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Model Course

Kyoto~Wazuka Tea Fields & Nara(1~2days)

We will explain the cycling route through Japan’s most historic tea plantations from the perspective of a cyclist living in Kyoto.

The Wazuka tea fields are located 35km south of central Kyoto, and can be reached in as little as 1.5 hours by e-bike.

Wazuka is a small village with a population of 3,500, where tea production is the main industry. The village is covered with tea fields as far as the eye can see, making it a truly otherworldly place.

What sets this place apart from other tea-producing regions is its long history and the prestige of its brand. It is the main producer of “Uji tea,” which is the world’s finest tea and has played a central role in Japan’s tea culture.

It’s a fantastic route that involves cycling through tea plantations, eating the most delicious tea sweets and drinking locally grown tea.

Model Course 1. Kyoto~Uji~Wazuka Loop Course

90km(56mi)

6h~8h

Road situation;

Protected Bicycle Sidewalk

& Wide Road

& Path where almost no cars pass

The plan is to travel from Kyoto through the tourist spots of Uji, cross the mountains at Amagase Dam, enter Wazuka, and then return to Kyoto via the Kizugawa-Katsura River Cycling Road.

This is a rather tough itinerary, so if you are not an accomplished cyclist, it would be better to plan to stay overnight in the Nara area (described below) or to use a car transfer service.

Although the distance is long, it is generally flat, and you can go fast especially on the cycling road along the river. There are steep hills when entering and leaving Wazuka.

1. Rent a E-Bike at Saiin, Kyoto

The road is generally paved, but because the tea fields are on slopes and Wazuka is a village surrounded by mountains, an E-Bike is the best option. Battery consumption will be about 70%.

2. Uji (18km, 1.5h)

From Kyoto to Uji, after the Kamogawa Cycling Road, you will go through public roads in the city. It may not be very comfortable.
Uji is a key transportation hub with a history of 1500 years. Tea made in Wazuka is sold all over the world as Uji tea.

Byodo-in & shops

There is the famous Byodo-in Temple, as well as many cafes and souvenir shops, so it’s a great place to take a break.

3. Amagase Dam (22km, 3h)

Amagase Dam is an impressive dam that connects Lake Biwa with the Seto Inland Sea. The water flows from the city of Otsu, so it smells a bit bad.

The path on the north side of the river is a very nice trail with views down to the river.

4. Wazuka dan dan Cafe (38km, 4h)

This is a cafe with a view of the tea fields that is popular with cyclists.

Green Tea Sweets

There are a few other cafes in Wazuka, but as far as I’ve tried, the sweets at the cafes here were better than any tea sweets shops in Kyoto. The tea flavor really came through.

Cycling through the tea fields

Generally, you can ride your bike on paved roads, but please be careful not to get in the way of farmers.
Tea fields are full of hills, but with an e-bike you will easily lose track of time and need to charge your bike, so be careful.

5. Nagare-bridge (68km, 7h)

Once you leave Wazuka and head out onto the Kizugawa River, you’ll find yourself on a smooth but somewhat boring cycle path along the river. One interesting point along the way is this Nagarebashi Bridge. It’s often used as a filming location for period dramas, but it’s actually a fully functional bridge, designed to be washed away in the event of a flood so that it can be quickly restored.

6. Goal at Kyoto (90km, 8h)

Finish at a hotel in Kyoto! Kyoto has many izakayas, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day of travel.

Our rental bikes can be collected at your hotel, and you can continue riding the next day.

Model Course 2. Kyoto~Wazuka~Nara round trip

105km(65mi)

2 days

Road situation;

Protected Bicycle Sidewalk

& Wide Road

& Path where almost no cars pass

The route from Kyoto to Wazuka is the same as the model itinerary mentioned above, but in this case you will stay overnight in Nara and visit the famous sites there the next day before heading back to Kyoto.

The distance and difficulty are not much different from Model Course 1, but since it is split over two days, you will have more time to sightsee.

5. Nara Park

Nara Park is famous for the deer that are common in the area. Since ancient times, deer have been considered sacred creatures and have been raised with great care. In consideration of the ecosystem, it is prohibited to feed the deer anything other than special deer crackers.

Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple

The Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, next to Nara Park, is a World Heritage Site and was built about 1,300 years ago as a symbol of the prestige of ancient Japan. It is the culmination of various ancient techniques and beliefs, and will overwhelm you with everything you see.

6. Site of the ancient capital of Nara

Nara was the former capital of Japan from 710 to 794 AD. It never flourished as much as Kyoto, but you can still see faithful reproductions of the palace gates and main streets of the time.

