Japan has become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, though most of the focus seems to be on Tokyo.

While there’s no doubt that the lively Tokyo is certainly an experience everyone should have, the ancient capital of Kyoto is known as the country’s cultural heart. With narrow lanes, historic temples, and serene gardens, this landscape is unique only to this city, with plenty of rich history to explore.

The best way to do this is through one of the 5 top Kyoto bike tours that I’ve detailed below, and are well worth the time and money spent. Let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Sake Tasting Tours and Private Guided Tours of Kyoto.

Best Bike Tours in Kyoto

	Hidden Kyoto E-Biking Tour	5 Top Highlights of Kyoto Full Day Bike Tour (E-bike Option)	Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto plus Lunch
Location:	NORU Kyoto Bike Tours, 429-22 Takigahanachō, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto	Saga-Arashiyama Station, 11-1 Sagatenryūji Kurumamichichō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto	Cycle Kyoto, 7 Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, Minami Ward, Kyoto
Start:	9:00 AM, 1:00 PM	8:30 AM	10:00 AM
Duration:	3.75 hours	7 to 8 hours	5 to 6 hours
Includes:	English-speaking route coordinator, Rental bike, Rental helmet, Water	Native English-speaking bilingual guide, bicycle, helmet, bottled water, admission fees, light lunch, snacks	Equipment Rental, Guidance, Bottled water, Japanese Lunch, Lunch, Use of bicycle
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Kyoto Bike Tours For 2025

1. Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour
2. 5 Top Highlights of Kyoto Full Day Bike Tour (E-bike Option)
3. Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto plus Lunch
4. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)
5. The Beauty of Kyoto by Bike: Private Tour

Kyoto Bike Tour Reviews

1. Hidden Kyoto E-Biking Tour

Kyoto is a city that’s brimming with history, culture, serenity, and amazing architecture – perfect for exploring by bike! Whether it’s your first or 50th time in the city, this tour is sure to show you something new, and something beyond the main attractions.

However, it does include many of the more iconic sights as well, so if you’re a newbie, you’ll get to check those off your list, too.

This tour lasts a little bit less than 4 hours, with morning and afternoon times available to make it easier to fit into a busy schedule. You’ll start out by meeting up at the bike tour shop, where you’ll then be fitted with a helmet and bike that works best according to your height.

Our guide was very funny and knowledgeable about the city, sharing it in a way that was easy to digest, while keeping our attention throughout.

At this point, I’d taken quite a few bike tours in Kyoto, but I still learned about and saw quite a few sites I hadn’t anywhere else up until this point.

We first passed some of Kyoto’s most well-known temples and shrines like the Kinkakuji and Daitokuji Temple Complex, which was cool – especially for newbies. Even if you’ve already seen some of the landmarks, you’re sure to learn something new from the guide’s perspective.

After this, we took ourselves to some of the city’s more serene, lesser-known spaces with calm and quiet paths and Zen gardens, that is really where Kyoto thrives.

While it’s not really scheduled into the tour, our guide even let us partake in a traditional matcha ceremony in a Zen Buddhist Temple, which was such an amazing experience! If you’re looking for something that feels a bit more “authentic”, don’t pass this one up!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. 5 Top Highlights of Kyoto Full Day Bike Tour (E-bike Option)

One of the best ways to experience Kyoto’s authentic charm is right at the street level, though with a bike, you’ll be able to cover much more ground than you would with just walking.

The 5 Top Highlights of Kyoto Full-Day Bike Tour (E-bike Option) is perfect for those who are in the city for the first time, letting you explore the ancient temples and serene gardens in all their glory.

This seamless compilation of must-see landmarks and off-the-beaten-path gems, it’s a great selection for anyone of any age or interest!

This is one of the longest tours of its kind, fitting a ton of sightseeing, learning, and adventure into 7 to 8 hours! Start things out at 8:30 am at the Saga-Arashiyama Station where you’ll be fitted for your bike and helmet, and will be provided with complimentary bottled water.

This is a small-group tour maxing out at a mere 8 participants for a very personalized experience, and an intimate setting ideal for venturing through the thoughtful constructions and culture surrounding Kyoto.

You’ll get to see the famous Bamboo Forest Street, which really looked and felt like something out of a fairytale – it was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced before! Check out 3 of the most famous temples in the city, learning about the Kiyomizu, Golden Pavilion, and Fushimi Inari.

Going through the famous Red Torii tunnel was also amazing and knowing that it is believed to have dated back to the year 711, it’s fascinating!

