The 8 Best Rickshaw Rides Tours in Japan

1.Tokyo Asakusa Rickshaw Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,375 reviews · from $42Our pick

Ride through Asakusa with a local rickshaw driver and shape the route around your interests. Choose 30 minutes to 3 hours, stopping at places such as Ushijima Shrine, Imado Shrine, Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden, Sensoji, Sumida Park, and the Asahi Beer Headquarters. English-speaking guides are available on request.

“A fun way to see Asakusa area, we visited several smaller shrines and temples, learned about local traditions, and took lots of pictures. A good option if you’d like to see the area in a short amount of time. Our guide Issy was wonderful. Highly recommend.”

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2.Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 432 reviews · 45 - 190 minutes · from $51

Meet your local English- or Japanese-speaking guide at Togetsu-kyo Bridge for a private rickshaw ride through Arashiyama. Choose 45 minutes or up to 3 hours 10 minutes, with bamboo paths, Nonomiya Shrine, temples, gardens, quiet lanes, and photo stops. Guides such as Aki, Koki, Shin, and Lucas are known for friendly conversation and excellent pictures.

“This was an excellent tour. Our Rickshaw guide was great and explained a lot of history to us. The bamboo forest was beautiful. We also saw the backstreet of the area, and a beautiful temple. Finished with a lovely ice cream. I very much recommend this riskshaw tour.”

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3.Kyoto Arashiyama Rickshaw Tour with Bamboo Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 354 reviews · from $86

You’ll ride a private rickshaw through Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide such as Ocean, Yoshi, or Hikaru, then walk into the most famous bamboo grove. Choose a 1 or 2-hour route, stop at Nonomiya Shrine and quiet temple areas, and have your guide take photos. The rickshaw offers shade, but you still walk up and down a steep slope.

“Amazing trip and guide!! Totally excellent!! Would definitely do it again the next time we visit here!!!”

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4.Kyoto Rickshaw Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 210 reviews · from $39

Sit back in an authentic rickshaw as your English-speaking guide carries you through Kyoto’s Higashiyama and Gion districts. Choose 30 minutes to 3 hours, ask for a route that fits your interests, and stop for photos at temples, shrines, wooden streets, and quiet corners. Guides such as Fumi, Yoshi, Kai, and Kanta are known for lively explanations and excellent photos.

“We had 2 rickshaws. Both guys were great (Fumi & Su). They are knowledgeable and hospitable. We saw and learned a lot during the two hours ride.”

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5.Asakusa Sightseeing Tour by Rickshaw

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 195 reviews · 30 - 190 minutes · from $35Best value

Ride through Asakusa in a private rickshaw with an English or Japanese-speaking guide. Depending on your time, you may visit temples, shrines, Sumida Park, Hanakawado, Rokku, Tanuki-doori, and Denpoin Street. Guides such as Masa, Kazu, Yusuke, and Shima are known for lively storytelling, local tips, and taking photos during the ride.

“We had a fabulous time on this tour, the rickshaw was comfy, the ride was at a great pace with lots of explanation and stories of what we were seeing. And our rickshaw driver Sho was fabulous”

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6.Private Rickshaw Tour of Gion and Higashiyama Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 45 - 130 minutes · from $51

Meet your English or Japanese-speaking guide near Kodaiji Temple for a private rickshaw ride through Higashiyama and Gion. Guides such as Moto, Shiro, Fumi, and Daichi are known for lively commentary and creative photos. Choose from short neighborhood overviews to longer routes with temples, willow-lined waterways, and traditional streets.

“Shuhei was an amazing guide! We had a rainy day, however, Shuhei mad it a wonderful experience. He gave us some great recommendations. We were very appreciative. Thank you for a wonderful morning!”

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7.Private Rickshaw Tour to Itsukushima Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 45 reviews · 45 - 190 minutes · from $51

Meet your Japanese-speaking rickshaw guide outside Miyajima Ferry Terminal for a private ride through old streets, the waterfront, and shrine areas. Choose a shorter outing or extend it to Daishoin Temple, Senjokaku Shrine, and scenic park and seaside routes. Guides such as Kim, Jose, and Shinemasa are praised for friendly storytelling and helpful photos.

“Dit was zo een geweldige ervaring! Miyajima is te bewandelen, maar deze tour maakte de ervaring van het eiland duizenden keren beter. Onze gids Kim reed ons rond, vertelde ons over het eiland en Japanse gebruiken, maakte prachtige foto's en deed dit allemaal met ontzettend veel enthousiasme en humor. Geweldig!”

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8.Kyoto Sagano Insider: Rickshaw and Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $228

Spend about three hours exploring Arashiyama by private rickshaw and on foot. Your guide takes you through the bamboo forest, stops for photos, visits a traditional machiya house and Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, and points out old homes, shrines, and historic streets. English and Japanese guides are fluent; other languages may be available.

“The rickshaw ride was a lot of fun. Our driver and guide, Takumi, was awesome. He spoke great English and was informative and charming. We enjoyed the ride very much.”

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