Active travelers will love the opportunity to explore the northern parts of Kyoto by bike. Your local guide will make sure you don’t get lost, and will show you to back alleys and hidden corners that you might miss otherwise, as well as some of the famous attractions that shouldn’t be missed. Cycle on comfortable bike, and enjoy an authentic Japanese lunch to refuel.

All cycling equipment is included
Temple entrance fees are included
Enjoy a delicious Japanese lunch
Get to know Kyoto on an intimate level by traveling by bike

What's Included

Equipment Rental
Guidance
Bottled water
Japanese Lunch
Lunch
Use of bicycle

Extra Drinks
Optional Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Cycle Kyoto
7 Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8003, Japan
Follow this link: Cycle Kyoto https://maps.app.goo.gl/zdUo5p4LrkHEXmW4A?g_st=ic Head down the alley and you will see the shop!

Start time

10:00 am

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Cycle Kyoto

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Nishi Honganji

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kinkakuji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Kyoto Imperial Palace (Pass By)

Gion

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be over 130cm tall and comfortable riding bikes in urban settings
Infant seats available
Not recommended for travellers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travellers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
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

Reviews

5.0

897 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 897 reviews

Best way of experiencing Kyoto

Gisle_E, Sept 2023

The best way of getting familiar with a new place. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about Kyoto, Japan and language. My best recommendations 👍

A Different Perspective.

VINCENT_D, Sept 2023

Most memorable? Getting a flat. Almost falling twice. But seriously, Indra (tour guide) offering a different perspective of the history and background of the places we visited. I love history and sometimes a different perspective makes one think. It sure did me.

Just book it!

Erika_T, Aug 2023

Of course we went on the hottest day, but our tour guides did the best to accommodate us. We made frequent stops to hydrate, but also were able to enjoy the sites. Shaune was very knowledgable with the history of many of the temples and the history of Kyoto. Loved eating sushi for lunch, which is also included in the tour.

Fantastic

Lynden_B, Aug 2023

This was absolutely fantastic. We had Jay as our guide and he was so knowledgeable and happy to answer all my questions. I had such a good experience with him. I cannot recommend this tour enough. I struggled with the heat and Jay bought cold water to top everyone’s water bottles up.

Perfect tour of Kyoto highlights

STEVE_T, Aug 2023

We had a wonderful day, very hot day but Kevin and Julian were perfect guides and took care of everyone throughout the day and the pace was gentle. We stopped at several temples and beautiful gardens. Lunch was a really nice experience and a highlight was the golden temple. Stunning. Thoroughly recommend this tour. I expect this tour is stunning and different with each season

Awesome experience

ERIN_F, July 2023

It was great from beginning to end. Terry was an awesome guide. The whole family enjoyed learning to count in Japanese along with the many facts about culture, the shrines and temples, and food 😊 We went about 18 miles around Kyoto in 5-6hrs+, a delicious lunch of soba and udon soups, and matcha ice cream at the last stop. Worth every penny. Thank you for a wonderful day!

Kyoto itself is the star of this tour but hiring your own bikes I think you could do just as well.

Amanda_S, July 2023

Kyoto has some wonderful historic sights. However I did find the tour staff poor in greeting and organising and frankly lax on safety.

Fantastic travel option!

Tessa_v, June 2023

Our bike tour was AMAZING. Well worth the money. Mayko was incredibly knowledgeable about the city and so sweet. It was a great way to see Kyoto and I would recommend it to anyone.

Worth it!

Gracie_V, June 2023

We really enjoyed this experience - INDRU was a fantastic guide-knowledgeable, kind and fun. The bikes were easy to ride and the lunch was delicious . INDRU took pictures and he said he would give them to us- looking forward to receiving them! Recommmend!

Fantastic way to see Kyoto with great guide.

Mark_S, June 2023

Mayco was wonderful. She is their only Japanese tour guide and it was great to get everything from her perspective. Visiting the Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples she was able to explain how many Japanese grow up guided by both paths and how they use each. The ride itself was a fantastic way to see the city and the pace was just right for us. The lunch was a fun cultural experience that our kids are still talking about. Mayco was so helpful taking pictures for us, brought sunblock for those that forgot, cold water and answering all our endless questions. What a great day. Thank you !!!

Amazing bike tour! Indra and Kyoto Cycle are the best!

Brian_F, June 2023

Indra was an amazing tour guide and the bike shop was very accommodating for my wife and I, who were running 15 mins late due to some train delays. The bike tour itself was fantastic and a truly great way to experience Kyoto. From Nishi Hongwanji temple to Kinkakuji (golden temple) to biking along the scenic Kamo River and visiting the Gion district and learning the history behind geishas (who are really called geiko but American soldiers messed up the name back in WWII era), the stops were great highlights and interesting. Biking was not too tough but we were definitely very tired at the end of tour from the heat and distance. Fantastic experience and would highly recommend to anyone traveling through or near Kyoto!

Highlight of Kyoto visit

Stuart_B, June 2023

Excellent overview of Kyoto and Japanese culture from our tour guide Indra and a beautiful day of biking through the different areas of Kyoto. Deliciously local lunch and tips for where to visit and eat for the remainder of your visit. Highly recommended!

Great tour

Diane_K, May 2023

The guide’s thorough understanding of Japanese culture. Got to see backstreets and off main roads which I enjoyed. I liked the lunch and going to the shrines. Would recommend this tour.

Best way to see North Kyoto!

Megan_W, May 2023

Fun day out! Indra was very knowledgeable and was a great guide, making for a fun day. Loved cycling the back streets of Kyoto and seeing the temples and shrines. Would do it again!

Amazing!

Tatiana_D, May 2023

Cycling through the small downtown streets of Kyoto was priceless! Really appreciated the attention to detail

Indira was a wonderful...

Susan_H, Apr 2023

Indira was a wonderful guide - so knowledgeable and happy to answer all of my questions! We had a great group to ride around the city with as well. A highlight of our time in Kyoto, highly recommend!

Fun day on a bike!

Glen_P, Apr 2023

Great ride in Kyoto with a knowledgeable guide! Saw great sights and had a super yummy lunch! Well organised and relaxing ride.

Kyoto bike tour

Niall_W, Apr 2023

A really lovely and informative way to see Kyoto. We had an excellent guide in Thierry and the cycling was all around the backstreets so no problem for nervous / novice cyclists. Definitely recommended

Temples and lunch

Mary_H, Apr 2023

Indra was a great guide and knew lots of the history behind the places that we visited. The biking was pretty easy as the part of Kyoto we went to was quite flat. The bikes were comfortable and operated well. Lunch was excellent as well. Personally I could have done without the stop at the Golden Temple as it was heaving with people but that's a minor quibble.

Awesome day cycling through Kyoto!

Victoria_e, Apr 2023

Despite the cold and wind, we had a fabulous trip. Our guide, Terry, was knowledgeable, funny and personable. He shared the unique history of beautiful Kyoto and some local color. We were lucky to see two geishas in training in Gion. A delicious lunch of sushi was included. 2 big thumbs up!!