One of the unexpected highlights of the tour for me was spotting geisha as we cruised through the traditional Gion neighborhood! Throughout our time, our guide took plenty of photos as well, for mementos you can’t buy!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto plus Lunch

While Kyoto is known as one of the most impressive cultural cities in Japan, North Kyoto in particular boasts most ancient shrines and temples, including many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Beyond that, you’ll find plenty of serene gardens, traditional wooden houses, and other stunning sightseeing spots sitting along the Higashiyama mountain range.

The best way to experience it all is on the Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto Plus Lunch excursion, with a professional local guide there to lead the way and offer fascinating educational commentary as you go.

This tour lasts around 5 to 6 hours and starts at 10:00 am, so you have the majority of the day to venture around and still be back in time for dinner.

This tour is a very intimate one, with a small group setting and quiet, comfortable bikes to cruise along without feeling like you’re just another head in a big crowd.

After getting your bike and helmet fitted, you’ll set off towards Nishi Honganji – a 16th-century temple that’s not only architecturally stunning but also has immense religious and historical significance.

We saw some other important shrines and temples as well, accompanied by our guide’s immense knowledge regaled to us in a way that was engaging the entire way through. After spending some time at the Kinkakuji Temple, we grabbed a tasty ice cream and took a well-deserved break in our beautiful surroundings.

After taking some photos, we passed by the amazing Kyoto Imperial Palace, where our guide shared interesting stories about the country’s imperial family and how this palace was home to the family for over a thousand years!

Finally, we ended up in Kyoto’s famous geisha district, which was so fascinating to learn about! We did catch sight of one of them, though it’s suggested you do not take any photos of them, and we of course respected that.

The ride back to the bike shop after this was a quick and easy one, so we really did spend all of our time taking advantage of the rich history all around Northern Kyoto!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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

Kyoto is a city filled to the brim with history and beauty (both manmade and natural), but there’s something truly unique about experiencing it on bike.

The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird) experience is one of the best ways to do it, combining the natural and cultural wonders of Kyoto’s famed Arashiyama district.

Starting out at 8:00 am, it’s a wonderful way to see the city early in the morning and still be back in time for lunch! Me and the rest of our small group met up with our guide at the Saga-Arashiyama Station which was super easy to get to from our hotel in the morning.

Our guide was so lovely and incredibly knowledgeable – being a local, he answered all of our questions and offered so much valuable insight into what daily life is like in Kyoto.

What I loved most about this tour was that we spent most of our time at places we wouldn’t have likely had the chance to see if we hadn’t gone on this particular bike route with this specific guide!

I felt this tour balances exercise with serenity quite nicely, taking us through the scenic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which felt even more magical gliding by on 2 wheels.

Ride along the Togetsukyo Bridge – a symbol of the city – and venture into nearby hidden gems like famous temples and picturesque riversides, which many tours miss.

Our guide really brought thousands of years of history to life, offering a fresh perspective on the city’s treasures while staying engaged with the environment and us.

I recommend this tour for entire families traveling with kids – especially with teenagers who may not have the longest attention spans. If you’re a foodie, you’ll definitely appreciate all the different food and restaurant tips they’ll give you, too!

I can’t recommend this tour enough – whether you’re new or experienced in Kyoto, you’ll find something new and exciting here.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. The Beauty of Kyoto by Bike: Private Tour

Last but certainly not least, is the Beauty of Kyoto by Bike: Private Tour experience perfect for those who already have busy itineraries planned. This 2.5-hour excursion is easy to fit into any schedule, with many different start times available to choose from.

This is a completely private experience, so it will quite literally just be you, your guide, and the rest of your private party – this is perfect for families, couples, or even solo travelers!

Kyoto offers plenty of walking tours, just as well as tours by car or bus, though on a bike tour like this one, it’s the best of both worlds. You cover more ground than you would by just walking, but you’ll discover places that are typically inaccessible by car or bus!

As it is a private tour, your guide will actually customize your itinerary according to your specific interests – no worries about rushing or staying in one place too long!

I told my guide I was most interested in the historic and architectural gems of the city, but would also like to focus more on places locals frequent for a more authentic perspective.

He did exactly that, which was incredibly helpful for the rest of my trip! I got to see plenty of calm little pockets around the busier areas of the city, along with fantastic conversation and some local food along the way.

We ended up grabbing some mochi at a local shop and sat right by a breathtaking river to enjoy it while chatting about some of the cultural background, which was an invaluable experience for me.

No matter your age or background, I know you’ll love this tour as much as I did! It’s just about as far as you can get from an average, “cookie-cutter” tour!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience