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Cycle Tripエリア
Self-Guided Cycling Trip from Kyoto city
There's a huge difference in satisfaction when cycling in Kyoto between knowing the routes and not knowing them. General main roads are overflowing with cars and buses, making it difficult to enjoy safe and comfortable cycling. We're familiar with Kyoto's roads and have created original digital maps (Google My Maps, Strava, cycle computers) that allow for comfortable cycling routes to major tourist spots and hidden gems. We create specialized digital maps for long rides not only within Kyoto city, but also to the suburbs, such as from Kyoto to Wazuka to Nara, from Kyoto to Lake Biwa, and from Kyoto to the Tango Peninsula. By linking with your device's GPS system, we provide comfortable and inspiring route guidance.
In addition, we can communicate with customers via WhatsApp in case of trouble or emergency. *However, we do not provide tourist spot or cultural information via WhatsApp.
Detail
| Service | Self-Guided Cycling Trip from Kyoto city |
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| Business hours | Reservation required. 7:30-11:00(You can return the bike up until 20:00) |
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Just knowing the route will make cycling in Kyoto many times more enjoyable.
Kyoto is an ancient capital with a history of over 1,000 years, and there are many ancient roads that aristocrats and samurai traveled along. If you know the route, you can discover wonderful old roads just a short distance from the center of Kyoto. Kyoto is a compact city that is perfect for cycling, with urban and natural areas concentrated close to each other.
Kyoto is also a great base for long-distance cycling trips to the suburbs, making it the perfect cycling destination.
Cycling around Kyoto – Pilgrimage to hidden spots in Kyoto City –
In Kyoto City, there are no-bicycle zones around Shijo Kawaramachi, a bustling shopping street. Our self-guided system recommends hidden spots and relatively quiet routes in Kyoto, so it does not include the central Kyoto area (downtown district), where cycling is not comfortable.The digital map shows the routes used by local cyclists, including the Saga-Arashiyama area on the west side of Kyoto City (Tenryuji Temple, Monkey Park, Bamboo Forest Park, Adashino Nenbutsu Temple), Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Imperial Palace, and Daitoku-ji Temple in the center, the Higashiyama area on the east side (Kamo River, Gion, Nanzen-ji Temple), and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine on the south side.In Kyoto city, the tourist attractions can be roughly divided into two areas: Arashiyama (west) and Higashiyama (east). If you cycle around either area, the circumference is about 30km, but if you go via Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in the south, it is about 40km, and if you go via Kifune Shrine and Kurama Temple in the north, it is about 60km (a complete loop around Kyoto city).
Please be aware that police enforcement of bicycle regulations will become stricter from April 2026.
As the roads in Kyoto City have small steps and pebbles, we recommend an electric bicycle with a front suspension fork and block tires.Personally, I prefer E-MTBs or similar types of electric bicycles.You can rent this bike at our store
Kyoto to Lake Biwa – Japan’s National Cycle Roads –
It’s only about 20km from central Kyoto to Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture, where Lake Biwa is located. Lake Biwa is also recognized as a national cycle route and is famous throughout Japan. It’s the largest lake in Japan, with a 200km circumnavigation course.
It can be a bit dangerous to head to Lake Biwa via the busy national highway between Kyoto and Otsu. Our original Google My Maps guides you to safe, hidden routes with beautiful scenery that only local cyclists know about.
Cycling from Kyoto to Lake Biwa(Jump to the headquarters website)
Lake Biwa is a national cycle road, so the roads are well maintained in many places. The roads are marked with blue lines for bicycles, and are flat, making it easy to go fast. Many cyclists ride non-electric road bikes, but if you have an electric bike, we recommend a touring type.You can rent this bike at our store
Kyoto to Nara – Two ancient capitals and the tea fields of Wazuka –
Kyoto and Nara are ancient capitals with a history of over 1,000 years. Modern, well-maintained national highways have heavy traffic and are not suitable for cycling. Therefore, we recommend the ancient roads that the samurai used. There is little traffic and you can cycle while viewing the old townscape. Wazuka Town, located halfway between Kyoto and Nara, is a particular highlight. Wazuka Town is a major producer of Japanese tea (matcha), and this route allows you to cycle along the roads of vast tea plantations.
