My Honest Guide to Cycling in Kyoto
When I went to Kyoto, I didn’t do any research at all
This post sums up all the lessons I learnt the hard way
Exploring the ancient capital on two wheels — what could be more delightful
To be fair, Japan’s cycling rules are extremely strict
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Before You Go
Hotel – If you want to enjoy cycling along the Kamo River at sunrise and sunset, or through Gion at night, make sure your hotel has bicycle parking.
Rent for at least two days — most rental shops open late and close early.
Navigation – Don’t use Google! This was honestly my biggest frustration. Google Maps only plans walking routes, so you’ll need to avoid no-cycling zones yourself — and it even sent me the wrong way a few times.
I later found out that Apple Maps actually offers cycling routes.
Rental Shop – Just pick one near your hotel; they’re all more or less the same.
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Once You’re There
Bring your passport and credit card — the rental shop will need them.
Type of bike – I cycle regularly and do a bit of light fitness, so, rather foolishly confident, I went for a normal bike. By the end of the day, I was exhausted.
Unless you’re fairly sporty, I’d recommend going for an electric-assist bike instead.
Parking – Designated parking spots are not only limited but also pricey.
If I’d followed the rules strictly, the combined walking and parking costs would’ve been higher than just taking taxis.
If you’re only popping into a small shop for, say, 15 minutes, roadside parking is usually fine.（based on my personal experience）
At major tourist spots, don’t worry — most have dedicated free parking areas.
⚠️ Kyoto bans using earphones or phone while cycling. 🎧📱❌️
I get it… but also don’t. Listening to music while riding is one of life’s great pleasures. And for visitors, voice navigation would be so handy.
There’s no way to hide earphones with short hair, but if you’ve got longer hair, AirPods might go unnoticed. I even saw some locals confidently wearing big headphones
MagSafe bike mount – If you happen to own one, it’s definitely worth bringing along.
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Please always follow local traffic regulations
Wishing you a happy ride
Ciao