Tired of the usual tourist crowds?
Want to experience ‘real Tokyo’ in a whole new way?
Bike tours are a great choice for you! Actually it is even the best, most efficient way to see this busy city.
Enjoy the breeze, see modern skyscrapers, cycle through backstreets, find hidden gems in intriguing neighborhoods, and communicate with local people. Everything will be achieved in a short time!
Why Cycling in Tokyo?
Enjoy the Breeze on a Bike
How wonderful it is to feel the wind in your hair as you pedal.
Imagine it will happen in this vibrant city of Tokyo.
Cycling offers a unique and immersive way to experience the city’s energy and excitement.
From the bustling neighborhoods of Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Roppongi to Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa and beyond, you’ll discover a side of Tokyo that you couldn’t find without bikes.
Discover Off-the-beaten Amazing Spots in Tokyo
Experience the real Tokyo by bike!
When you cycle from one spot to another, you’ll happen to find hidden gems, which would be a great treasure only for you that the other tourists miss.
Such a benefit as a unique perspective of Tokyo through a bike tour is described well in the following review.
We went off the beaten tourist route and experienced the real Tokyo. Very easy to get around and exercise while you do it. The bikes are extremely easy to use and being battery powered made light work of any hills.
Escape from the Traffic Jams
Good bye to traffic jams! Leave the tourist crowds behind!
Bicycles allow you to explore Tokyo in the most efficient way; you could zip through lots of congested streets in Tokyo on a bike.
You could even visit areas that are difficult to reach by foot or public transportation.
Escape from the jams and discover hidden gems!
Tokyo is Dense
Tokyo is a compact and dense city.
Imagine you are at Tokyo Station, which is in the center of the city. Visit a tourist spot from the station, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Asakusa.
Amazingly, (almost) all of the tourist spots are in the radius of 5km+ (or 3 miles+) from the station! One survey shows that the average speed of cars in Tokyo is 16 km/h (or 10 mi/h), which is as slow as bicycles.
You must find car parking lots, which is very difficult in Tokyo.
Why not cycle in Tokyo then?
Why are Guides Necessary?
Is Cycling in Tokyo Safe?-No.
Unfortunately the answer is No, so you need a guide to avoid the traffic.
Safety is most important. Therefore, bike tour guides who know road regulations properly are essential for your fun rides.
All of the vehicles including cyclists are required to keep left while many other countries take the opposite rule.
There are few bike lanes in Tokyo, so you need to share the roads with car drivers.
On the sidewalks, you can go in any direction, which would look chaotic.
What if it were not for a guide?
Local Guides will Escort You
Bike tour guides will navigate you in the most efficient way.
Certainly, Tokyo is a compact and dense city but the streets are disorganized. Even if most spots are in the 5km (3mi) range, you might get lost on the way.
Visit as many spots as possible in your short stay; guides will show you the best route when you participate in a bike tour.
Connecting a Spot to Another in an unexpected way
Bike tours can connect multiple destinations in a fun way for you!
Let’s say visiting Ueno Park and Asakusa, two popular tourist spots in Tokyo. While taking the subway between these locations might be convenient, it can also be mundane.
With a bike tour, you’ll discover hidden gems that most tourists miss.
Your guide will lead you through charming backstreets, revealing local neighborhoods that offer a glimpse into everyday life.
As you pedal along, you’ll not only enjoy the journey itself but also learn about the area’s history and culture.
Compare Bike Tours with Others
Walking Tours
Walking tours are ideal for travelers who want to explore a city at a leisurely pace, but they may be too slow.
When you have a round trip of the Imperial Palace, it will take half a day, while it will take one hour for bike tours.
Your time in Tokyo is precious. Why not go a little faster?
Bus Tours
Bus tours offer a relaxing way to see multiple attractions in a short amount of time.
However, bus tours can be quite structured and inflexible to explore destinations at your own pace.
You couldn’t get much information unless you take a seat just next to a guide.
Go-Kart Tours
Go-Kart is a unique way to see this bustling city.
