Kyoto E-Bike Rent & Tours August 2024 | Kyoto E-Bike Rent & Tours

Recommended hided autumn cycling spots in Kyoto

Autumn is all about cycling!
Autumn in Kyoto city is extremely crowded with people coming to see the autumn leaves. Trains, buses, and taxis can take tens of minutes to get on, the leaves are barely visible due to the crowds, and nearby hotel prices nearly double.

However, with an e-bike, you can see the best autumn foliage that most people never get to see, and it’s far more beautiful than near a hotel that costs thousands of dollars a night.
Not only can you see the foliage, you can also explore beautiful nature and history.
Be sure to rent an e-bike and ride around Kyoto in the fall!
This time, we’ll introduce you to some of the areas you should definitely visit.

North side of Arashiyama

Arashiyama is famous for its autumn leaves in Kyoto, but 99% of people go to the area 300m from the station and leave because it’s too crowded.
But the real highlight is beyond that. Arashiyama is originally the site of the ancient Imperial family’s tombs, which are in the area north of the station. There you can find scenery that has remained unchanged for over 1000 years, and the beautiful autumn leaves that the Imperial family loved.

Access

It is a 30-minute e-bike ride from our Saiin Rental Center.

West side of Arashiyama (Hozu river)

Although Arashiyama is the name of a mountain, I think the most beautiful sights are the Hozu River that flows through it and the autumn foliage on the mountains.
There are also trolley train and boat tours, but they get very crowded at this time of year, so if you want to enjoy the autumn leaves of Hozukyo at a leisurely pace with a small group, I still recommend an e-bike.

Access

It is a 40-minute e-bike ride from our Saiin Rental Center.

A perfect E-Bike tour of Arashiyama in autumn with a support car

Kurama temple

Kurama Temple is the head temple of a sect of esoteric Buddhism, and is located in the mountains north of Kyoto.
It has long been famous as a hiking spot, and there is a bicycle parking area, so it is a good idea to park your bike and explore the area on foot.

Access

It is a 30-minute e-bike ride from our Saiin Rental Center.

Hiyoshi Shrine(Mt.Hiei)

Mt. Hiei is also a place where the autumn leaves are very beautiful. Many people take the cable car up from the east side closer to Kyoto, but I recommend riding an e-bike to the east side of Lake Biwa, stopping by Hiyoshi Shrine, and then either taking the cable car up or hiking.
The road along the Lake Biwa Canal on the way is very quiet and easy to ride, and the autumn leaves are beautiful.
Best of all, there are only about 1% of the people on the east side.

Access

It is a 1-hour e-bike ride from our Saiin Rental Center.

Nariai temple

Although it’s far from Kyoto City, this mountain in our main area, Amanohashidate, has a 1,500-year history of pilgrimages.
The contrast between the autumn leaves and the sea seen from the temple is truly spectacular.
I would definitely recommend taking a guided tour, but it’s also fun to go on your own by renting an e-bike.

Access

It takes two hours by train from Kyoto, and 30 minutes by renting an e-bike in front of Amanohashidate Station.

Even if it’s not a famous spot, you can enjoy your own unique view.

I’ve introduced a few of my recommended spots, but Kyoto has autumn leaves everywhere, so to be honest, you’ll see a lot of beautiful things even if you just ride along random paths on your e-bike. The best thing about a bicycle trip is that you can take your time to find your own amazing views that aren’t in the guidebooks, without being limited to the spots I’ve just introduced.
Why not try cycling around Kyoto in the fall?

Best 8 Bicycle Rental Shops in Kyoto (2024 Edition, with MAP)

Anyone who knows Kyoto to some extent will know that the best way to get around is by bicycle.
Especially in recent years, with the increase in tourists, buses, taxis, and trains are all full. Yet Kyoto city is rapidly developing its bicycle infrastructure, and technological innovations such as e-bikes have made cycling more convenient than ever.
So, here are some recommended shops where you can rent bicycles in Kyoto!

*Shared bicycles are not included.

Kyo no Raku chari

A bicycle rental shop with three locations in Kyoto City.

This is a city bike, so it is suitable for traveling short distances within Kyoto city.
Delivery to your accommodation is also available upon reservation.

*Reservations must be made at least 2 days in advance.

Bicycle type & prices

City electric assist bicycle: 2,500 yen per day

Kyoto eco trip

This is a rental shop with two locations in Kyoto City that offers electric city bikes and non-electric cross bikes. They also deliver to hotels.

It’s also suitable for traveling short distances within Kyoto city.
Delivery to your accommodation is also available upon reservation.

