The 6 Nature Bike Tours in Japan That Earn Their Price

1.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 613 reviews · from $106Our pick

Start at 8:00 am near Saga-Arashiyama Station for a private, three to four hour ride with an English-speaking guide such as Rob, Yuki, Ray, Milo, or Cass. You’ll use a standard Cannondale city bike, walk through the bamboo forest and Tenryu-ji Temple, then pedal quiet lanes, rice fields, shrines, and the Togetsukyo Bridge. It suits confident riders aged 10 and up.

“Great experience for family with pre teenagers before iPhone and social media kills curiosity. Cycling experiences are needed. Guide is safety oriented and very interactive with all. Ask for Yuki as guide”

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2.Afternoon Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys & Hidden Spots

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 283 reviews · from $106

Spend four hours cycling around Arashiyama with guides such as Yuki, Rob, Peter, or Ray. The route links Iwatayama Monkey Park, Bamboo Forest Street, Tenryu-ji’s Sogenchi Garden, and Togetsukyo Bridge. Standard Cannondale city bikes, helmets, water, admissions, and a small group of up to eight are included.

“Biking with Ray was an awesome experience. We connected right away. The bike was light, clean, and brand-new. The seat was very comfortable, and the brakes were very reliable (my career is in automotive and rail brakes!). The route is an excellent mix of city life, rural roads, and forests. Since the entire route is flat (with only a few segments with very light inclines), you can fully immerse yourself in your bike and cultural experience. Ray, an American who has lived in Japan for more than 20 years and has vast experience in the tourism industry, brings a unique perspective and deep knowledge of the Japanese culture and language.…”

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3.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest E-Biking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 183 reviews · from $116

Ride 25km through Kyoto with a guide such as Yuta, Michael, Sean, or Henry, using electric-assist bikes to reach Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, Tōji-in, rural lanes, and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. The 4-hour-15-minute tour includes a bike, helmet, temple fees, and snacks, with groups capped at eight.

“We had a wonderful time on the tour with Sean. He knows Kyoto inside and out and loved sharing his knowledge. The tour was fantastic and we saw more of Kyoto in the four hours of the tour than we ever would have on our own. The elecRead more”

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4.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Morning Tour by Bike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 3h 30m · from $103

Spend 210 minutes cycling through Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide such as Ray, Rob, Milo, Peter, or Yuki. You visit the bamboo forest early, see Togetsukyo Bridge and Tenryuji’s gardens, then ride through rice fields, shrines, temples, and quiet backstreets. The small group is limited to eight, with bikes, helmets, water, and admission included.

“On a crisp but sunny December morning, we joined Ray for the morning bike tour. Very well organized, easy communication before and during the tour. Ray is very knowledgeable and created a really off the beaten path tour for us, taking us to a shrine and a temple, on top of beautiful views of the outskirts of Kyoto! He also got a true talent for finding the best spots for pictures, that he took for us and sent to us right after the tour. Amazing! Can highly recommend.”

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5.Afternoon Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 83 reviews · 4 hours · from $106

Spend four hours exploring Arashiyama by bicycle and on foot. Your English-speaking guide leads you through the bamboo forest, Tenryuji Temple’s Zen gardens, Togetsu-kyo Bridge, quiet local lanes, and a 20-minute uphill walk to Iwatayama Monkey Park. Bikes, helmets, water, entry fees, and a small group of up to eight are included.

“Yuki is a very accommodating tour leader who provides more than the standard information.”

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6.Hiroshima: Peace Park, Castle, and Mitaki Temple E-Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 11 reviews · 3h 30m · from $70Best value

Join guide Joshua or another English-speaking guide for a 210-minute e-bike tour of Hiroshima. Begin at Peace Park, cycle to Hiroshima Castle, then follow city roads and riverside paths to Mitaki Temple. The relaxed 10-kilometer ride suits confident cyclists aged 10 and older, and you may keep the bike for more exploring afterward.

“Great way to see the main spots around Hiroshima. Loved the temple we went to also. We probably wouldn’t have seen it if not for this bike tour. Great tour guide!”

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