This is a special cycling tour which helps you feel the genuine Kyoto and the local vibes. We will be following cycling routes which were carefully selected by experienced staff at Kyoto’s largest bicycle rental company, serving about 30,000 people a year.
Departure Time
①8:30AM ②1:30PM
Duration
3.5 hours
Meeting Point
Kyoto Eco Trip Flagship
Maximum capacity
Up to 6 participants (small group tour)
¥14000
ROUTE
Duration: 3.5 hours
1:Sanju-sangendo Temple (Inner Temple Visit included) A breathtaking sight of 1,001 golden statues standing in a hall about 120 meters long. As Japan’s longest wooden structure, this temple is truly one of a kind. It is a mystical sanctuary where each statue has a unique expression.
2:Gion District A special historic district where Maiko live and perform traditional arts. Filled with classic architecture and a refined atmosphere, it is one of the most beautiful historic areas in Japan.
3:Shirakawa Traditional townhouses line the peaceful Shirakawa River. With its weeping willows and stone-paved streets, this is Kyoto’s most atmospheric district. It is a famous filming location seen in many movies and TV shows.
4:Nanzenji Temple (Inner Temple Visit included) A popular destination featuring a massive temple gate and a stunning brick aqueduct. With its rich history harmonizing with the changing seasons, this is one of Kyoto’s most unique photo spots.
5:Heian Shrine A massive vermilion gate towers over the streets of Kyoto. Featuring vibrant architecture from the Meiji era, this shrine offers a perfect blend of traditional beauty and open space. It is one of Kyoto’s most photogenic and iconic landmarks.
6:Kamo River A beloved river flowing through the heart of Kyoto. It is a peaceful spot where the gentle riverside breeze meets local life and scenic beauty. Here, you can fully enjoy the changing colors of the seasons.
AVAILABLE COURSES
Morning Tour
7:30 AM Start (3.5h) Meet at: Kyoto Eco Trip Flagship
・This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
・The tour may finish later than 12:00 PM due to weather, traffic, or unexpected delays. Please ensure you have plenty of time to spare for your next plans.
・For your safety, please follow your guide’s instructions.
・Comfortable shoes and clothes are recommended.
・Minimum age is 13 years old. If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by your parent or guardian.
・Minimum height is 145 cm. Infant seats are not available. All participants must be able to ride a bicycle confidently on their own.
・This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers, or individuals with back problems or heart conditions.
・If you don’t show up in time, you might not be able to join the tour.
The owner is kind and gives great directions! The problem was that I have a terrible sense of direction and kept getting lost, so I installed an app called Navitime and used it to listen to directions on my way there and back. If you search, several options will probably pop up, but I used the one with the bicycle icon. It was free for a month. I rode a regular bike to Arashiyama instead of an electric one, and it took about two and a half hours round trip from the shop to the parking lot near Arashiyama. However, that was because I kept getting lost. The original estimate was probably around two hours. Also, if you go to Arashiyama and get lost trying to find a parking lot, just search for "Arashiyama parking lot" and head to the one that pops up.
Rented electric bikes for a day. Received instructions in English, a cycling map, and water. Great bikes with a handy basket on the front. Close to Kyoto station, so a great pick-up location. Very friendly staff, and you can pick up extra early and return late for a small extra charge. Highly recommended!
Good bikes, within walking distance of Kyoto station. Friendly service with explanations and honest information. We even got some money back because we returned a bit earlier than we had reserved.
We received extensive information with maps about sights and the best ways to get there, although we did have to consult the navigation on our phones frequently.
Fantastic experience. Seriously, what a great time we had! They even had frozen water available, which was a lifesaver on a hot day. The best part? We ended up returning the bike a bit late, and they were totally cool about it. It made the whole experience so much more relaxed. Definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a hassle-free rental.
Great service, bikes in great condition. Location is great next to the station, perfect explanations and guidelines from the stuff, helpful maps for the trip.
Highly recommended if you are in Kyoto looking to rent bikes.
