Kyoto E Bike Tour Higashiyama Temples Hidden Alleys
Description
This is not a checklist sightseeing ride. It is a local Kyoto e-bike experience through Higashiyama temples and hidden alleys, guided by someone who rides these streets every day. We start with bike fitting and a clear safety briefing, then ride from the Imperial Palace area along the Kamo River and into Higashiyama. At Nashinoki Shrine, you collect fresh spring water like locals do—your reusable bottle is a gift and becomes your drinking water for the ride. At Shimogamo Shrine, we do the famous water omikuji (included): dip the paper in water and the message appears, a clever tradition and a fun test of luck. We then visit the quiet Honenin area, continue to iconic Nanzenji, and finish at Heian Shrine. We avoid busy main roads when possible and adjust the route to match crowds and conditions, keeping the ride smooth, safe, and memorable. If you want Kyoto that feels lived-in and authentic, this ride is for you.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We stop at Nashinoki Shrine, a place locals visit for fresh spring water. You will receive a bottle, fill it at the shrine, and use it as your drinking water throughout the ride.
We ride along the Kamo River, a place where locals relax and spend time in everyday Kyoto. Feel the open air and river breeze as we avoid busy main roads and choose quieter paths and backstreets.
We stop at Shimogamo Shrine, an ancient shrine set in a forested area north of central Kyoto, known for its calm atmosphere and deep historical presence. Here we try the famous water fortune—dip the paper in water and the message appears—an ingenious tradition that feels like a fun test of luck.
We visit Honenin Temple, a quiet spot in Higashiyama that feels far from the busy sightseeing routes. We approach through local streets and hidden alleys, and take time to enjoy the stillness and the simple beauty of the temple grounds.
We stop at Nanzenji Temple, one of Kyoto’s most famous temple areas, known for its grand gate and spacious grounds. We take time to enjoy the atmosphere and capture photos, then continue the ride while adjusting your route to match the day’s crowd levels.
We finish at Heian Shrine, a striking landmark with a wide approach and an impressive vermilion gate. It is a great place for photos and a clear “Kyoto moment” to close the ride before heading back.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We do not recommend this tour for guests who cannot ride a bicycle.
Reviews(78)
It was a wonderful tour through Kyoto. I discovered wonderful place I was never been before. Tour guide Kei was very friendly and informative. A great way to discover Kyoto ! Certainly recommendable!
Awesome tour! Highly recommend it!
Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. It was a pleasure guiding you around Kyoto, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience. I hope you had a wonderful time in Japan, and I would be more than happy to guide you again when you visit Kyoto in the future. Thank you again for choosing this tour. Kei
Very nice bike ride, great cycling, endearing and knowledgeable guide. Kei told interesting things and also had a good answer to all our questions. Exploring Kyoto by bike with him is a very good idea! Do... we say!
Hartelijk dank voor uw deelname aan de tour en voor uw vriendelijke recensie. Het was een genoegen u rond te leiden in Kyoto en ik ben blij te horen dat u ervan genoten heeft. Ik hoop dat u een fantastische tijd in Japan heeft gehad en ik zou u graag weer begeleiden wanneer u Kyoto in de toekomst bezoekt. Nogmaals bedankt dat u voor deze tour heeft gekozen. Kei
Kei did a great job showing us the lesser famous parts, but no lesser beautifull. With clear explenations, and eagerness to answer questions. Besides that he made sure we staid safe in traffic, helped us with the traditions/religions and made awesome pictures of/for us. Alltogether worth the trip and a great way to get to know Kyoto!
Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. It was a pleasure guiding you around Kyoto, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience. I hope you had a wonderful time in Japan, and I would be more than happy to guide you again when you visit Kyoto in the future. Thank you again for choosing this tour. Kei
Was an amazing experience. Love to see the hidden spots in kyoto. Tourguide was really nice en knew a lot
Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. It was a pleasure guiding you around Kyoto, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience. I hope you had a wonderful time in Japan, and I would be more than happy to guide you again when you visit Kyoto in the future. Thank you again for choosing this tour. Kei
We had a great time. Our guide Kei was amazing, informative and helpful. We learned so much and would highly recommend it.
Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. It was a pleasure guiding you around Kyoto, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience. I hope you had a wonderful time in Japan, and I would be more than happy to guide you again when you visit Kyoto in the future. Thank you again for choosing this tour. Kei
It was great! So fun AND educational. Highly recommend. Fun seeing Kyoto from a bike. Learned so many details about Kyoto.
Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. It was a pleasure guiding you around Kyoto, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience. I hope you had a wonderful time in Japan, and I would be more than happy to guide you again when you visit Kyoto in the future. Thank you again for choosing this tour. Kei
Guide was superb. Highly recommend.
Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. It was a pleasure guiding you around Kyoto, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience. I hope you had a wonderful time in Japan, and I would be more than happy to guide you again when you visit Kyoto in the future. Thank you again for choosing this tour. Kei
This was so enjoyable tour. After walking so much for the last two days, taking this biking tour was so refreshing for me (and my feet lol). Really, it was great, we went to shrines and temples I don’t think I would have gone by myself, the views while biking were also amazing!!! We were lucky we were the only ones to book the bike tour that day, so it felt extra special, almost like a private tour. But take into account this is a group tour. Now I have to say, our tour guide Kei, was fantastic. He knows so much about the traditions and customs about Shinto and Buddhism in Japan. He also gave us little presents during the tour, that I was not expecting!! I loved it so much thanks for the Polaroid photo 🥹. Lastly, even we took the tour is such a hot day, the bike is so nice we barely felt the heat. Also Kei was so attentive and reminded us to stay hydrated all the time. In brief this was enjoyable and totally worth the time and price. I highly recommend it.
Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. It was a pleasure guiding you around Kyoto, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience. I hope you had a wonderful time in Japan, and I would be more than happy to guide you again when you visit Kyoto in the future. Thank you again for choosing this tour. Kei
This is a wonderful way to see parts of Kyoto and learn about local history and culture. Our guide Kai was friendly, knowledgeable and patient with us! The e-bikes worked fine and even though it was a hot day we had plenty of time for drink stops and shade. Riding along, you still kept reasonably comfortable, with air movement. Highly recommended! Thabks Kai
Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. It was a pleasure guiding you around Kyoto, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience. I hope you had a wonderful time in Japan, and I would be more than happy to guide you again when you visit Kyoto in the future. Thank you again for choosing this tour. Kei
