Tour Details

• Tour Fee: From ¥33,000 (The entrance fees for both the participants and the guide will be charged along with the tour fee ¥33,000.)
• Participants: For guests staying at karigane. Maximum 5 people per tour (the tour price remains the same regardless of the number of participants, though additional costs for entrance fees may vary).
• Bicycles: TokyoBike
  26C, tokyobike 2 bikes available. Suitable for person over 150cm.
  bisou, tokyobike. 3 bikes available. Suitable to person over 145cm.
• Meeting Point: karigane at 1:00 PM
• End Time: karigane at 4:00 PM
• Route Length: Approx. 10 km
• Number of Sights/Spots: Typically 3, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, we can visit 2, or if you're in a rush, up to 4.

FAQ

Reservations

How do I make a reservation?

• Please mention your interest in the cycling tour when booking your accommodation. We will provide consultation via email or other messaging apps like WhatsApp regarding the type of tour you'd like.

What is the deadline for booking?

• There is no set booking deadline. We will accommodate as much as possible, but depending on the guide's schedule, there may be times when we are unable to accept your booking. Please understand in advance.

Payment

How do I pay? Can I pay by credit card?

• Payment is due after the tour and before checkout. Credit card payments are accepted.

What happens if it rains?

• In case of rain, you can either cancel (free of charge) or switch to a walking tour of Daitoku-ji.

Does the price change depending on the number of participants?

• The tour price remains the same whether you are alone or with a group of five. However, entrance fees to temples and other miscellaneous costs are not included and may increase depending on the number of participants or the temples visited.

Time

The tour starts at 1:00 pm, but can we start earlier?

• Most temples in Kyoto close around 4:00 pm, and it’s quieter just before closing, which is why our tours are typically scheduled from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Custom times are possible, so please consult with us in advance.

Can I take the cycling tour before check-in or after check-out?

• Unfortunately, the tour is only available on the mid-day of your stay. We are unable to offer the tour on the check-in or check-out days. Additionally, we cannot provide the tour for guests staying just one night.

Route

Can I start and end the tour at a location other than Karigane?

• No, the tour starts and ends at Karigane.

Can I customize the route or change the tour partway through?

• Since this is a private tour, feel free to let us know your preferences. We will do our best to accommodate any changes.

Is it possible to take a cycling tour to distant places like Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, Ohara, or Kibune Shrine?

• Due to the routes not being ideal for cycling, along with increased travel time that shortens the guide's available time, we do not recommend cycling tours to these distant locations.

Children

Can children participate?

• Children who can cycle about 10 kilometers on their own can participate. We do not recommend the tour for children under 10 years old.

Do you have bicycles for children?

• We have one bike suitable for children between 125-145 cm. It is also possible to arrange a rental bike through a service provider at an additional cost. However, since the tour involves cycling for about 10 kilometers, we do not recommend it for children under 10 years old.

Do you have bicycles with child seats?

• We do not have any child seat-equipped bicycles available for free, but we can arrange them through a rental service for an additional cost (approximately ¥3,000 per day).

Other Questions

Do you provide helmets?

• Yes, helmets are available.

Is insurance included in the tour price?

• Insurance is not included in the tour price.

Do you speak Chinese?

• We only provide services in Japanese or English.

What is your level of English?

• To accommodate guests from all over the world, we strive to use simple and clear English expressions.

Is there a recommended season for the cycling tour?

• The best seasons are late March, April, May, October, November, and early December. Personally, cycling in June and September is also recommended, but it may rain, so it's better to have some flexibility. Summer (July-August) is very hot, and winter (late December to early March) is very cold, so these seasons are not recommended.

What kind of clothes should I wear?

• Casual clothing suitable for the season is fine.  While we visit shrines and temples, formal attire is not required. Since you may be often asked to remove your shoes when visiting temples, we recommend wearing ones that are easy to put on and take off. In winter, please bring gloves and thick socks.

Kyoto Heritage Tours

1. • Golden Temple & Shimo's Favorite (Upper West)
     Visit the cultural heart of medieval Japan! Explore the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple), Ryoan-ji (Rock Garden), and Shimo’s secret favorite temple.
     Duration: 3-4 hours (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
     Cost: ¥33,000 per group + entrance fees (ex. around 6000yen for a group of three)

   • Silver Temple & Shimo's Favorite (Upper East)
     Ride along the Kamo River, one of the best cycling routes in Kyoto, and visit the Silver Temple (Ginkaku-ji), Nanzen-ji, and Shimo’s secret spot.
     Duration: 3-4 hours (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
     Cost: ¥33,000 per group + entrance fees (ex. around 6000yen for a group of three)

   • Exploring Three Traditional Garden Styles
     Join us as we explore three distinct garden styles: Karesansui (dry stone) gardens, Chisankaiyu (pond-viewing) gardens, and Tea gardens. We'll visit various shrines and temples to experience the beauty and tranquility of each style firsthand.
     Duration: 6 hours (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with a 1-2 hour lunch break)
     Duration: 3-4 hours (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
     Cost: ¥33,000 per group + entrance fees (ex. around 6000yen for a group of three)

Themed Tours

• • Discover Wabi-Sabi
    Explore the unique Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi, the beauty found in imperfection. Visit spots that perfectly embody this philosophy.
    Duration: 3-4 hours (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
    Cost: ¥33,000 per group + entrance fees (ex. around 9000yen for a group of three)

  • Kyoto’s Food Ingredients Tour
    Discover traditional Japanese ingredients like miso, soy sauce, vinegar, and dashi. Visit the best local shops and learn how to use these ingredients!
    Duration: 3-4 hours (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
    Cost: ¥33,000 per group + shopping costs.

  • Antiques & Housewares Shopping Tour
    Kyoto is a treasure trove for antique lovers. Shimo will guide you to the best shops based on what you’re looking for.
    Duration: 3-4 hours (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
    Cost: ¥33,000 per group + shopping costs.