6 Cycling Tours in Kyoto to Build a Day Around

1.Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto plus Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,087 reviews · from $106Our pick

Spend five to six hours cycling Kyoto with guides such as Mayko, Julian, Indra, Quinn, Karl, Jay, or Jamie. You’ll visit Nishi Honganji, Kitano Tenmangu, Kinkakuji, the former imperial grounds, and Gion, with temple admission, water, a Cannondale bike, guidance, and lunch included. Expect about 13 miles of mostly manageable riding.

“our guide Quinn was awesome. A native American, whose English was extremely good and also a Shinto priest with in depth knowledge of all the temples and shrines we would be seeing. He also added many other interesting stops along the way. yeah, obviously enjoyed his jobs and telling us the history in the region. He added another hour to the length of the tour.”

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2.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 613 reviews · from $106

Start at 8:00 am near Saga-Arashiyama Station for a private 3 to 4-hour ride with guides such as Rob, Yuki, Ray, Milo, or Cass. You’ll use standard Cannondale city bikes, walk through the bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji’s garden, then pedal quiet lanes, rice fields, temples, shrines, and Togetsukyo Bridge. The route is family-friendly for ages 10 and up.

“Ideal way to see Kyoto … cover a lot of locations in between fun bike rides. Highlight of our time in Kyoto.”

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3.5 Top Highlights of Kyoto Full Day Bike Tour (E-bike option)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 511 reviews · from $172

Start at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a 7 to 8 hour ride covering up to 27 miles. Your English-speaking guide leads you to the bamboo forest, Fushimi Inari, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kinkakuji, with local streets, river paths, lunch, snacks, and photo stops along the way. Standard bikes are included, while e-bikes cost extra.

“The historic sights were wonderful! Tour guides so knowledgable and fun! Seeing the city from a bicycle is truly the best way to explore a new place. The tour went everywhere in Kyoto!!! A perfect day for my husband, my 21 year-old, my 18 year-old and me!”

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4.E-Bike Tours of the highlights of Kyoto!!!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $109

Ride Kyoto’s quieter lanes on an included e-bike with a guide such as Philippe, Kevin, or Niall. Choose an east-side route with Heian Shrine, Ginkakuji, and the Philosopher’s Walk, or a west-side route covering Kinkakuji, Arashiyama, and Ryoan-ji. Expect temple visits, local stories, photo stops, and about five and a half hours on the road.

“This was one of the least biking heavy bike tours I've ever done, but in a good way. It involves small/medium segments going between locations followed by decent amounts of time spent at those spots waling around and talking. Traditional Read more”

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5.Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 283 reviews · from $106

Meet your English-speaking guide at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a four-hour ride through Arashiyama. You’ll cycle standard Cannondale city bikes to Iwatayama Monkey Park, the Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji’s Sogenchi Garden, and Togetsukyo Bridge. Guides such as Yuki, Rob, Peter, and Ray add local history, culture, photos, and practical help along the way.

“This tour is unique and fun yet gives insight into Japanese culture and their way of life. Highly recommend doing this tour.”

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6.South Kyoto in a Nutshell: Gentle Backstreet Bike Tour!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 225 reviews · from $79Best value

Start at Cycle Kyoto at 9:00 am for a three to four hour ride through southern Kyoto. Your guide leads a small group of up to eight on Cannondale bikes through backstreets, past Nishi Honganji, Gion, Tofukuji Temple, Takase Canal, and Fushimi Inari. Helmets and water are included, and guides such as Jay, Indra, Juan, and Sam add local stories along the way.

“We had a brilliant tour around Kyoto seeing the sites. Our guide took us to a lot of places off the beaten track so we avoided the tourist traps. He really looked after us and made the tour enjoyable. I would highly recommend doing this tour.”

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