Kyoto

5 Top Highlights of Kyoto with Kyoto Bike Tour

Badge of ExcellenceKyoto, Japan

7 to 8 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons)

from $619.59

Per group

Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto : Private Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour)

from $76.79

Price varies by group size

Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Private Tour Kyoto-Nara w/Hotel Pick Up & Drop off from Kyoto

from $327.51

Price varies by group size

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Kyoto’s traditional neighborhoods and scenic parklands are ideal for exploring by bike. On this tour, save time by cycling around the city and visit five of Kyoto’s most popular attractions in one day. Enjoy stunning views of the Golden Pavilion and the Kiyomizu Temple; pose for photos by the red torri gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine; and hop off to stroll around the Bamboo Forest and explore the geisha district.

Three magnificent temples: Kiyomizu, Golden Pavilion, and Fushimi Inari
Spot geisha as you explore Kyoto’s traditional Gion neighborhood
Active tour: cover up to 25mi (40km) as you cycle between the sights
Personalized small-group tour with a maximum of 8 people

What's Included

Native English speaking bilingual guide
Bicycle
Helmet
Bottled water
Admission Fees
Light Lunch
Snacks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Saga-Arashiyama Station
11-1 Sagatenryūji Kurumamichichō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8373, Japan
Nearest train station - JR Saga Arashiyama Meeting Point is : JR Saga Arashiyama Station, Exit right at the ticket gates (See PDF in your Viator messages)

Start time

08:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Bamboo Forest Street

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Gion

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Kinkakuji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
*Age restriction* must be a minimum of 15 years of age.
Please notify of food allergies/restrictions at time of booking.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

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 canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

288 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 288 reviews

Trip Highlight!

Rebecca_K, Apr 2024

An awesome tour! Can’t believe we saw so much in one day, an absolute highlight of our trip. A long ride, can be a bit tiring, but well worth it!!

Rob is an awesome dude.

The_O, Apr 2024

This was an awesome day out. We saw Kyoto, we ate lunch, we had a most pleasant work out. Rob is outstanding and would recommend him to anyone. He is highly knowledgeable, has great social skills and looks out for everyone's safety.

La Tour de Kyoto!

Jorge_P, Apr 2024

Amazing day touring beautiful Kyoto by bike. We are an active family of 4, but thankfully I decided to upgrade my wife and daughter to ebikes while my son and I rode regular bikes. You don't realize but the km do accumulate by the end of the day, but totally worth it. Ray is a great guide and made things interesting while showing us around. Totally recommend.

This bike tour was such a memorable part of our time in Kyoto!

Sharon_C, Apr 2024

The entire bike tour was amazing! Seeing the highlights, biking around the local streets and on the streets/paths outside of the city was all such an adventure and a lot of fun! And, our guide definitely was a big part of it with the information about each of the highlights we visited as well as about culture, history and present day news. 5 stars all around!

Best Day Tour

Susy_G, Apr 2024

Ray our guide was so informative and knowledgeable. We covered so much in a day and we all had a good laugh. Most of the sights were very busy with tourist, but Ray found a way for us through it all.

See the sights

Susan_F, Mar 2024

This was a fun way to be active and see the major sights in Kyoto. It was a mix of urban riding and cruising on the paved bike trails along the river. Ray was an excellent guide, providing history and context to everything we visited.

Outstanding bike tour experience

Rose_H, Feb 2024

Our bike tour with Kyoto Bike Tours was exceptional from the communication about the tour beforehand to the top gear they provided - Specialized e-bikes which were a dream to ride . Our guide, Rob, was knowledgeable about Kyoto and Japanese culture in general and made the tour interesting and fun. Highly recommend this tour company.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Awesome to hear you enjoyed the tour and you noticed how much we care about our equipment. I had a great day with you guys! -Rob

Knowledgeable insight into Kyoto

rachel_k, Jan 2024

The spectacular tour showed us insights into the daily lives of those living in Kyoto and the spectacular sights surrounding the city. The guide personalised the tour to the needs of our ground and was a wealth of knowledge.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you so much for the kind review. We are happy to see that you enjoyed the experience. All the best and safe travels.

Kyoto Must do!!

Shawn_H, Jan 2024

Peter was exceptional as a tour guide around Kyoto!! I would highly recommend this tour as you get to see all the sites, he's very informative of the culture/history, and is a great conversationalist. If you're in Kyoto, this is a MUST!!! My son and I are avid bike riders and enjoyed being on bikes for the day but even if you're not, it's broken up with various stops. There is an e-bike option as well (which my wife chose) that made it more manageable/enjoyable for her.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Hi Shawn, Thank you very much for the awesome review. I enjoyed spending the day with you, Janel and Spencer. I am happy you all enjoyed the day. It was certainly a great day out on the bikes, and it was a shame your other son could not join us. Keep on cycling and mountain biking and perhaps one day we can hit the dirt here in Kyoto! All the best, Peter

Amazing Experience

Hilario_B, Dec 2023

It was the most amazing bike tour. I had Rob for a guide and he was super friendly and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this tour. The only warning I would give to anyone considering this tour is that there is some level of fitness required to complete it. Other than that, it is a great way to start exploring Kyoto. Additionally, our guide was always looking out for everyone; he always ensured to be inclusive and catered our requests as much as possible. I definitely recommend it.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Super pleased to hear that! I had a great day with you as well. Thanks again! -Rob

A perfect way to explore Kyoto

Sallie_B, Jul 2023

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!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

We certainly appreciate the nice review. Thank you for taking the time to send this through. All the best Peter and Ray

Wonderful tour!