*Reservations must be made at least 2 days in advance.

Bicycle type & prices

City electric assist bicycle: 2,400 yen per day

Kyoto E-Bike Rent & Tours Saiin

This company offers full-fledged e-bike and sports bike rentals and guided tours in Kyoto, Amanohashidate, Ine, and other locations.
They specialize in long-term, long-distance bicycle trips, and provide services such as chargers, pannier bags, puncture repair kits, emergency response, and tours with support cars.

*Advance reservations are required.

Bicycle type & prices

Road E-Bike: 9,000 yen/ 2days~

Mini E-Bike(Tern Vektron) 7,500 yen/ 2days~

Kyoto Miyabi-ya

They rent out electric-assist city bikes and non-electric cross bikes, and offer a wide range of detailed services, including water and maps.

Bicycle type & prices

City electric assist bicycle: 2,400 yen per day

Regular hybrid bike: 2,000 yen per day

Kyoto Cycling Tour Project

A bicycle rental shop in front of Kyoto Station that also offers guided cycling tours around the city.

Bicycle type & prices

City electric assist bicycle: 2,700 yen per day

Regular city bicycle: 1,200 yen per day~

100 BIKES KYOTO

They rent high-quality road bikes and electric city bikes.
They also offer delivery to accommodations and guided tours.

Bicycle type & prices

Carbon road bike: 7,000 yen per day

Regular hybrid bike: 3,000 yen per day

City electric assister bike: 2,000 yen per day

J-Cycle

A very cheap rental shop near Gojo Station.

Bicycle type & prices

City electric assister bike: 1,700 yen per day

Regular hybrid bike: 1,400 yen per day

Buai-so

A shop that rents bicycles for riding around Arashiyama.

Bicycle type & prices

City electric assister bike: 1,800 yen per day

Regular hybrid bike: 1,300 yen per day

Here are some recommended cycling courses in Kyoto!

Begginer Lv

Top 5 cycling courses in Kyoto

2024年8月14日

Top 5 cycling courses in Kyoto

while the main streets that are easy for foreigners to understand are jammed with hellish traffic, 100 meters further in you’ll find beautiful alleys where locals can coolly get around on their bicycles.
Furthermore, the roads up the hills, where you would hesitate to ride an E-Bike, are surprisingly deserted, with only local residents occasionally strolling around.

Bicycle parking MAP in Kyoto

Bicycle parking rules in Japan

Urban Area

Not

Bicycles will be removed from no-parking areas.

OK

Most public facilities such as temples and shrines have free bicycle parking areas, but they may be hard to find or the signs may only be in Japanese, so if you can’t find it, just ask.

Coin-operated bicycle parking lots require Japanese currency. Recently, some parking lots also accept card payments.

Kyoto also has many city-run bicycle parking lots, which usually cost between 100 and 200 yen per day.

Depends on surrounding conditions

It’s the same in every country, but when parking on a store’s premises, make sure you take into consideration the surrounding conditions, such as whether there are any signs prohibiting bicycle parking, whether you are blocking other people’s movements, or any signs.
The best thing to do is ask the store staff, if there are any.

Local Area

Be careful not to get in the way of cars or agriculture.

Kyoto City

Explanation of each area in Kyoto city and cycling

ー　Cycling route

❶〜❾ Famous areas

❶Higashiyama Area

This is an area where the most famous spots such as Kiyomizu-Temple, Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, and Gion are concentrated and tourists gather. Buses, trains, and taxis are hopelessly crowded, so the smartest option is to park your E-Bike in the bicycle parking lot and walk.
It takes 20 minutes by E-Bike from our Saiin Rental Center.

❷Fushimi Inari Area

It is famous for its Senbon Torii gates and the mystical Inariyama trekking route. The shrine entrance from the station is incredibly crowded.
The cycling route inside Inariyama is not obvious to tourists, so it is best to take a guided tour or park at the nearby bicycle parking lot and walk.
It takes 30 minute e-bike ride from the Saiin Rental Center.

❸Arashiyama Area

This is a noble area with the tombs of the imperial family and related facilities. The road from the station to the bamboo forest is the epitome of overtourism, with more people than bamboo. After parking in the bicycle parking lot and walking a little through the crowded area, take a bike ride to the less crowded Sagano area to the north.
It takes 30-minute e-bike ride from the Saiin Rental Center.

