The ❛new normal❜ for tourism in Kyoto

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07Jan2021

The ❛new normal❜ for tourism in Kyoto

Content Partner

The 'My second hometown' project, through the free magazine Enjoy Kyoto and its affiliated website, is aimed at showing foreign visitors the deeper charms of this amazing city.

Content Partner

The 'My second hometown' project, through the free magazine Enjoy Kyoto and its affiliated website, is aimed at showing foreign visitors the deeper charms of this amazing city.

A Guide to Cycling Around Kyoto

Tour on two wheels to keep your distance

In this day and age, bicycles are a very reasonable option to tour a city and not worry about the crowds on public transportation and the bustle of the streets. Cycling also gives you the freedom to explore the suburbs. In Kyoto there are many bicycle rental shops with a variety of options depending on your agenda: mountain bikes and electric bikes for longer distances, or city bikes and Mini Velo bikes to have a closer look in the city.

Kyoto has been a bike-friendly city for a long time now. With narrow alleys that no taxis or buses can enter, and full of lesser-known streets that don’t make it into travel guides, the city is also the perfect place to go on a personal cycling journey. So why the wait? Hop on a pair of wheels and enjoy the “New Normal” route to tour around the city of Kyoto.

Recommended Cycling Routes

1. Saga–Arashiyama Route (approx. 5 hours)

Depart Arashiyama’s Togetsukyo bridge to explore the Sagano area’s rich history and beautiful nature.

From Arashiyama, famous for its wooden Togetsukyo bridge and bamboo groves, climb up an easy slope to the north, past small teahouses and souvenir shops, and dive deep into Okusaga’s vibrant nature, history and literary culture.

【Route】Railwayman Bicycle Rental at the Saga Torokko Station – Saga Toriimoto Preservation Museum – Otagi Nenbutsuji – Ayuchaya Hiranoya – Daikakuji – Saga Tofu Morika – Momi Cafe – Rakushisha

2. Katsura–Oharano Route (approx. 6 hours)

A scenic cycling route along the Nishiyama Mountain Ranges on either side of the Katsura River.

A perfect southward route along the Katsura River from Arashiyama, with historical shrines and temples. Stop to refuel your belly with Italian cuisine and wagashi sweets, and finally, take a dip in a relaxing onsen bath.

【Route】Railwayman Bicycle Rental at the Saga Torokko Station – Katsura River / Kizu River Cycling Road – Umenomiya Taisha – Matsuno’o Taisha – Trattoria Casareccio – Shōraku – Kegonji (“Bell Cricket Temple”) – Jojuji – Fufunoyu

3. Kamigamo–Kitayama–Daitokuji Route (approx. 5 hours)

A leisurely "stroll on two wheels" through areas where traditional townscapes of Kyoto still remain.

Explore the World Heritage Site Kamigamo Shrine and its precincts with rows of Shaké (families that serve a Shinto shrine for generations) houses, then cycle around Nishijin, a district famous for its traditionally woven textiles. This is a route where you can experience the city as a living, breathing treasure trove of history and culture. The Chinese diner and the retro public bath are both local favorites.

【Route】Kyoto Rent-A-Cyclce RupoRupo at Subway Kitayama Station – Kamigamo Shrine – Aoiya Yakimochi Sōhonpo – The rows of Shaké houses – Imamiya Shrine – Kyoto Oharibako – Chūka no Sakai Honten – Funaoka Onsen

4. Kyoto Station Area (approx. 6 hours)

A short-distance ride taking in the city center’s temples and cafes.

Starting at Kyoto Station, this route is an easy short-distance trip to enjoy a chic café, the scenic townscape along the river, the famous Sanjūsangendō temple, some matcha sweets, and a Zen meditation experience at a temple.

【Route】Kyoto Cycling Tour Project’s Kyoto Station Cycle Terminal – Kaikado Cafe – along Takase River and Gojo Ohashi bridge – Sanjusangendo – Shimizu Ippoen Kyoto Honten – Shorin-ji Temple– Tofuku-ji Temple

For more information about cycling around Kyoto go to:

https://ja.kyoto.travel/bicycle/ (Japanese)