If you are in moderate good health and would like the freedom to explore Kyoto at your own pace and schedule, then renting a bicycle is an excellent option. The city streets are laid out on a grid pattern, so it is easy to find your way around. Also, although there is a slight incline as you cycle north, the going is fairly flat and smooth within the city itself, so you won’t find cycling in Kyoto too hard or strenuous.
Kyoto Cycling Tour Project
Kyoto Cycling Tour Project’s head office
There are a large number of bicycle rental businesses dotted throughout Kyoto city, but for its comprehensive service and convenience Kyoto Cycling Tour Project (KCTP) is easily the best. There are a number of reasons why this is the case, but the key points are as follows.
- KCTP has two cycle terminals near Kyoto Station: Kyoto Station Cycle Terminal, about five minutes or roughly 300 meters from the Central Exit on the north side, and Kyoto Station Hachijo Gate Cycle Terminal, about five minutes or roughly 300 meters from the Hachijo Gate exits on the south side.
- KCTP has highly professional, multi-lingual staff to help you with your enquiries.
- KCTP has a large variety of bicycles to choose from, to suit your level of interest. City bicycles cost from 1,200 to 1,700 yen per day, electric-assist bicycles from 2,000 to 3,000 yen per day, mini velos from 1,400 to 1,500 yen per day, and children’s mountain bikes from 1,000 yen per day. Fees are charged per rental day between 9:00 and 18:00, not per 24 hours.
- KCTP are family friendly. They have children’s bicycles and electric-assist bicycles fitted with child seats for children aged 1 to 5. Helmets are available, children aged 12 and under must wear one, and rental fees include liability insurance and emergency support.
- KCTP has branches at multiple locations throughout the city. Most bicycles can be returned to a different KCTP terminal for an additional 600 yen, though some types, including electric-assist bicycles, must be returned to the original terminal.
Studying KCTP’s tourist map for cyclists
KCTP provides useful information for safe and trouble-free cycling in Kyoto, including guidance on bicycle parking and local cycling rules. Before setting out, it is also worth checking the Kyoto City Cycle Site and its parking information, as some central areas have time-based cycling restrictions and bicycles should only be left in proper parking areas.
In addition KCTP also have a range of cycle tours on offer with English speaking tour guides. These are private tours, and groups are kept small with up to six people per guide. Check out the KCTP website for full details.
KCTP’s Kyoto Station Cycle Terminal is a five minute walk from Kyoto Station. To find it, exit the station’s north gate and turn left. Walk straight past the Post Office on your right and BIC Camera on your left. After you have passed the APA Hotel, you will come to the end of the road. Here you turn right and KCTP is ahead of you. KCTP also has a Kyoto Station Hachijo Gate Cycle Terminal on the south side of the station, which is convenient for Shinkansen and express bus users. Other terminals are located at Fushimi, Nijo Station, Shijo Horikawa, Gojo Horikawa, Hotel Emion Kyoto and Karasuma Gojo. Check the KCTP access page for maps and directions.
Kyoto Cycling Tour Project
Open: 9:00-18:00
E-mail: Use the contact form on their website.
Tel: 075-354-3636
Kyoto Station Cycle Terminal Address: 552-13 Higashi-Aburanokoji-cho, Aburanokoji-dori, Shiokoji sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8235
Other Bicycle Rental Recommendations
Though KCTP offer the best overall service, depending on where you are based in the city, you may find another cycle rental company suits you better. You may also prefer to choose a cheaper rental service, or perhaps you would prefer an easier ride with an electric bicycle. Here are two other reputable bicycle rental companies you can find in Kyoto.
J-Cycle on Higashinotoin Street
J-Cycle are located south of Shijo Street and east of Karasuma Street, and so are convenient for the center of town. You can rent a standard bicycle without gears for 800 yen a day, a standard bicycle with gears for 950 yen a day, or an electric-assist bicycle for 1,500 yen a day. Child seats and bicycle navigation devices are also available as paid options. Bicycles must be returned by 18:30.
Open: 10:00-19:00
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 075-341-3196
Address: Higashinotoin, Takatsuji sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8401
Kyo no Raku Chari has shops at Higashiyama Sanjo, Kyoto Station Nanajo, and Kitano Tenmangu Gokaku, plus delivery and collection by reservation. The Higashiyama Sanjo shop is close to Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Line, and is convenient for the scenic Higashiyama area and the Okazaki museum area. General one-day rates at the Higashiyama Sanjo and Kitano shops are 2,400 yen for an electric-assist bicycle, 1,800 yen for students using an electric-assist bicycle, and 1,400 yen for a conventional bicycle with three or more gears. The Kyoto Station Nanajo shop has separate one-day rates of 2,200 yen for an electric-assist bicycle and 1,100 yen for a conventional bicycle.
Open: 9:00-18:00
E-mail: Use the contact form on their website.
Tel: 080-7973-3196 (Higashiyama Sanjo), 080-7975-1319 (Kyoto Station Nanajo), 0120-318-319 (Free dial in Japan)
Higashiyama Sanjo Address: 538-3 Minamimonzen-cho, ABC Building 1F, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8346
Kyoto Station Nanajo Address: 124-3-2 Shin-Hiyoshicho, Room Omori 1F, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8141
Article and photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 20-Jun-2026.
