a glimpse of history. Have a Japanese lunch and end the tour at Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine where an estimated 1000 torii or traditional gates form a majestic path to the outer shrine.
Small-Group Full-Day Cycle Tour: Highlights of Kyoto
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
2. Check out the top five highlights of Kyoto (from USD 199.0)
Join this tour to get the best of Kyoto’s old charm by cycling your way to temples, traditional neighborhoods, and an icon of the city. As the name implies, you will stop at five destinations including Bamboo Forest Street and Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. The bike tour will also take you to Gion District where you can find Japanese traditional female performers known as geisha. With light lunch, snacks, and bottled water included, the guided bilingual tour will end at Kinkakuji Temple with its famous golden pavilion.
5 Top Highlights of Kyoto with Kyoto Bike Tour
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
3. Ride through the Bamboo Forest (from USD 130.0)
Nature and spirituality come alive in Kyoto. One of the best places to witness the harmony of both is at Arashiyama with all its temples and surrounding bamboo trees. Located in the lower part of the Arashiyama Mountains, you have to steer away from the center of Kyoto to get to this area. This tour will offer you a bike ride through Arashiyama’s best places including Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and even some hidden spots. Start at 8 am with a maximum of 7 people for the tour, a guide will give you information on the culture and history of the area.
Arashiyama Bamboo Bike Tour (Early Bird)
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
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4. Tour via narrow alleyways (from USD 78.0)
When entering Gion in Kyoto, you may feel like being transported into the past through a time machine. Truth is, this entertainment district with restaurants and tea houses made out of wood remains unchanged since the old days. Famous for housing the female traditional entertainers known as geisha and maiko (geisha apprentice), you can see them roam the streets of Gion in their traditional attire, hair, and makeup. Besides walking, touring with a bike can be a fun way to explore the alleys and corners of Gion. From popular spots to secret areas, discover it all.
Secrets of Gion Bike Tour
Duration: 4 hours
5. Explore the hidden corners of Kyoto (from USD 101.0)
Bike to North Kyoto for some beautiful architecture such as temples and find tranquility in the greenery. Start at the large wooden Nishi Honganji and end at the geisha district of Gion. Shrines, temples, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace are other places that the bike tour will take you. A Japanese lunch and a bottle of water that accompany your ride are included in this tour.
Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto plus Lunch
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
6. Go off-the-beaten paths to intimate Zen gardens (from USD 94.0)
Tour Kyoto finest spots and some of the less-known places with an electronic bicycle or e-bike for a fun-filled day. With a distance of 4.9 mi (8 km), the bike tour is an easy route that explores the best of Kyoto such as Kinkakuji Temple and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Cycle effortlessly with its built-in motor or pedal through the main route, backstreets, and even some intimate Zen gardens.
Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour
Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
7. Pedal through the remarkable streets (from USD 50.0)
Join this small-group bike tour through Kyoto for a more intimate and personalized experience. With a local guide who speaks English, the group only takes a maximum number of nine people per tour. Cycle your way under the morning sun to destinations such as Nanzen-Ji Temple and Heian Shrine. This tour will also pass by Tetsugaku no Michi or Philosopher’s Path which has a canal in the middle and plenty of cherry trees. Why do the Japanese call it Philosopher’s Path? Find out on the tour!
Kyoto Sightseeing Small-Group Bike Tour with Guide
Duration: 3 hours
8. Traverse the trendy neighborhoods (from USD 136.0)
Tour Kyoto like a local with only a local guide that accompanies you to see some sights. Start at Pontocho with many restaurants and bars in traditional houses then go to places like the Kamogawa River and also the Philosopher’s Path. The tour also stops at the Demachi shopping arcade to see a slice of Kyoto living. Meet some locals and see all their activities, come join the private tour to experience it all.
Kyoto by Bike Private Tour
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
9. Embark on a private morning bike tour (from USD 75.0)
Another private bicycle tour that takes you on a ride through Kyoto’s wonderful outdoors. Start the tour early in the morning for some sightseeing and stop at famous sites in Kyoto. Cycle and discover nature such as mountains and cultures, and temples in private. Follow the guide to places where locals go on about their ways such as the Philosopher’s Path and the Kamo River
Kyoto Private Morning Cycling Tour with Path of Philosophy
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
10. Participate in the exciting water-theme bike tour (from USD 57.0)
Join this electric bicycle tour with a wireless earpiece that tells stories of unknown places in Kyoto. From the ancient well Kanawa no Ido to a waterfall near Nanzen Ji Temple. The tour also takes you to UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Tadasu No Mori Grove. After the last stop in Miyagawacho Kaburenjo, tea and snacks are provided.
The Hidden Water Cycling Tour of Kyoto
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
See Kyoto on the two-wheeled wonder
With a tradition that lives alongside culture and nature, Kyoto is a magnificent city that represents the ageless charm of Japan. Tour the city with a bicycle and discover its history and culture through places like the geisha district of Gion, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine, Philosopher’s Path, and Kinkakuji Temple. Pick a tour to your liking and ride the two-wheeled wonder in Kyoto!
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Kyoto Guide -The Embodiment of Japan's Culture and NatureTrip101 Editorial -
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