Heather_E, Jun 2023

We loved being guided around the city by bicycle. Peter was informative, patient, knowledgeable and a joy to be with.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you, Heather, for the kind review. It was all my pleasure. Peter

Biking Everywhere in Kyoto

Chrystal_C, Jun 2023

I enjoyed the all inclusive biking experience thoroughly. From the Kyoto Gardens to the Buddhist Temple and everyplace in-between it was a delight! It was a serious day long exercise, so be prepared to be tired by the end of the day. It was definitely an unforgettable adventure. I highly recommend this tour to any healthy bike riding person.

Not to be missed trip!

james_s, Apr 2023

Ray was a fantastic and knowledgeable guide who brought his 20+ years of Japanese resident’s experiences for all of us to share. Additionally, the extensive bike ride course provided a great way to get a full body workout. I recommend this trip for anyone wanting to visit the highlights of Kyoto.

From The Bamboo Forest to The Golden Pavilion

Derek_A, Apr 2023

Ray was a very knowledgable and friendly guide who took care of the whole party and kept the tour moving at a steady pace. A great (green) way to see some of the famous attractions in Kyoto. However, it is definitely AT LEAST 40 kms. of cycling!

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Cheers Derek! It was my pleasure spending the day together. I am jazzed that you enjoyed the tour. It has some distance to it but the smiles at the end make it all worth it! There is no feel like on two wheels :). Safe travels to the two of you! Kindness, Ray

Fantastic Tour. Best day in Japan on 14 day trip.

Wendy_C, Apr 2023

This bike tour was the highlight of a 2 week Japan trip. We went with our teenagers and it was amazing to cover so much ground in the day and wonderful to get all over Kyoto where you can see neighborhoods and bike along beautiful canals and parks. Even the teens loved it! And Ray was super knowledgeable, made things fun for everyone, was really accommodating and took amazing photos of our family. I would highly recommend you book this tour. It will be your trip highlight.

Fabulous bike tour

Manda, Mar 2023

Fantastic bike tour. Full day of bike riding and sightseeing. Peter was a fantastic guide. Got to see the top spots in Kyoto. Biking to these spots is so much better than going on a bus stuck in traffic. Had a fabulous day. Highly recommended.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you so much for the kind review. I am so happy to read that you enjoyed the tour and will recommend to others. We covered a lot of ground in one day and you did an awesome job. Safe travels. Peter

Appalling customer service

Nancy_H, Mar 2023

No guide and no bikes showed up at the meeting point and I got no email canceling. Appalling. I tried contacting Viator and couldn't use their chat form. Since I am from out of the country I had no cell phone but my email was on file and I could access that. My granddaughter and I felt very upset. I have not even received any notice that my fee will be refunded if there had been an emergency cancelation.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Hi Nancy, We are incredibly disappointed and apologetic that this happened to you. We know how valuable time is especially when traveling and we have contacted Viator to make sure you are fully refunded. It appears there were a series of cancellations and bookings and this is what caused the confusion. We were even at the meeting point and must have completely missed each other as we ran this tour that day. We diligently send out a confirmation message to all our guests with our personal contact information so that late arrivals and anyone with an emergency may get in touch with us directly. Again, we are so sorry for this and will gladly take the two of you out on a private tour on us the next time you visit Kyoto. Despite the extremely unfortunate experience, we hope you were able to enjoy your time in Kyoto. Kind regards, Ray & Peter _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ For anyone who cancels and rebooks, please let us know in a separate message that you have rebooked to prevent any mixup.

Stop looking around, this is the tour!

Sebastin_L, Dec 2022

We just have and incredible experience. The tour guy Ray, was very care about everything and we couldn't had a better time. Really this is the Best way to know Kyoto, don't look further more and if You are visiting Kyoto soon book this tour right now!

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Thanks for the incredible day you two! I had an amazing time with you guys. It was an absolute pleasure spending the day together and sharing the beauty of Kyoto with you. I look forward to crossing paths again in the future my friends :) Kindness, Ray

Amazing Tour, stunning views, guide that makes you feel like you've known him since 5th grade.

Lorenzo_C, Nov 2022

Ray was amazing. Always warm and positive, he got us all around Kyoto and back again. To see it all in a day, develop a profound love for Japan, (and work up an appetite) take this tour. Easily one of the best on our trip across Japan.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Hey you two! Thanks for the lovely review and again for the magical day together! That was an awesome day out! Your smiles really made my day and seeing the satisfaction on your faces at the end means the world to me. I hope you had a safe return home. Please remember to drop in the next time you are in town :) Kindness, Ray

Likely to Sell Out