You drive a cart as if you were a racer of that famous Nintendo video game.
This may be the most thrilling way to see Tokyo, but in terms of sightseeing, you may not be able to see the landscape.
Please don’t see the landscapes while driving; Just concentrate on driving for everyone’s safety.
It’s a very different entertainment.
Private Limousine Tours
All you have to do is just get relaxed at the back seat of a luxurious limo and follow the driver’s selection.
Of course they are flexible in itineraries, and get access to exclusive destinations.
However, limousine tours can be significantly more expensive than other transportation options.
Moreover, you will not feel the air as in bike tours.
E-Scooter Tours
There is a new way to see the city of Tokyo, which is an E-Scooter tour.
E-scooters easily go through the traffic and stop at many places as bicycles.
If you’re looking to do something different while in Tokyo, this is it.
However, it’s a very new mode of transportation in Tokyo, so even local people are not used to it.
You might feel dangerous on the way.
Criteria to Choose a Bike Tour in Tokyo
There are more or less 10 bike tours in Tokyo. Each has very good strengths. How would you choose the best one for you?
Prices and Duration
Most of the bike tours in Tokyo range JPY8,000 – JPY13,000 for 3-4 hours.
If they offer you a premium service such as private tours, the price would be double or triple.
Longer duration is not always good; you or your partner will be exhausted.
Private?
Private tours are more expensive but you can go at your own pace.
Your group members might not be at your pace or might not have similar preferences.
Let’s say they are interested in Japanese anime that you are not. Private tours can maximize your preference in a short stay in Tokyo.
If your budget can afford it, go for private tours; otherwise, make a wish there are no other members involved in your group.
Tokyo Bike Bliss is the only tour operator focusing on a private e-bike tour starting at your hotel. Let’s ask the availability.
E-bikes
Tokyo has lots of hilly areas in the western side of the city, such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi, or Tokyo Tower.
It will be a tough journey unless you are electrically assisted. See this page about why you need e-bikes for cycling tours in Tokyo.
If you are sporty or young, or if you want to enjoy a nicer pint of beer after the tour, regular bikes will be your option.
See if the bikes are shared rental bikes or not; the shared bikes might not be well maintained.
One Guide in a Bike Tour Company?
Everything depends on your guide. Your tour relies on the guide’ communication skills, friendliness, knowledges, English competency, or everything.
Even if a bike tour operator has a good review about their guides, he/she might not be your guide on the day. Look at the following review.
Kazuma-san, who speaks impeccable English, was not only knowledgeable about Tokyo’s history and culture but also exceptionally attentive to our needs. He frequently checked in with us to make sure the pace was comfortable and the itinerary suited our interests, making on-the-fly adjustments as needed.
What if Kazuma-san is not your guide?
Most of the bike tour operators have reviews. Read several reviews carefully and if there are several names listed, the quality of the guides are like a dice.
If the operator is self-employed, there is only one guide; the reputation from the review is trustworthy.
Tokyo Bike Bliss offers you a 3-hour private e-bike tour. Ask the availability.
Routes
Usually each route is nicely arranged according to the theme.
Each bike tour operator has several routes that feature tourist spots, history, backstreets, etc.
Also, see the highlight of their itinerary; if you visit(ed) the same place on a different day, it may be a waste of time.
When they offer you a private tour, check whether you can customize the route.
‘Private’ doesn’t alway mean ‘customizable’; some operators fix the basic route even if it is private.
Tell the operator your whole itinerary in Tokyo/Japan. He/she will give you a suggestion.
Other
The following are many more other factors that should be considered when you find the best tour for you.
- Cancellations especially on a rainy day
- Instructions for the road regulations
- Helmets
- Insurance
- Starting point and ending point
Go to the following page to see more details for the factors.
Summary
To spend your time in Tokyo, bike tours are a must.
To maximize the merits, private tours are ideal.
Tokyo Bike Bliss offers you a blissful private e-bike tour. It starts at your hotel and can be customizable according to your location and preference.
