Cycling is a great way to see all that Tokyo has to offer. From the green spaces of Yoyogi Park to the glitzy Ginza streets to traditional areas and waterways, Tokyo is worth exploring on two wheels.
Even locals praise cycling in the city. Whether it’s on a day of leisure or to get to work, it is a great way to avoid the crowds.
There are many ways to enjoy the city. Read on to learn more about the top bike tours in Tokyo. Discover the best routes to see the sights and the best way to navigate this unforgettable metropolis.
Is Tokyo bike-friendly?
Source: Shutterstock, Kae B Yuki.Absolutely. It’s amazing how many people in the area commute by bike.
Tokyo is a great city for cycling, thanks to its many bike lanes. You can also ride along the sidewalk if you prefer.
Source: Shutterstock, D.Cunningham.Renting a bicycle in Tokyo is easy, especially if you go to a local shop such as Tokyo.
You can also rent a bike at the Docomo Luup or Hello Cycling stations scattered around the city.
You’ll be amazed at how easy it will be to navigate around Tokyo. You can often reach your destination faster by cycling. Tokyo is a vast city, but many of its areas are flat. There are only a handful of hills to negotiate.
One of the quickest routes to get from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo Station is by bicycle. It takes only 30 minutes. Not bad for a commute in a large city!
There are bike paths in Tokyo.
Source: Shutterstock, Wissuta. On. Tokyo has a wide range of cycle paths and courses. Paths run along rivers like Sumida and through parks like Wadabori. Many residential bike lanes connect major stations, and some sidewalks have bicycle lanes.
The Arakawa Cycling Route, a 173 km route along the river that offers glimpses of Mount Fuji is one such longer path. Fuji, on a nice day. You can also enjoy full-day excursions and longer routes outside the city. One of the most popular is Lake Tama – the inspiration for Totoro.
Is a motorcycle license required to ride in Japan?
Source: Shutterstock, ZW_Photography.No license is needed for bicycles in Japan.
When purchasing a bike, you should keep two things in mind:
- Register your bike with the Bicycle Theft Prevention Registration System. You can register in a bicycle store and present the registration label attached to your bike.
- In certain cities like Tokyo, it is mandatory to have bicycle liability coverage.
Both are included in the rental price if you rent a bike.
Here are some more tips to keep in mind when you’re cycling around Tokyo.
- Do not ring the bell at pedestrians. Ride slowly on sidewalks.
- Bicycles should ride in single file on the left side of the road.
- Watch out for cars and taxis, and be aware of parked cars and buses.
- The law requires that you have a front light at night. If your vehicle does not have one, the police may stop you.
- Parking your bicycles in designated areas is recommended. Bikes parked illegally will be removed.
- Use a lock. Japan is a safe country, but bikes are still stolen.
- While cycling, it is against the law to consume alcohol.
- It is fine to hold a mobile phone or an umbrella when cycling.
6 Best Bike Tours in Tokyo
1. Ramen is a popular Japanese dish that you can enjoy while riding a bike in Tokyo
It’s hard to find a better way to get a great appetite than by cycling around Tokyo’s vibrant Shibuya and Shimokitazawa districts. This tour will take you on a journey through Shimokitazawa’s trendy streets to find the best local ramen.
This ramen expert, who has visited over 2,000 restaurants in Japan, will take you through the history and customs of ramen. Your guide will take you to the best-hidden spots in Shibuya, where you can get a bowl of gourmet ramen.
Tell your guide what style of ramen you prefer, or let them decide.
Book Ramen Bike Tours in Tokyo with the Ramen Adventurer
2. Enjoy a Shibamata bicycle tour, including lunch and coffee
Shibamata is a Tokyo neighbourhood that’s rich in Showa-era retro appeal, temples and shopping streets, as well as cycling roads. This tour uses smaller, foldable bikes that are easy to transport around the area.
The guide will then take you to a local restaurant for lunch (which includes gluten-free and pescatarian options) and through the beautiful Mizumoto Park, Tokyo’s largest waterfront park. The tour ends with a final stop at a bike-friendly café.
This retro area is a great way to see the contrast between modern city life and traditional wooden architecture.
Book Backstreets Shibamata Private Bike Tour with Lunch & Coffee
3. Take a foodie bike tour in Tokyo
Discover the neighbourhoods of Nakano and Koenji on a restored “mamachari” or mom’s bicycle. You’ll find that these bikes aren’t just for mothers. Salarymen, fathers, and even teenagers use them to get around.
You will enjoy the charm of these neighbourhoods as you wind along local, narrow streets away from tourists for lunch in a salaryman-style and two stops at street food.
The tour lasts only 3.5 hours so that you can enjoy Tokyo from the perspective of a local.
Book Tokyo Local Bike Tours for Foodies with
4. Discover the backstreets of Tokyo on a bike tour
Asakusa is a popular tourist destination, but it has a rich history. Many locals have lived in this area for many generations. You’ll be able to taste some of the local favourites, such as yakitori grilled tilapia and Odenand Sakura mochi.
These mom-and-pop shops are not usually on the radar of tourists, but they are great places to get fuel for your trip!
In winter, try the oden steamed in the winter. Ask your guide about other food options.
Backstreets of Tokyo Bike Tour Book
5. This Tokyo tour combines bike and boat.
If you’re looking for a little more adventure, take a trip to Tokyo via bicycle and boat, stopping at Asakusa and Tsukiji, as well as historic temples and shrines. You can also enjoy a seafood lunch and explore the old parts of Tokyo.
