Enjoy Tokyo 10 times more by Cycling
Are you having a fun with sightseeing in Tokyo? It’s obvious for those who have visited Tokyo that it’s one of the top developed cities in the world with impressive train networks. That’s why people are likely to think that using Japan Railway and subways is good enough for transportation, but I would like you to enjoy Tokyo by cycling.
Even for local people, Tokyo is the city that we can enjoy more deeply with cycling. By riding a bike through local towns, we can see and pass by many different-flavored streets and sightseeing spots which is one of the best things to do in Tokyo. There are also many attractive cityscapes far from the stations where the Japanese residents live. Moreover, we can find not only wonderful hidden sightseeing places but also find the best photo shooting spots that we cannot reach without a bike. Even though using trains is very convenient, it limits the amount of activities you can do around the area.
In addition, Japanese driving manners are very good. They observe traffic rules strictly and drive safely so the possibility of car accidents with cyclists are very low. Japanese roads are also beautifully paved so there are not many troubles for cyclists. Moreover, because Japanese local people don’t ride bikes so much, we can enjoy cycling comfortably without much traffic.
It’s also a fact that there are not many biking lanes in Tokyo, so the safest way to cycle around is with a guide. Cycling through Tokyo streets with a tour guide would be the best choice to enjoy the best of Tokyo.
How do we choose a reasonable cycling tour with good quality?
Also how should we book a good cycling tour in Tokyo?
First of all the quality of the bike is important. Some tours provide folding bikes or mini velo but those bikes are not suitable for long cycling. If your bike is not good then you will have to endure the pain in your butt while enjoying the cityscape. If you expect an enjoyable and comfortable cycling experiences then you should take care of bike’s quality and choose wisely. City or hybrid bikes would be the best if your cycling in Tokyo.
The next thing to make sure you have is insurance. Even though there are a few possibilities of accidents with bikes, if the tour company doesn’t provide a tour with insurance or recommend participants to buy insurance then their service level would be low due to carelessness.
The last thing is booking. Prior booking online is most desirable for security and transparency of the tour, but unfortunately there aren’t many online sites that you can book a cycling tour in Tokyo. Some of the popular tours introduced below also requires the payments to be in cash.
Based on the information stated above, I would like to introduce 3 cycling tour in Tokyo, which provide great bikes, friendly and thoughtful service, and attractive tours.
Of course all tour companies are managed by local Japanese people and have achieved good reviews on GoogleMap and TripAdvisor.
１：Tokyo Great Cycling Tour
Source： Tokyo Great Cycling Tour
(Their characteristics)
One of the oldest cycling tour companies in Tokyo. What they have achieved is wonderful. There is no big accident since they started their tours in 2006 and that fact alone proves their high priority given towards customers. Providing many kinds of different tours is another characteristic which makes it hard to choose if your planning to travel to Tokyo and all their tours are of good quality. They also have bike seats for children which could be attached on a bike, so this tour is suitable for family as well. They can be considered as the standard for offering enjoyable tours for men and women of all ages due to their experience.
(Price)
Around 10,000 yen
(Suitable Group)
All types of groups
(A kind of bike)
Hybrid Bike
(Starting points)
5 mins from Kayaba Sta. (Nihon Bashi area)
(Number of Possible Participants)
from 2 to 15 people
(Service Included)
Bike, Guide, Helmet, Insurance, Lunch, Water
Lunch is usually a bento box and they have lunch at outside
Need to tell in advance if you have any food preferences
(Tour Variation)
9 tours. Route of bay area in Tokyo or main sightseeing spots in Tokyo
(Time)
4 – 6 Hours
(Reservation)
Reserve through website below.
(Payment)
Paying cash on tour day
２：OFF STREET CYCLING TOKYO
Source： Off-Street Cycling Tour
(Their characteristics)
This tour company is managed by young Japanese guys who traveled around the world, and they offer this up-and-coming tour. They are also knowledgeable about local spots, historical buildings, the current trends in Tokyo, and they introduce both the new and the old side of Tokyo during their tours.
The guides have skills in photo shooting, and after the tour they give photos and movie data shot by their Go Pro and other cameras used during the tour for their customers.
Their service is very thoughtful for those who like to share memories on their social media accounts.
Because they focus on communication with participants during the tour, they hold small group tours. Therefore this tour is suitable for a small group or a couple. They also rent out hybrid bikes.
(Price)
Around 8,000 Yen
(Suitable Group)
friends or a couple
(A kind of bike)
Hybrid Bike
(Starting points)
5 mins from Asakusabashi Sta. (Asakusa area)
(Number of Possible Participants)
from 1 to 6 people
(Service Included)
Bike, Guide, Helmet, Insurance, Lunch, Water
Lunch is soba at a local restaurant where many local people visit.
Need to tell in advance if there are any food preferences
(Tour Variation)
There are 2 tours. One route is cycling through a good old Tokyo town where we can see Japanese local neighborhoods and another route is for visiting many historical areas and buildings in Tokyo.
(Time)
4 – 6 Hours
(Reservation)
Click “Book Now” button or call from the website below
(Payment)
Prior payment by Credit card, Paypal, Alipay, union pay
If cancellation happens, it would be returned
３：TOKYO Miracle Cycling Tour
Source： Tokyo Miracle Cycling Tour
(Their characteristics)
This cycling tour company is founded by the person who used to work as a rickshaw guide in Asakusa. One of their characteristics is providing a service with “omotenashi” spirit to customers, and they often change the route based on the customer’s preference. Another one is offering night cycling tours for looking around night views in Tokyo. They probably hold the biggest cycling tour in Tokyo, which tend to have 30 people at most. It’s recommended for those who enjoy relief with large tour groups. Besides having bikes only for children they also have tandem bike, so it’s good for families.
(Price)
Around 10,000 Yen
(Suitable Group)
Everyone, especially for large groups
(A kind of bike)
Hybrid Bike
(Starting points)
8 mins from Shimbashi Sta. (Shimbashi area)
(Number of Possible Participants)
from 1 to 30 people
(Service Included)
Bike, Guide, Helmet, Insurance, Lunch, Water
Lunch would be bento or restaurant depending tour plan
Need to tell in advance if there are any food preferences
(Tour Variation)
7 kinds of tours such as bayside tour, old town tour, night tour, and etc…
(Time)
1.5 – 6 Hours
(Reservation)
Booking online, emailing, or calling from website below
http://www.tokyobiketrip.com/
(Payment)
Paying by credit card or cash on tour day
You can really enjoy cycling tour in Tokyo to the fullest if you choose from 3 tours above.
Please also refer to the comparison table shown below.
Have a nice cycling trip in Tokyo!
| Tokyo Great Cycling Tour | Off-Street Cycling Tokyo | Tokyo Miracle Cycling Tour | |
| Main Price | 10,000 JPY | 8,000 JPY | 10,000 JPY |
| A kind of Bike | Hybrid Bike | Hybrid Bike | Hybrid Bike |
| Tour Length | 4 – 6 Hours | 4 – 6 Hours | 1.5 – 6 Hours |
| Suitable Group | All Ages | Friend and a Couple | Large Groups |
| Tour Variation | 9 Tours | 2 Tours | 7 Tours |