Kyoto Cycling Tour: Explore Hidden Gems & Local Neighborhoods
Slow down and discover a more peaceful side of Kyoto. This relaxing ride takes you along the scenic Kamo River, where locals stroll and nature flows beside you. We'll stop at a quiet temple tucked away from the crowds, giving you a chance to soak in the calm, spiritual atmosphere. It’s the perfect mix of gentle cycling, local charm, and mindful moments.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
at your hotel
- Please meet your guide at your hotel
Bike shop
Bicycles and helmets will be provided.
(Please note that the bicycles do not have baskets.)
Kamo river
cycling along the Kamo river.
Daitokuji Temple
Daitoku-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple complex in Kyoto, known for its serene atmosphere and beautifully designed rock gardens.
Lunch time
in Kyoto offers many delicious options.
Enjoy local favorites like ramen, udon, and tempura.
Kinkakuji
Kinkakuji is one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks.
The temple’s top two floors are covered in gold leaf, reflecting beautifully on the surrounding pond.
shimogamo shrine
one of Kyoto’s oldest Shinto shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Surrounded by a sacred forest, it offers a peaceful atmosphere and traditional spiritual charm.
Bike shop
at your hotel
Ending Point
At your hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Services of an English-speaking local guide
Bicycle & Helmet rental
Personal travel insurance
(please arrange this on your own in advance)
Bus / Train transportation to Bikeshop
( 1000 yen per a person cash only )
Meals and beverages for both guests and guide
( 1500-2000 yen per a person )
Tip for the guide
Admission fees to any attractions or facilities
Tour Important Information
The cycling distance is approximately 10 km, mostly flat with a few gentle hills.
Bike and helmet rental are included in the price. We offer rental cross bikes and mini velos suitable for riders between 160 cm and 185 cm in height. (Please note that the bikes do not have baskets.)
Personal travel insurance is required, so please make sure to arrange your own coverage in advance.
If you have any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, please let us know in advance — we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
In case of heavy rain on the day of the tour, we may change the plan for safety reasons. We will keep you updated via message.
Feel free to message me anytime if you’d like to make a booking or need help with any arrangements. I’d be happy to assist!
The tour date is flexible and can be arranged upon request. Please feel free to send me a message — ideally at least two weeks in advance.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Leo T.
Hello I'm Leo,
I’m a passionate tour guide working all over Japan, dedicated to sharing the country’s beauty, culture, and hidden gems.
Guiding isn’t just my job — it’s my true passion.
My mission is to create unforgettable experiences that let you connect with Japan on a deeper level, beyond the usual tourist spots .
With me, you’ll meet locals and discover the real Japan in ways most visitors never get to see. Whether it’s exploring peaceful temples, tasting authentic regional dishes, or learning about time-honored traditions passed down through generations.
Every tour is thoughtfully crafted to be unique and meaningful, so you’ll carry these memories with you long after your journey ends. Let’s explore Japan together and uncover its true spirit!
Reviews
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Mike T.
“Kobe Highlights & Gourmet Adventure (Scenic Views, Vegan Cafe & Shrine)”
After the phone number embargo was lifted, Leo was in regular contact via WhatsApp and was very patient with us when there was a chance we might be delayed meeting with him, as it turned out, we ended up being 10 minutes early. Leo was ready and waiting for us at the rendezvous point at the entrance to the Port Liner monorail with some preloaded IC cards, which are good for most of Japan's public transport. It's a bit like the Oyster card in London, and you just use it to tap yourself in and out of the gates at the stations. We were soon on our way to the city centre, where we got off and walked a few streets to get to Ikuta Shrine, which is one of Kobe’s oldest Shinto shrines, founded over 1,800 years ago. Leo was very chatty and was constantly feeding us snippets of information along the route. From there, we visited Nankin-machi (Kobe’s Chinatown), which is filled with colourful streets, lots of delicious-looking street food, and shops, offering a lively taste of Chinese culture in Japan and being a Saturday night was very busy. Part of our tour involved a bite to eat at a vegan cafe, and Nicole enjoyed another instalment of Japanese vegan food. From there, it was back on the subway for one stop to get to the Herb Garden cable car station. There is a scenic garden at the top of the mountains of Kobe, offering panoramic city and sea views, and at this time of year, there is a Christmas market. It was an amazing view looking down on Kobe all illuminated up. The queues were long in both directions, but it was worth the wait. On the way back, Leo helped us purchase our own IC Cards so that we could use them in Nagasaki and also when we come back to Japan next year. By the time we had navigated the subway and monorail, it was coming up to 9:00 pm. Leo came back to the cruise terminal with us, where we said our goodbyes and made our way back on board the ship. Leo is a fantastic company and a great guide, and it was like being shown around by a friend.
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Leo T.
Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review . it truly means a lot to me. I’m really glad to hear that you enjoyed exploring Kobe and that the tour felt relaxed and comfortable from start to finish. It was a genuine pleasure spending the evening with you, even on such a busy Saturday. I’m delighted that everything worked out well, from the transport and food to the views at the Herb Garden. Hearing that the experience felt like being shown around by a friend is incredibly kind, and honestly the greatest compliment I could receive. Thank you once again for taking the time to share your experience. I hope you’re settling back in comfortably and looking back on your trip with many fond memories. I look forward to seeing you again next year.
Jessica A.
“Beyond expectations, Knowledgable, Friendly Guide that catered perfectly to our group. ”
Leo exceeded all expectations, going above and beyond to curate the perfect experience our multi-generational group of 7. His friendly communication throughout the entire process made it fun and easy to simply enjoy the wonderful itinerary he had planned for our group of 5 adults and 2 young children. Our tour provided something for everyone in the group, and though we were mainly focused on experiencing the food culture of Osaka, he sprinkled in thoughtful and fun experiences such as folding origami cranes, taking photos for our group, and even giving each of us a special gift to remember our tour by. He was knowledgeable, friendly, communicative, and so much fun! We hope to be able to experience another tour with Leo in the future!
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Leo T.
Hi Jessica Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to write a review! I really enjoyed spending time with you all too. Your message truly made my day thank you again! Hope to see you again someday!
$360/ per group
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