Cycle past a mix of Kyoto’s most-famous sights and its lesser-known secrets during this half-day ‘Hidden Kyoto’ bike tour. Take a 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) ride that starts by winding past iconic Kyoto temples and shrines like Kinkakuji, Koto-in, and Kitano Tenmagu. You’ll continue ‘off the beaten path,’ discovering intimate Zen gardens and charming backstreets known only to locals.

Explore a mix of Kyoto's lesser-known sights and top attractions on this 'hidden' bike tour
Enjoy a safe, easy, cycle ride of 4.9 miles (8 kilometers) that's suitable for all fitness levels and anyone over age 13
Visit top Kyoto temples like the UNESCO-listed Kinkakuji and Kitano Tenmagu
Escape the tourists as you visit Kyoto's quiet side streets and intimate Zen gardens known only to locals
Foldable rental bike and helmet included
Great way to see more than the typical guidebook attractions in Kyoto

What's Included

English-speaking route coordinator
Rental bike
Rental helmet
Water

Food and drinks, unless specified

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

NORU Kyoto Bike Tours
429-22 Takigahanachō, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8336, Japan
Please use google maps and search NORU KYOTO BIKE TOURS Look for our green TripAdvisor flag outside the Cycle Village bike shop

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Start your cycle adventure in the morning at Kyoto’s NORU bicycle shop. After getting outfitted with an included bike and helmet. From there you’ll begin a laid-back, 4.3-mile (7-kilometer) ride that highlights an eclectic mix of top tourist attractions in Kyoto along with some of the city’s best-kept secrets and under-appreciated scenery. Anyone over the age of 13 should be able to enjoy this easy, safe, and fun ride with minimal effort.

Check out some of Kyoto’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples and shrines like Kinkakuji, along with other key religious sites including Daitokuji Temple Complex and Kitanotenmangu Temple. You’ll continue by pedaling well-off the Kyoto’s typical tourist path, seeking out some of the city’s more intimate spaces, lesser-known side streets and quiet Zen gardens. In other words, it’s a perfect chance to ‘go beyond your guidebook’ while experiencing a different side of this historic Japanese city.

Finish your trip back at your original starting point at the end of your ride.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Minimum age is 13 years
No-shows or missed bookings due to lateness are nonrefundable
Not wheelchair accessible
Must arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time, we depart promptly at 9 am or 1 pm if we do not hear from you
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for pregnant travellers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Featured review

Tony_G

This was one of our favourite Japanese experiences. Yuta was a brilliant guide, taking us through back streets and local haunts, with some interesting and knowledgable insights. We loved it all and cannot recommend more highly.

Reviews

5.0

568 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 568 reviews

An experience off the beaten track? This is it :)

Britta_B, Oct 2023

Yuta - an awesome Guide took us on an amazing tour through Kyoto. He showed us really hidden gems - the choice of which was very excellent. Off the beaten track he showed us magic places. Very knowledgeable, eloquent and a very good sense of humour. Thank you so much once more Yuta.

Amazing! A highlight of our 2 weeks in Japan. Truly hidden gems and a fun way to explore with a lovely guide 🤩🏯🪷

Ann_N, Sept 2023

Our guide, Ytah (“Utah”, sorry if I misspelled) was lovely and knowledgeable. He was so thoughtful of the needs of everyone and went out of his way to share information- he made the entire tour special. We would have never found these spots if we had only rented bikes. They were truly hidden gems! A Buddhist temple with no other tourists in sight, 1000 year old tea and traditional sweets spot (the sweets were delicious!!!), quiet backstreets through traditional neighborhoods, etc! Great exercise if you want it easy ride with high quality e-bikes. Thank you!!

Perfect Tour!

Lisa_E, Sept 2023

Our guide, Henry, has a passionate interest in all things Japanese which came through in his very interesting descriptions of the sites we visited. He made sure all members of our group were comfortable with the e-bikes and rode at a pace that was perfect for all skill levels. Henry took us to incredible places that weren’t crowded and truly showed us the magical hidden places of Kyoto. We recommend Henry enthusiastically!!