❹Kinkakuji Area

This is an area where you can enjoy a stroll through the golden temple and the large garden. Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, located just south of the temple, also has an exhibition of national treasures such as Japanese swords and demon hunting, which are also recommended. It is far from the train station, so the buses are crowded.
It is a 20-minute e-bike ride from the Saiin Rental Center.

❺Nanzenji Area

This area is home to the Philosopher’s Path, Ginkakuji Temple, and Nanzenji Temple, and is relatively quiet, retaining the atmosphere of an old temple town. There is also a bicycle path next to the Philosopher’s Path, so you can cycle leisurely and in the cool. There are also several free bicycle parking areas.
It is a 30-minute e-bike ride from the Saiin Rental Center.

❻Kamigamo Area

Kamigamo shrine is representative of Japanese Shinto and has a different atmosphere from Buddhist temples. Even if you are not interested in Shinto, cycling along the upstream of the nearby Kamo River will give you a unique sense of exhilaration and a first-hand experience of Japanese Shintoism, which values a sense of oneness with nature.
It is a 30-minute e-bike ride from the Saiin Rental Center.

❼Kurama & Kifune Area

Kurama Temple is the head temple of a special Buddhist sect and has a unique atmosphere unlike other temples. The hiking trail between there and Kifune Shrine is very popular.

❽Mt.Hiei Area

Mt.Hiei is the largest sanctuary of Japanese Buddhism, which has survived until modern times semi-independently from the government. There are over 500 facilities, and it is also a place of training for monks, called Sennichi Shugyo. Only locals know the route that can be taken by MTB, so tourists are recommended to park their bikes at the bicycle parking lot in front of the cable car station and climb the mountain.

❾Nijo Area

This area is home to Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace, and was the political center of Kyoto. Even today, it is a busy place with many government facilities and corporate buildings. There are also many train stations, so it is a good place to stay and eat. Whether it is fun to visit here depends on your preferences.

Useful information for getting around Kyoto

Bicycle parking near tourist spots in Kyoto city (latest version for 2024)

“Bicycke Highway” ; Kamo river & Katsura river cycling road

When it comes to travelling north and south in Kyoto, the bicycle is king.

Kyoto has a grid-like layout of roads, and the main roads are jammed with traffic lights and traffic jams that prevent cars from moving at all.
Trains are intermittent and require transfers. This means that bicycles are overwhelmingly advantageous in terms of speed, comfort, and cost.

Furthermore, when traveling east to west, you can travel surprisingly quickly, safely, and comfortably by using the ancient paths rather than the modern, wide roads for automobiles.
You can also discover quaint shops and Jizo statues along the way.

And when you think about it, it’s only natural that much of Kyoto’s old townscape and nature remains in the hard-to-reach areas along the mountainside, while the lowlands are business districts, industrial areas, and residential areas.
This means that the e-bike, which allows you to get away from the station and up hills, is the best way to discover old Kyoto.

In the past, aristocrats traveled in oxcarts and samurai rode horses in Kyoto.
You too can hop on a modern-day horse, an E-Bike, and explore the inside and outside of Kyoto!

The best cycling routes around Kyoto

Our rental tour base in Kyoto City

Kyoto city

Kyoto E-Bike Tours & Rent Saiin

This is our Kyoto base, which just opened in August 2024.It is a little hard to find as it is renovated from a house that was originally an acupuncture clinic.Although it is not in a tourist area, it is right in the middle of Kyoto’s most popular tourist sites, such as Arashiyama, Higashiyama, Kinkakuji Temple, …

prova “Kyoto City”

Rental and cycling tours departing from Kyoto city

Kyoto E-Bike Tours & Rent Saiin

This is our Kyoto base, which just opened in August 2024.
It is a little hard to find as it is renovated from a house that was originally an acupuncture clinic.
Although it is not in a tourist area, it is right in the middle of Kyoto’s most popular tourist sites, such as Arashiyama, Higashiyama, Kinkakuji Temple, and Fushimi Inari, and you can get to any of them in 30 minutes by E-Bike. It is the perfect place to rent an E-Bike and explore.

All Kyoto city attractions are within 30 minutes from here.

Tern Vektron ( (Range: 60km~)

From here you can travel round trip to Osaka, Nara, Lake Biwa, and Wazuka in one day.

We have been renting and touring full-scale E-Bikes on the Sea of Japan side of northern Kyoto for over 6 years, and we are fully aware of their performance and how to use them.
Kyoto is not just a city, but has historical roads stretching from north to south, east to west, and beyond the mountains is another world. Japan’s largest lake, thatched roof villages, tea fields as far as the eye can see, pure waterfalls and rivers, all of which are perfect for an E-Bike trip.

