Private Tour
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Discover the true essence of Arashiyama with our exclusive bike tour, offering early access and a journey beyond what most visitors see. Explore Kyoto’s most naturally beautiful area, known for its blend of cultural and natural wonders, including charming rice fields, photogenic landscapes, and scenic country backstreets far removed from the city’s bustle. Ride along Kyoto’s most breathtaking roads and uncover the hidden gems of Arashiyama beyond the iconic Bamboo Forest . As the only Arashiyama-based bike tour, we’re excited to share the unmatched beauty and depth of this captivating region with you.
*AGE REQUIREMENT: Children must be at least 10 years old to participate. Please book our "Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Family Bike Tour (Infants & Toddlers)" for families with children under 10 years of age.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please provide heights of all guests at time of booking
All guests will be required to sign a liability release waiver prior to the tour
*AGE REQUIREMENT: Children must be at least 10 years old to participate. Please book our "Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Family Bike Tour (Infants & Toddlers)" for families with children under 10 years of age.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Native English speaking bilingual guide
Bottled water
Bicycle
Helmet
Gratuity for your guide (always appreciated!)
Hotel pick up or drop off
E-bike (We use standard Cannondale city bikes)
What To Expect
Bamboo Forest Street
Explore the beauty of the bamboo and be transfixed by the one of the top soundscapes of Japan. This is one of the top visited places in Kyoto and provides a perfect backdrop for a memorable photo.
Tenryu-ji Temple Sogenchi Teien
Stroll through one of the most beautiful Japanese Zen gardens in Kyoto at the World Heritage Tenryuji Temple.
Options
Early Bird Tour
Lets get an early start and go explore the beauty of the bamboo, temples and the best our scenic Arashiyama has to offer without all the people!
Reviews
575 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun ride through Kyoto
seancF9895XW,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super fun experience with Milo. He was probably the best guide on or trip in Japan so far, as he was very knowledgeable about all of the locations we stopped at. Despite visiting some famous spots, my favorite part was probably just cruising through the quieter residential areas and rice paddies. It’s an early start, but well worth it to get ahead of the crowds that have absolutely overtaken Kyoto.
Wonderful morning ride
tracymY8104NW,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Milo hosted a lovely bike ride morning. We rode to hidden gems and Milo filled in many educational, cultural details. It really enriched our visit to the Arashiyama area. My family and I agree it was well worth the early rise.
Fun morning to explore the bamboo forest and beyond
B5103MNmaryk,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed our morning bike tour with Peter. He was very knowledgeable and we loved seeing places a bit off the beaten track which we wouldn't have found ourselves. It was a nice touch that Peter took photos during the tour and shared them with the group afterwards. All in all a very enjoyable morning which I would highly recommend.
Beautiful, well worth the try
X158NTmichaelh,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour started off at the perfect time in the morning. We were able to beat most of the crowds places. The roads are really smooth and there were not to many hills. Ray our tour guide was amazing. Very friendly and has a ton of knowledge of the area.
Could do this every day
Excursion48564772216,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highlight of our trip, saw so much of Kyoto that I never would have found on my own. Ray was great. Beat all the crowds and saw everything we wanted to. Only complaint is that it eventually had to end!
Amazing half day trip!
darkangel387,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing half day trip! Ray was extremely knowledgeable and took us to wonderful places. I appreciate the early start so we got to see them before the rush of people. Highly recommend! The bikes were not electric, but the roads were pretty level for most of it and easy for someone who doesn't bike a lot.
Great fun! Do it!
elainemgriffin,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous bike tour! Highly recommend. We loved it! Ray was a wonderful guide with great insights into Japanese culture.
A highlight of our trip
M92KMpeterg,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow, what a brilliant tour, great guide, and fabulous places that we visited. One of the highlights of our whole trip to Japan. Do it!
fun Cycle tour
J9275QWkathyn,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Loved our bike tour with Ray. Great way to see the bamboo forest, as well as the countryside. Wonderful info on the Shinto shrine, explained the origins of the language & the money better than anyone. Fun insight into life as a outsider/Japanese native young family too.
We enjoyed every minute!...
Precious W,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We enjoyed every minute! The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience so much fun. I hadn’t ridden a bike in quite some time and was a little nervous, but they immediately put me at ease. Highly recommend!
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Operated by Kyoto Bike Tour