Discover Kyoto’s tranquil streets and Arashiyama by bike. Find out what you need to know about touring on two wheels.
Japan is known for its Shinkansen trains, which travel at amazing speeds around the country. However, you can also explore Kyoto’s ancient city at a slower pace.
You can explore endless canals, temples, and forests by bike while travelling around the city.
Kyoto City has a world-class cycling infrastructure that makes it easy to navigate the city streets in an eco-friendly way. We explain all you need to before you get on two wheels.
INDEX
Kyoto is the perfect place for cycling
Best places to rent bicycles in Kyoto City
- Kyoto Eco Trip
- Kyoto Cycling Tour Project
- Fuune
- J-Cycle
Safety, rules and manners
- Local Regulations
- What is the best place to park?
Kyoto City’s best cycling routes
- Take the Philosopher’s Path
- Arashiyama to Tenryuji Temple
- Museum of Kyoto at Nijo Castle
Coastal City Bike Excursion
Discover the wonders of Kyoto City
Why Kyoto is ideal for cycling
You’ll quickly discover that most locals in Kyoto City use bicycles for transportation. Can you ride a bike in Kyoto City? Absolutely! Kyoto City has been consistently named as one of the top cities to explore by bike because the city has taken steps to create a forward-thinking cycling culture.
This culture is aided by the city’s grid-like structure and relatively flat terrain. In the meantime, bike parking lots and sharing services such as Pippa have been heavily invested in. Consider renting a bike during your visit. Locals prefer to ride their bikes over driving.
Top 10 places to rent bicycles in Kyoto City
When you’re near sightseeing districts like Higashiyama or Kamigyo in Kyoto City, it’s easy to find professional bicycle rentals. We’ve compiled a list of the top places to rent a bike in Kyoto City.
Kyoto Eco Trip
Kyoto Eco Trip, located just a few minutes walk from Kyoto Station, is waiting to provide you with an excellent bicycle. There are 11 different types of bikes available, from city bikes for easy riding to electric bikes that will give you more energy at the end. The store offers many other services, such as early morning rental starting at 6.30 am, late night return up to 10 pm, city maps for free, and delivery directly to your hotel.
Kyoto Cycling Tour Project
Kyoto Cycling Tour Project, located just five minutes from Kyoto Station, is another great place to rent reliable bicycles. The store allows users to rent bikes on the same day and return them to another drop-off point for a small charge. You can find city bikes, mountain bikes, and electric bikes for both adults and children.
Fuune
Fuune is the place to go for bicycle rentals if you are in Shimogyo Ward, home of the Kyoto Tower. The store offers a variety of bicycles, including electric bicycles and tandem bikes. The rental fee is for the full 24-hour period. This allows you to cover a lot of ground.
If you want to rent your bike outside of business hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), you must reserve it before 4 p.m. the day before. Returns can be made at any time during the day or at night.
J-Cycle
J-Cycle, located in Shimogyo near Karasuma Street, is the perfect place to explore landmarks such as Nishiki Market or the Museum of Kyoto. You can rent a bicycle at a great price and add accessories such as phone holders, kids’ seats, and helmets.
Safety rules and manners
Kyoto City has a great bike-friendly atmosphere, but it is important to be aware of the local laws and customs before arriving. Consider these tips to ensure a smooth visit, as the rules and regulations may differ from those in your country.
Local Regulations
In Japan, driving and riding are done on the left-hand side of the road. You must always head in the same general direction as the traffic to avoid causing an unsafe situation. On a sidewalk, however, pedestrians will walk to the right.
Also, there are sections of streets that are pedestrian roads. You can ride on them when the sign says shared road, but you should be careful and take off if there are too many pedestrians. In these areas, cyclists are often held accountable for accidents.
After dark, you must always use a bicycle light. Kyoto City has a number of actions that are prohibited when cycling. These can result in a fine of 50,000 yen. Some of these include riding with a partner, using headphones or an umbrella, or riding while intoxicated.
Where are you parking?
Kyoto City laws also cover where and how you can park your bike. You are not allowed to park your bicycle on a pedestrian or regular road, even if it is only for a short time. You may have your bike removed and be charged a fee of 2,300 yen.
Numerous bicycle parking areas are now located around the city. Eight large parking lots are located in the city centre, and many others are near train stations and other landmarks. These parking lots usually cost around 150 yen per day and should make it easy to store your bike.
The best Kyoto City bicycle routes to explore
You now know where you can rent a bike and what the basic rules of the road are. It’s time to start planning your trip around the city. There are many routes to choose from that span the city of Kyoto and beyond. Three sightseeing tours that will provide visitors with an enjoyable experience are listed below.
Ride The Philosopher’s Walk
The Philosopher’s Path is one of many charming paths in Kyoto. But few are as tranquil as this 2.3-kilometer stretch. This 2.3-kilometer walk is located in Sakyo Ward, between Ginkaku-ji Temple and Nanzen-ji Temple. It runs along a quiet canal and has lush trees and plants swaying above.
You’ll find shrines, cafes and galleries along the path. If you go at the right time, you may also see cherry blossoms. Keep in mind, however, that the Philosopher’s Walk is an extremely popular destination. You may have to dismount your bike to navigate certain areas safely.
Arashiyama and Tenryuji Temple
Arashiyama is located on the western edge of Kyoto. It’s a beautiful wilderness area with idyllic rivers, bamboo forests, and a wide range of wildlife. This 18-kilometre journey from the city centre will take a lot of energy, but your efforts will be rewarded with a beautiful landscape that changes as the seasons change.
You can also stop to admire the ancient temples that are scattered along the streets and pathways. The Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple is one of the five greatest Zen temples in Kyoto. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Museum of Kyoto at Nijo Castle
The Museum of Kyoto to Nijo Castle Cycling Route takes you on a relaxed ride through the heart of Kyoto. It starts at Kyoto City Hall, in the Nakagyo Ward. You’ll arrive at the Museum of Kyoto after pedalling along Takakura-dori Street, which is lined with trees.
You’ll ride back to Horikawa Street after viewing the latest exhibits and displays of Kyoto’s long history. Take a right turn, and you’ll arrive at Njio Castle. It was built in 1603. This tour takes about 30 minutes to complete. It is an easy way to discover some of Kyoto’s most popular destinations.
Coastal City Bike Excursion
Kyoto is not a city that you can only explore within its boundaries. Kyoto Prefecture stretches northwards to the beautiful Sea of Japan. This makes it an ideal location for a city bike tour along the coast.
Travellers will find a sandy beach with shallow and clear waters when they depart from Shotenkyo Beach, located in Kyotango City, approximately three hours away from Kyoto, by JR Hashidate Limited Express Train. You will then ride slightly inland to the breathtaking Kirifuri Falls, which cascade through dense forest.
After riding for about two hours through the countryside, riders will arrive in the historic village of Ine. They’ll have a seafood meal at Funaya Shokudo. After a beautiful ride along the coast, you will reach Kasamatsu Park. Here, a world-class vantage point looks across the Tango-Amanohashidate-Oeyama Quasi-National Park – another striking UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You’ll finish the day by pedalling around the Asoumi Sea to the Kanabiki Waterfalls. You can watch the water from a shrine and gazebo, which is listed as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. It’s only a short walk to the spectacular Imafuku waterfall.
Explore the wonders and beauty of Kyoto City.
Kyoto City is easy to explore with an eco-friendly mindset. Many bike rental shops make it simple to find reliable rides to navigate the city. Kyoto is one of Japan’s best-known cities, and it’s also easy to reach from Tokyo.
Learn more about environmentally friendly bike courses
You can fly from Kansai International Airport to Osaka International Airport within 1 hour and 15 minutes. The JAL Japan Explorer Pass offers a convenient way to travel throughout the country. It includes domestic flights for more than 30 cities.