Very convenient location (near Kyoto station)! The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, and I really enjoy the simplicity of the rental transaction, instead of having to get an app to use a bike share service.
The rental service is an excellent way to explore Kyoto, and the staff will even provide you with a physical Kyoto map and give you route suggestions depending on what you want to do and see!
The prices are affordable, and the package options are flexible; you can pay an extra few hundred yen for an earlier/later return time. I’ve used this service both times I’ve been to Kyoto; highly recommend! 🙂
We rented bikes for our entire stay in Kyoto. The company is easily accessible from Kyoto station, which is very convenient. We were welcomed by a friendly man who gave us a detailed and clean explanation. The bikes were in perfect state and riding on them was very nice. The price was extremely reasonable and they offer a pick up/drop of service which came in very handy. But the most important thing is: seeing Kyoto on a (electric) bicycle is 100% the way to do it. We got to go the more calm and unique tourist spots and discovered a lot during our stay. We saw beautiful places and sights we otherwise never would have seen. No doubt this is the way to do Kyoto and you should definitely choose this company.
The staff were very kind and told me the estimated travel time to my destination. They also informed me about the cherry blossom blooming status, which allowed me to enjoy the cherry blossoms while cycling.
Cycling is the best way to get around Kyoto. Taipa is great value for money. This time, I toured Kyoto's famous springs and traditional Japanese confectionery shops. Because many places are located on narrow alleys, I was able to enjoy Kyoto smoothly without having to worry about finding parking or navigating one-way streets. The service was also polite, thank you very much.
A great way to self guide your way through Kyoto. They have all types of bike combinations and provide all accessories including locks, helmets and recommended route map etc. Prices are very reasonable and are all day from 9am to 6pm. Would do again if in Kyoto.
Friendly and flexible staff, issued with a good cycle map, great location close to the station, reasonable price. The only reason to rate 4 and not 5 stars is that none of the bikes fit my height (close to 2 meters). Ideally they should stock some larger frames for tall people. Many renters must be of European origin who tend to be a bit taller!
On the second day of our Kyoto trip, my wife, my son, and I rented bicycles. But right after we paid and started riding, my wife said she hadn’t ridden a bike for over ten years and seemed to have forgotten how. We practiced for more than an hour in a small alley near the rental shop before heading out to the road, but even after that, I felt it would be too dangerous for her to ride alongside cars on public streets.
So, we went back to the rental shop to return the bicycles and asked to pay only for the time we had used them and get a refund for the rest. However, the shop owner and the female staff member kindly refunded the full amount. They had given us detailed explanations earlier—about sightseeing routes, how to ride safely, and where to park—knowing we were foreigners (Koreans). They were genuinely concerned about my wife’s safety, and although I insisted several times on paying at least for one or two hours of rental, they politely refused to accept it.
I was very touched by their kindness and developed an even warmer feeling toward Japanese people. On the same day, we also helped an elderly man who was about to collapse at Kyoto Station by supporting him and putting him into a taxi. Even though he seemed unwell, he thanked us very politely, which also left a strong impression.
Experiences like these accumulate and shape a very positive image of the people of this country. I wholeheartedly recommend Kyoto Eco Trip, a bicycle rental shop run by such kind and thoughtful people.
Cycling along the river is the best way to enjoy Kyoto. It is nice to be away from the crowed places and feel how the local lives. The rental price is very reasonable. Early rental and late return are possible with small amount of extra fee. The bike is well maintained. The cycling map they provided gives all the information one needs including the parking spots in the city.
Yuka was amazing. The instructional video was very good. This is the only place i go to to rent bicycles whenever im in Kyoto. It is my 10th+++ time using their bicycles, i've lost count. They will give u a 100yen discount on your subsequent visits. It is conveniently located close to Kyoto station. They have many different types of bicycles to rent from. Prices are affordable too. I tried the electric bicycle this time and loved it. Speed was great, battery lasted from 10am to 6pm on the fastest speed. Kamogawa river is my favorite place to relax!