Explore Hidden Alleyway with a Local Expert (Morning tour)
Description
Step off the beaten path and explore the real Kyoto with a knowledgeable local guide who knows every corner of the city. This 3-hour guided bike tour takes you through quiet backstreets far from the tourist crowds, offering an authentic glimpse into the daily lives of Kyoto’s residents. As you pedal through narrow alleyways, each twist and turn brings a shift in atmosphere—the scents, the light, the sounds—immersing you in the city’s hidden charm. Then, just as suddenly, you’ll emerge onto a bustling main street, reconnecting with the familiar Kyoto of guidebooks and postcards. Our guides are professionally trained through our original program, ensuring not only a deep understanding of Kyoto’s culture but also full proficiency in traffic safety, group cycling techniques, and local etiquette. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities. Join us and experience Kyoto not just as a visitor, but as if you were part of the city itself.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Miyagawacho is the second biggest among five Geisha district in Kyoto. This an alley that is lined on both sides with many Japanese traditional wooden houses. You can feel calm atmosphere of old days of Kyoto.
This is Kyoto! Gion developed as a major Geisha district with Maiko girls and Geiko women in Kyoto. Elegant and refined atmosphere of old times still remains here.
Your heart will be refreshed by the path as it goes along a limped stream. The willows swing in the breeze give you a special feeling about Kyoto.
The Kyoto Imperial Palace used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family. Now open for public as a national garden with beautiful seasonal flowers. We cycle along the gravel paths there.
You can relax at local residents’ beloved river (Kamo River).
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Min. 2 and Max. 6 guests can be accepted per guide (1 person participants are not accepted). In case your group is 7-12 people, an extra guide can be arranged.
- If you wish to cancel the tour, please kindly let us know at least 3 days prior to the tour date (by 18:00; JST) and your tour fee can be refunded.
- Tour can be operaTour will operate in rain. However, the customer can choose from one of the following options: 1) The tour will continue as usual on bikes (with rain poncho; free of charge), 2) Switch to a walking tour using public transportation (bus or metro; included in tour fee).ted even rain. However, in such case, the following to option can be choosen: 1)Tour will be continued as usual, (to be worn rain poncho;; free of charge) 2) Walkingtour using public transportation (bus or metro; included tour fee).
- Children must be at least 10 years old; 145 cm or above; and be able to ride a bicycle safely on the road unassisted.
- IF you wish to change the booking, please kindly let us know at least 3 days prior to the date.
Reviews(70)
We went on our way with Makoto. Despite the rain, he made a happy trip of it. What a fun way to get to know Kyoto. We went to the Sanjūsangendō Temple, an impressive place. Makoto also gave us tips. E.g. where we could shop for comics and kimonos, which the kids really appreciated.
Thank you so much for your kind review! I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour despite the rain. It was a pleasure showing you different parts of Kyoto, including Sanjusangen-do Temple, and sharing tips that your kids could enjoy as well. Thank you again, and I hope to welcome you back to Kyoto someday! Makoto
A very nice experience, friendly guide, right mix of stories and cycling. Extra stop for jumping stones in the river. Kaz spoke perfect english which was very much appreciated by my kids! Travelling with 3 teens.
Dear dmakel2024-san, Thank you very much for sharing your experience and leaving a wonderful review! It was a pleasure for me to escort you and your family on the Kyoto cycling tour, and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Thank you also for mentioning the jumping stone. It sometimes becomes one of the main highlights of the tour, especially for young teenagers. I truly appreciate this review and wish you all the best! Thank you! Kazuhiro Yoshida
We had a fantastic tour through Kyoto. Our guide Tomoko Ishii told us about the interesting history of the places, the temples and shrines we visited. She answered all the questions we had and took us in a safe way through the streets and along the riverside. It was a wonderful experience to get to know Kyoto!
Hello and thank you so much for leaving such a positive review. I enjoyed taking all of you around Kyoto, and was very impressed by Ruben's knowledge of Japan! I hope you all had a great time exploring other parts of Japan. Safe travels! Tomoko
Makoto was an excellent guide and he went out of his way to show us unusual Buddhist temple. We had a very informative morning and learnt so much. .He did not rush us at all and listened to what we wanted to see. Bikes were very good and he was careful as to our safety on the tour with the traffic.Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind review! I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and the unique temple we visited. It was a pleasure sharing Kyoto's history with you, and I'm glad we could explore at a relaxed pace. Thank you again, and I hope to welcome you back to Kyoto someday! Makoto
A great morning (despite the rain) exploring hidden parts of the city, its history & culture, definitely recommend & don’t be put off by any rain. Loved it!
Tomoko (our guide) was very enthusiastic and offered us a nice morning with a nice tour! We drove past several temples and Tomoko took the time to tell background info. She also took a lot of pictures of us on her own initiative, very nice! If all goes well, she will use our term for locking the bike: lockie lockie 😂. Thanks for the nice trip Tomoko!
Thank you for leaving wonderful reviews! It was great pleasure taking you around Kyoto and I don't think I've laughed so much during a tour. I hope you were able to have a great time for the rest of your trip and indeed, I wil be using "Lockie Lockie" from now on :D Tomoko
Tadashi has been a great guide throughout this bike tour, sharing a lot of interesting cultural background information about all the sites we visited and saw. He navigated us very safely through the traffic and was patient with the photo taking 😁. I definitely recommend this experience where you get to experience Kyoto differently. Thanks again to Tadashi for the nice Journey and conversation.
Mr. Makoto Yanai was extremely nice, knew all the good spots. We had a greate time and it was a pleasure to speak with him
My husband and I had a wonderful 3 hour cycling morning with our expert guide, Kay. We saw alot of Kyoto which we would never have seen and the energy and generosity of our guide Kay was amazing, she really made our tour. Would highly recommend the cycling tour and our guide Kay. Thank you.
We had an amazing morning with Hiro seeing the sights around central Kyoto. Super-informative, and wonderful to spend time with him in this stunning city.
