Top 6 Hidden Gems Bike Tours in Kyoto

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

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

Start at 8:00 am near Saga-Arashiyama Station for a private 3 to 4-hour ride with an English-speaking guide such as Rob, Yuki, Milo, or Ray. You will walk through the bamboo forest, visit Tenryu-ji’s Zen garden, pedal quiet lanes and rice fields, and finish at Togetsukyo Bridge on a standard Cannondale bike.

“Highly recommend! Pleasant and informative English speaking guide. They provided nice Cannondale bikes and gear. Not too strenuous...great for families!”

See dates →Read our full review

2.City Secrets eBike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 196 reviews · 3h 45m · from $127

Spend 225 minutes riding a 9-kilometer route through Kyoto with an English-speaking guide such as Yuta, Michael, Henry, Sean, or Shizuka. Expect the Golden Pavilion, old geisha streets, shrines, Zen gardens, quiet mountain roads, and possible stops for tea or traditional mochi. Electric bikes make the hills manageable, but you should already ride confidently.

“Guide was enthusiastic , energetic , knowledgeable and friendly . Bikes were great too !”

See dates →Read our full review

3.Hidden Gems E-Bike Tour with Local Japanese Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 189 reviews · 3h 30m · from $75

Spend 210 minutes cycling northeast Kyoto on an electric bike with Aska or another English-speaking Japanese guide who has lived abroad. Ride beside the Kamogawa River, visit Ginkaku-ji, follow the Philosopher’s Path, see Nanzen-ji and Heian Jingu, and get local advice on food and sightseeing in a small group of up to eight.

“The tour was superb! Aska was an excellent guide, and there could not be a nicer way to explore Kyoto than on a bike. Each site was beautiful, and Aska provided such a great insight into Japanese culture. Highly recommend this tour!”

See dates →Read our full review

4.Hidden Gems E-Bike Tour Through Backstreets & Temples

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 54 reviews · 4 hours · from $87

You’ll spend four hours cycling Kyoto with an English-speaking local guide such as Ben or Yuki. Comfortable e-bikes link famous sights with quiet temples, shrines, lanes, and riverside paths. The small group, limited to eight, makes it easy to adjust the pace, ask questions, and stop for photos.

“Ben was the greatest guide I've had in a long time. Very knowledgeable, learned a lot about Kyoto and Japan in general. Bikes were very comfortable and we went to a lot of beautiful (quiet) places compared to all the crouded areas in Kyoto. Absolutely worth the money, would highly recommend!”

See dates →Read our full review

5.Tailored E-Bike Tour to Highlights & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 32 reviews · from $94

Ride an electric-assist bike through Kyoto with a local guide such as Kiyoto, Takuma, Rika, or Paulina. Expect famous sights, quiet temples, Gion streets, markets, sweets shops, and local food stops, with plenty of time for questions and photos. The relaxed three-hour format works well for first-time visitors and returning Kyoto fans.

“Discover Kyoto by bike in an amazing concept. Where you can visit only a few places on foot, you can explore the whole city by bike. With the warm temperatures, it is perfect to be able to cycle with a breeze. We definitely recommend asking Yonnie as a guide. An amazing woman who wants to do everything to make sure you have the best day. It starts as the day before where she sends through the schedule and you get to make any adjustments you want. Throughout the trip, she tries to adapt as much as possible to the group itself. A very friendly woman who we thank very much…”

See dates →Read our full review

6.Cycle Kyoto’s Hidden Gems & Gion Stroll

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $73Best value

Ride through Kyoto with guides such as Benjamin, Ko, Claire, or Mr. Go, stopping at shrines, the Imperial Palace, a Zen temple, and Shimogamo Shrine. After returning the bikes, take a 30-minute walk through Gion or Pontocho, with tea and Japanese sweets at a traditional shop. Electric bikes cost 1,000 yen extra.

“We took our two kids who are 9 and 10 on the tour and our guide Mr. Go was incredibly kind and patient with them. We saw some beautiful sites in Kyoto we had not visited and it was such a joy to bike next to the river on a hot and humid day.”

See dates →Read our full review