The shortest route from Kyoto City to Nara Park, where there are many deer, is about 45km, but the main road is too busy and dangerous. We recommend the approximately 70km route, which has less traffic and passes through the ancient Japanese tea plantations in Wazuka Town.
Kyoto to Shimanami-Kaido – Japan’s most famous cycling mecca –
This cycling route, approximately 70km long, connects Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture. It offers stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea and the beauty of bridge structures, making it a popular “holy site for cyclists” both domestically and internationally.
The Shimanami Kaido has attracted global attention after being selected as one of the “world’s seven best cycling routes” by CNN (a travel news website) in the United States.
The Shimanami Kaido has many flat sections, and most users ride road bikes or hybrid bikes. Since there are also many opportunities to take ferries between islands, the Giant Escape RE+, a relatively lightweight electric bicycle, is recommended.You can rent this bike at our store
Kyoto to Tango Peninsula – The origin of Japan –
Japan has many wonderful cycling routes, including the Shimanami Kaido, Lake Biwa, and Hida Takayama, but personally, the Tango Peninsula on the coast of Kyoto Prefecture is exceptional. The terrain and scenery change dramatically, making it an exciting field for true cyclists. It is also a region with a long history as the birthplace of Japan, where you can discover the good old days of Japan. Our shop, headquartered on the Tango Peninsula, is familiar with the local cycling routes and even has its own original Google My Maps.
The shortest route from Kyoto City to the Tango Peninsula is about 120km, but it includes dangerous sections with heavy traffic, so we recommend taking the back roads used by local cyclists, which offer beautiful scenery and safety. Depending on the route, if you stop at accommodations, the total distance is about 160km. If you include a route that circles the Tango Peninsula, the total distance is over 200km.
We recommend an E-MTB or touring electric bicycle, as the route involves cycling over varied terrain with many ups and downs. Although the route is paved, you will often ride on mountain roads and encounter small twigs and pebbles on the road. For safe cycling, we recommend an E-MTB.You can rent this bike at our store
Kyoto E-MTB – Kyoto Forest Road with a history of over 1,200 years –
Many of Kyoto’s unpaved forest roads are privately owned, so you need to check in advance before driving. Also, the signs say “Private property, no trespassing” in Japanese, which can be confusing for foreign tourists. This page introduces routes that are considered to be public mountain roads that are drivable.Many mountain routes are at high elevations—with some areas being about 10 degrees cooler than Kyoto city—making them recommended for cycling during the summer season.
The handlebars are already equipped with a mobile phone holder and a water bottle holder.
We have helmets available in a variety of sizes, including children’s helmets, and we also provide anti-theft locks. All of these can be borrowed free of charge.
Battery chargers are available for rental to customers who rent for two days or more, and pannier bags are available for rental to customers who have a lot of luggage or who are going on long-distance bicycle trips.
*There are some vehicle models that cannot be fitted with pannier bags.
We have both original Google maps and paper maps available for self-guided use. If you tell our staff what you need when you visit our store, they may be able to give you some good advice.
Inquiry
Please contact via Chat App by pressing the button below.
If you cannnot use all of these application, please contact
kyoto.ocean@gmail.com
We will cycle from Kyoto City to the Tango Peninsula, located in the northernmost part of Kyoto Prefecture and home to one of Japan's most recommended and dynamic coastlines.
For cyclists, Kyoto is a great location for exploring hidden spots and the countryside, as long as you have a map.
This is a cycling route along the Shimanami Kaido in Hiroshima Prefecture, which is strongly recommended by the Japanese government.
If you want to relax in midsummer in Kyoto, we recommend Kyoto by the sea. Using the hotel as your base, you can enjoy leisurely cycling through the good old countryside of Kyoto.
Cycle Tripエリアのおすすめ
We will cycle from Kyoto City to the Tango Peninsula, located in the northernmost part of Kyoto Prefecture and home to one of Japan's most recommended and dynamic coastlines.
For cyclists, Kyoto is a great location for exploring hidden spots and the countryside, as long as you have a map.
This is a cycling route along the Shimanami Kaido in Hiroshima Prefecture, which is strongly recommended by the Japanese government.
If you want to relax in midsummer in Kyoto, we recommend Kyoto by the sea. Using the hotel as your base, you can enjoy leisurely cycling through the good old countryside of Kyoto.