New meets Old in Kyoto

Leon_G, Sept 2023

My wife unfortunately fell off her bike in the first minute so it was not all sunshine and roses. Shawn the guide was very accommodating and gave us a great tour. The experience of Kyoto on an e bike is fantastic but it should be said that a certain level of urban biking experience and confidence is necessary.

Highly recommend, great...

Paula_B, Sept 2023

Highly recommend, great tour, amazing sights and Shaun our guide was very impressive. Visiting locations off the tourist route was a definite highlight. The cycling component was very easy and fun. 10/10!

Loved it

Miriam_E, Sept 2023

This was a great way to see more of Kyoto that we wouldn’t have otherwise. Our guide Henry was super knowledgeable and has a knack for leading a group of all ages. Questions were encouraged and there was time to explore each spot.

Would 100% recommend

Anne_S, Sept 2023

That made this day amazing! He was welcoming, informative, and went above and beyond dry, basics. The stops at kinkaku-hi, the tea house, and the Buddhist temple were truly magical. The bikes made it easy to see so much more. I especially loved the portion of the ride when we went along a beautiful peaceful green river path. Yuma went out if his way to answer all our questions and help us find our next destinations. What a great tour and excellent guide. Loved it

One of the best Kyoto experiences

Tony_G, Sept 2023

Just Book It!

Matt_M, Sept 2023

Great way to see some nice spots in Kyoto. Sean was excellent. Learned and saw a lot of things I wouldn’t have on my own. Highly recommend!

Amazing tour, knowledgeable guides

Bradley_R, Sept 2023

Sean was an amazing tour guide who knew tons of amazing facts and was able to answer everything on Kyoto history! Would highly recommend this tour

Highly recommended bike tour of Kyoto

Aaron_D, Sept 2023

Highly recommend!! Yuta was a fantastic guide, took us long to some fantastic locations, the e-bikes made the trip a breeze (minimal effort required). Yuta was extremely informative, ended up teaching several life lessons along the way too. Did not expect that when booking a bike trip!! Again, can't recommend enough!

Great exploring Kyoto

Andrew_D, Sept 2023

This was a great tour around Kyoto. Sean was a great guide and we had an enjoyable time exploring. The bikes were well maintained and for us almost new.

Best bike tour in Noru Kamigyo

Chris, Sept 2023

Amazing bike tour. Oppurtunity to see a lot of places. Yuta was an awesome tour guide and very knowledgable. A suggestion...would benefit having 2 staff front/back to help keep group together especially when crossing intersections

Highlight of our trip!

Sandra_M, Sept 2023

Henry from Noru Bike Tours was fabulous and made the entire tour a memorable experience. He has a wonderful knowledge of the local area and customs and we learned so much. Highly recommend this tour!

Lovely Tour

Sophie_M, Sept 2023

The tour was very well planned, Henry did a great job providing interesting information and guiding everyone from spot to spot!

Great guide and tour

Mark_N, Aug 2023

We booked 3 tours in Kyoto and although all good, I thought this was the best one. Henry was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Japanese culture and the history of Kyoto.

Experience authentic old Kyoto with the best local guide in the business.

GwynethHarbrow, Aug 2023

Yuta is a wonderful guide, eager to share his local knowledge with his guests. This is my second tour with Yuta and he continues to provide an exceptional experience. Would highly recommend to anyone wishing to experience authentic old Kyoto.

Great Tour!

Lauren_F, Aug 2023

Michael was a fantastic guide. He was friendly, super knowledgeable and great at keeping our two teenagers engaged throughout the tour. We covered excellent ground on the e-bikes and were able to see so many different things in a short amount of time. We would not hesitate to recommend this tour through beautiful Kyoto!

Great tour , great price , especially great guider

Matar_V, Aug 2023

Yuta was our guide, a great experience , and a great guy one day I believe he will be at geisha’s tea houses

Good bike tour

Shawn_R, Aug 2023

Very well run tour with Yuta. He was both enthusiastic and knowledgeable on all the sites. Bikes were in perfect working condition and fun to ride. Highlight was seeing the golden temple and walking the grounds. Unless you enjoy Japanese temples and shrines, this tour may be a bit boring. Riding bikes on busy streets is a little less enjoyable than I thought it would be. Overall a good experience.

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