You can go long distances on a drop-handle E-Bike, or explore the mountains and narrow paths on a mountain bike. You can experience cycling that you can never experience outside of Japan, outside of Kyoto.

Giant Escape E+ (Range: 100km~)

If you hate traffic jams, bus queues and crowded subways,

Then enjoy an exhilarating ride through Kyoto on a modern horse!

Kyoto City is a very crowded city. It’s only natural if you’re trying to get to well-known spots using well-known means of transportation.
If that happens, most of your time in Kyoto will be spent in unpleasant traffic jams and waiting, and the sights you see will be crowded.
Moreover, many of these famous tourist spots are recently built, and in fact have little historical depth.
However, if you walk up the hill about 500m from the famous spots, you’ll find truly historic temples, roads, forests, and houses where no one is around.

E-bike Rent Reservation

In principle, E-Bike rental requires a reservation. In some cases, you may be able to rent an E-Bike without a reservation, but the staff may not be at the store at the time, so you may have to wait a little.

Guided tour & Car transport service

The plan is to transport people and bicycles in a support vehicle and cycle from best location to best location, avoiding congested city streets and difficult roads.

There are five-seater (four passengers) and eight-seater (seven passengers) vehicles available.

We offer a simple plan where we unload your bike, give you a 10-minute guided tour, and then cycle to the hotel on your own, and a full plan where a car accompanies you throughout the tour.

*These tours include pick-up and drop-off from hotels and stations in Kyoto city.

Access

10 minutes walk from Saiin Station or Tambaguchi Station

*It’s one block behind the main street. It’s behind a motorcycle shop “Pulse Nishi-oji Gojo Store.”

Japan Transit Planner

Overview of Kyoto city sightseeing & cycling

Area

Kyoto City

Explanation of each area in Kyoto city and cycling ー　Cycling route ❶〜❾ Famous areas Useful information for getting around Kyoto Bicycle parking near tourist spots in Kyoto city (latest version for 2024) “Bicycke Highway” ; Kamo river & Katsura river cycling road When it comes to travelling north and south in Kyoto, the bicycle is …

prova “Kyoto E-Bike Tours & Rent Saiin”

Begginer Lv

Top 5 cycling courses in Kyoto

while the main streets that are easy for foreigners to understand are jammed with hellish traffic, 100 meters further in you’ll find beautiful alleys where locals can coolly get around on their bicycles.
Furthermore, the roads up the hills, where you would hesitate to ride an E-Bike, are surprisingly deserted, with only local residents occasionally strolling around.

Kyoto to Amanohashidate (2~3 days/ 125km)

280km/ ▲1600m

Kyoto to Ine via Miyama (3~4 days/ 180km)

280km/ ▲1600m

When is the best season to visit Japan? Rainy season, snow, and heatwaves

Japan is the country with the most climate zones in the world.

From high mountain climates like the Alps to cold climates like Alaska, Pacific climates like Hawaii to Mediterranean climates, this archipelago has it all.
This means that you can always do your favourite activities, depending on the time of year and the location!

A. Hokkaido: Cold climate

Famous places include Sapporo, Niseko, and Furano.

There are differences between the north and south sides. In the north (Japan Sea side, such as Sapporo), it snows a lot in the winter. Summer is comfortable and dry.
In the south (Pacific Ocean side, such as Kushiro), it is very cold in the winter but doesn’t snow much. In the summer, it is very foggy.

B. Japan Sea side: Humid subtropical & dry summer

Famous places include Amanohashidate, Ine, Kanazawa, and Kinosaki.

Temperatures vary between the north(such as Aomori) and south(such as Miyazu), but summers are dry and mostly sunny, while winters are rainy or snowy throughout the year, with a rainy season from late June to early July. Typhoons rarely come.

C. Pacific side: Humid subtropical & dry winter

This is the region where most of Japan’s population is concentrated (such as Tokyo, Kyoto) and where industrialization is most advanced. Summers are extremely hot and humid, but winters are sunny. There is a rainy season from late June to early July, and typhoons often come from August to October. This is also an area that is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.

D. Central Highlands climate

Famous places include Hida Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Hakuba.

Humidity is low and temperature is low throughout the year. It is generally cloudy. It snows a lot in winter. June is the rainy season.

E. Seto Inland Sea climate

Famous places include Hiroshima, Shimanami, and Kobe.

It gets really hot in the summer. Humidity is generally low. It is sunny in the summer and winter, but it tends to rain in the spring and fall.