Model Course 3. The support car will transport you and your cyclist to Wazuka/Nara before cycling.

35km~

4 hours~

Road situation;

Protected Bicycle Sidewalk

& Path where almost no cars pass

This plan involves being picked up from your hotel in Kyoto, transported to Wazuka or Nara by car along with your bike, and cycling one way only.

We will provide a vehicle appropriate for your group, from sports wagons to vans.

It takes about an hour by car from Kyoto to Wazuka/Nara.

Although it costs a little more, we also offer a fully supported tour where a support vehicle accompanies you at all times.

Cycling around Lake Biwa & Kyoto (1~4days)

Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, and cycling around the lake is very popular.
It’s very close to Kyoto, and an e-bike can take you to the western end of the lake in 15km (1 hour).
You can cycle along the canal from Kyoto to Lake Biwa, or take a short loop to Omihachiman, the old center of Lake Biwa, and back, or even cycle 200km around the lake over three days.

Model itinerary for sightseeing in Kyoto City (3days)

Recently, Kyoto has been hit by an issue of too many tourists, but in this article, a Japanese person living in Kyoto will explain a model itinerary for avoiding the crowds and enjoying a pleasant stroll through the historic area.

Day 1 Walk around the shopping area near the hotel

Wherever you stay in Kyoto, there will usually be a shopping street nearby.
A shopping street is a covered street lined with many small shops.
Kyoto has many old shops, so it’s fun to start by browsing the markets and shops in the shopping streets.

Every street in Kyoto is over 1000 years old and is home to shrines, temples and historical sites.
It’s a good idea to explore these little discoveries before heading to the big, famous temples.

At night, go to an izakaya or ramen shop you found during the day.
Japan is the safest country in the world at night, and drinking districts are developed everywhere in cities. You can enjoy all kinds of cuisine from around the world, including Japanese, Chinese, and Western food there.

Day 2 Rent an E-Bike to visit famous tourist spots

If you look at a map, you’ll see that most of Kyoto’s historical sites are on or near hills.
Because Kyoto is a city surrounded by rivers, buildings on low ground have been washed away by floods many times.
And to protect the historical buildings, Kyoto’s public transportation is mediocre, and it’s also congested by a large number of tourists.
So what’s the best way to avoid that and travel comfortably? Yes, an e-bike.

We have a wide range of E-Bikes for hire to suit all types of customers. We can deliver and collect from your hotel, drop off at a remote location, or transport both bike and passenger in the car.

You can reach all the famous sites in Kyoto, such as the Philosopher’s Path, Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari, in just 30 minutes by e-bike.
If you ask anyone living in Kyoto City, including myself, “What is the fastest and most comfortable form of transportation in Kyoto?”, they will undoubtedly answer “e-bike.”

Please see my other article for more information on famous places and cycling routes in Kyoto city.

For those who are accustomed to cycling, and many of our customers do this, it’s also a good idea to go exploring over the mountains, to see the tea fields of Wazuka and Lake Biwa, the mountains of Kitayama, and the rivers of Kameoka.
What’s interesting about Kyoto is that if you go 10km over the mountains, you can enjoy a different world full of beautiful nature.

Please also take advantage of our one-way transportation in our support vehicles and fully supported guided tours.

On hot days, limit your daytime activities and enjoy the evenings. We also offer night-time cycling tours and self-guided routes.

In particular, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine become even more mystical if you visit them in the evening or at night.

Day 3 Enjoy cultural experiences, river boating and so on

In Kyoto, there are various cultural experiences such as Yuzen dyeing, kimono dressing, matcha tea, etc. Most of the experiences are 1 to 2 hours long, but they are recommended for those who are interested in Japanese culture.

For children and young adults, batting cages and table tennis courts are a good option.

It’s a very familiar pastime for Japanese people, so there are many of them in Kyoto city.

River boating in Kameoka, west of Kyoto

Hiking to Kibune and Kurama Temple in the north of Kyoto

How many days should you stay in Kyoto?

How many nights you should stay in Kyoto will depend on your preferences and the results of your research.
However, Kyoto is one of the world’s leading tourist destinations and a symbol of Japanese history and culture. You should stay at least two nights.
If you enjoy cycling, walking around the city, hiking, and experiencing the culture, you could easily spend a week there without getting bored.
Of course, there are other great tourist destinations in Japan, such as Ine and Miyama, so be sure to balance your itinerary with trips to those places.

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?

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