This 7-hour tour will take you through Tokyo, giving you some of the best views from a riverboat. The tour takes you both on and off-shore to explore hidden local areas. This includes two medieval religious sites and river cruise breaks that allow you to take in the city while resting your legs.
Book a bike and boat tour of Asakusa Tsukiji and Fukagawa
6. Asakusa Bike Tour: Cycle through Tokyo
The 4-hour Foodie Cycling Tour takes you to the East Areas of Tokyo. You will visit Asakusa, with its beautiful views of the Tokyo Skytree, and Ryogoku, the center of sumo in Japan.
While exploring the shopping streets and seeing the city from the other side of the river, you can sample classic snacks such as sakura-mochi, warabi mochi, and sweet potato cake, as well as savoury dumplings made with octopus (takoyaki).
The tour also offers gluten-free, pescatarian and vegan options. Please let your guide or driver know if any special dietary needs are required.
Book Private Asakusa Foodie Bike Tour: Sensoji & Local Snacks
The best 13 cycling routes in Tokyo
Source: Shutterstock, Hiroshi-Mori-Stock.
1. Full Tokyo Course
Start in Tsukiji and ride westward to the glitzy Ginza, Azabu, and Roppongi Hills area. Continue westward to Aoyama, then northward to Omotesando and Kagurazaka, passing Yoyogi Park. To reach the Imperial Palace or Tokyo Station, follow the road to the northeast.
If you want to experience a more traditional atmosphere, head north to Yanasen and Yanaka, then continue south to Akihabara to see the neon streets.
2. Shinjuku Night Ride to Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Tower
Start your journey at dusk by walking through the streets of Shinjuku. Continue westward to Akebonobashi. Then, climb up the streets lined with ginkgo trees of Yasukuni.
Take the east route through the old streets of Kuramae and Asakusa, then up to Sensoji. Then, cross the river to reach Sumida City Park, at the foot of the Tokyo Skytree.
You can also cycle past Meiji Jingu Gaien and down Roppongi hills to Shiba Park, which is at the foot of Tokyo Tower.
3. Mini Tokyo course
Start your journey in the green Inokashira Park on the west of Tokyo, then head east towards Shinjuku. Climb slightly to the northeast to reach Bunkyo and cycle around the Imperial Palace to the north.
4. Full Eastside Course
Source: Shutterstock, Ned Snowman. Start near Tokyo Station and make your way through Ginza, Tsukiji and Kuramae. Then, follow the river up to Asakusa, across the Sumida River to Ryogoku and finish at Tokyo Skytree. Tsukuda Island is a wonderful place to stop for a picnic.
5. Mini Eastside Course
Cycling around the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station and having dinner in Akasaka or Asakusa is a great way to experience traditional gardens and parks and get a feel for the more upscale areas.
6. Tokyo Bay and Odaiba Eastside Course
Start from Asakusa and move south to Toyosu. Then, cross the bridges near Odaiba to see the stunning sunset over Tokyo Bay.
After the sun sets, you can return across the Rainbow Bridge and enjoy the city lights.
7. Eastside Otaku: Akihabara to Ikebukuro at night
Source: Shutterstock, Ear New Boo. Start your night ride in Akihabara if you are interested in Japanese subcultures such as anime, manga, or Japanese culture. You can stop in stores and enjoy the neon displays. Ikebukuro is another Japanese subculture hotspot.
This area hosts major anime conventions, events and city lights and is a rival to Shibuya and Akihabara.
8. Ueno & Sumida: Eastside escapes in the city
You can escape the city’s hustle and bustle by cycling north through Ueno Park or east to the Sumida River.
9. Shinjuku westside night ride
Start your journey near Shinjuku Chuo Park and take in the Tokyo Metropolitan Building. Then, head east towards Kabukicho, in the northeast.
After Shinjuku Gyoen, stay close to the station and head south to Kitasando. If it is late, you can ride down Takeshita-dori which is Harajuku’s main street, where people are usually crowded.
If you’re feeling tired, head west to Yoyogi Park.
10. Yoyogi Park and the Westside’s posh neighbourhoods
Source: Shutterstock, the end up. You can cycle through the chic boutiques of Nishi Hara to Yoyogi Uehara at the bottom of the hill. Stop by the many local cafés and coffee shops (including vegetarian options) before climbing the steep hills of Yoyogi.
11. Tokyo’s street food and hip Westside neighbourhoods
From Shinjuku, head southwest to Shimokitazawa, where you can find retro shops and cafés. Then, move south to Sangenjaya, a street food area that’s popular among locals but not yet with tourists.
12. Westside greenery
Source: Shutterstock, greenboy328.From Shinjuku, head north to Nakano and then west to Wadabori Park. Visit the local museum, which features a traditional Japanese house. Then, ride west into the Inokashira Park woods.
Kichijoji has some of the most retro izakaya bars.
13. The cutting-edge culture of bike shops
If you are a cyclist, you’ve probably heard of Blue Lug. Start in Hatagaya, just west of Shinjuku, and then take a short ride to Woodville Cycles. This friendly bike shop has some modern, interesting ideas.
You can visit Brotures in Harajuku for fixed-gear specialists, or you can head to Yanaka Ginza to experience a classic Tokyo Bike Experience. Finally, you can cross the Sumida River and talk to JD Cycle Tech. Then, it’s just a short ride up to Tokyo Skytree to finish your tour.
There’s no better way to explore Tokyo than on a bike. Why not add a few extra stops to your Tokyo cycling itinerary when you are ready to start your adventure?
Check out our guide on how to climb Mount Fuji if you want to stay active. Join one of our Tokyo bar-hopping or food tours if you prefer to learn about the city from a local.