F. Southwest Islands climate

Famous places include Okinawa and Ogasawara.

It is warm all year round, there is no rainy season, and typhoons come frequently.

A completely new climate zone: Urban

Like many cities around the world, Japan is highly urbanized and the climate is changing dramatically, especially in Tokyo and Osaka.

More and more Japanese and foreigners are flocking to the cities, where the heat from air conditioners and cars makes it hotter, and then people turn on even more powerful air conditioners… creating a vicious cycle that makes summers hotter and hotter.
Every year many children and elderly people die from heatstroke, so be careful of the risk to your life if you go to Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka in the summer.
Conversely, in winter the concrete jungles block out sunlight and the wind from the buildings makes you freezing.

However, the number of Japanese people living in cities and tourists going to cities continues to increase, and the countryside where I live is becoming less and less crowded. However, it has become cooler and more comfortable. I definitely recommend traveling to the countryside of Japan!

Recommended times and areas for each activity

Sightseeing in the city

*All of Japan’s major cities are on the Pacific coast.

C. Pacific Area (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya)

Better

October to May

Bad

June to September

Cycling

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

A

⛄️

🤔

🙂

👍

😐

🤔

⛄️

B

⛄️

🙂

👍

☔️

🙂

⛄️

C

🙂

👍

☔️

🥵

🌪️

👍

🙂

D

⛄️

🙂

☔️

👍

🙂

⛄️

E

🙂

👍

☔️

🥵

🙂

F

👍

🙂

🥵

🙂

👍

Famous cycling routes in each area

A. Hokkaido

Furano

Lake Shikotsu

＼Our Area／

B. Japan Sea side

Tango peninsula

Noto peninsula

C. Pacific side

Mt.Fuji

Wakayama

D. Central Highlands

Hakuba

Nakasendo

E. Seto Inland Sea

Shimanami

F. Southwest Islands

Okinawa

By the way, our area can be enjoyed in any season by changing the location and method: cycling along the sea in spring and autumn, mountain biking in the mountains in summer, and cycling within Kyoto city in winter! Please make a reservation.

How to get to Ine and the best way to see it

For those who want to see “old Japan before modernization” rather than “urban Japan,” Ine is the perfect place.

The problem, and the reason the building isn’t standing, is that it’s difficult to access.

I have lived in Ine for a long time, and there is a reason why I rent out E-Bikes. I will explain each access method and the problems.

Table of Contents

CLOSE

1. Access to the nearest station, Amanohashidate
2. Bus from Amanohashidate Station (1h)
3. Rent car (40h)
4. Cycling ! (1h)

Access to the nearest station, Amanohashidate

To get to Ine, whether by car or public transport, you’ll first need to travel to the nearby hub station, Amanohashidate Station. Each has its pros and cons.

Train

2h10min~ from Kyoto Station (±4800 yen)
2h30min~ from Osaka Station (±5500 yen)
Japan Transit Planner is useful to search the route

Highway bus

2h from Kyoto Station (3400 yen)
2h40min from Osaka Station (3400 yen)
Japan Bus Online is useful to search & book

Rent Car

about 2h from Kyoto

Bus from Amanohashidate Station (1h)

1h from Amanohashidate Station
Approximately 1 bus per hour
There is no English timetable available, so it’s best to check it on Google Maps.

[Problem]

There is only one bus per hour, and it is very crowded.
The bus can accommodate 27 people, so if you can’t get on, you have to wait for an hour.
During peak times, the train may be delayed by 1-2 hours.

Rent car (40h)

These are causing a big problem.

Ine has only about 100 parking spaces, and the roads are narrow, so traffic jams easily form. This not only makes it difficult for tourists to walk peacefully, but also disrupts ambulances and other services for residents.

For drivers, having to wait in the car for tens of minutes is very stressful.

Cycling ! (1h)

If you rent an E-Bike at Amanohashidate Station, you can get there in just one hour.

There’s no need to endure nausea for long periods of time on a sweltering bus. You won’t get frustrated with traffic jams. And you won’t be a nuisance to the local community.

What’s more, the road is flat and pleasant, with views of the most beautiful ocean along the way. You’ll also discover little things like rice fields and springs.

You can also cycle across the sandbar of Amanohashidate, which is both a shortcut and a great experience.
We also offer an E-Bike rental service in Ine, and you can drop off the bike in both Amanohashidate and Ine.

If you don’t know what an E-Bike is, try it out at a shop in your country. You’ll understand firsthand how innovative it is and what a great tool it is for sightseeing in Ine.
Please make use of our service!