Imagine exploring Tokyo on a bicycle, weaving through neighborhoods and discovering hidden gems. Bike tours offer a unique and immersive way to experience the city’s rich culture, history, and stunning scenery from the different aspects that you couldn’t reach on your own. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right tour for you?
To help you find the perfect bike tour, consider these 9 essential tips:
- Assess the guide’s qualifications and experience.
- Choose between a private or group tour.
- Decide if you prefer standard bikes or e-bikes.
- Prioritize safety measures.
- See the routes.
- Research the tour operator’s responsiveness.
- Check the booking policies and cancellation fees.
- Inquire about insurance coverage.
- Compare prices and value.
By carefully considering these factors, you’ll be well-equipped to select a bike tour that goes with your preferences and makes your Tokyo adventure unforgettable.
Tokyo Bike Bliss is the only tour operator focusing on a private e-bike tour starting at your hotel. Let’s ask the availability.
Why Bike Tour in Tokyo?
The best way to see ‘real Tokyo’ is join a bike tour. You will expect:
- To see many tourist spots most efficiently.
- To cycle through lots of off-the-beaten backstreets.
- To enjoy the breeze on a bike.
- To learn more about Tokyo that you couldn’t do on your own.
Learn more about why bike tours are necessary.
9 Tips to Choose the Best Bike Tour for You in Tokyo
There are lots of bike tours in Tokyo. Each tour has different strengths so how can you choose the best tour for you? Here are tips that you could consider before you click, ‘Book now’.
Find the Best Guide for You
Your guide is everything. I am not exaggerating to say that way.
But how can you know your guide before you join a bike tour? One of the ways to meet your best guide is to analyze the reviews.
Check the guide whether:
- They are knowledgeable / informative.
- They are communicative / friendly / accommodating.
- They speak English (or your preferred language) fluently.
- More importantly, how many guides are registered in one company?
Look at the names of the guides in the reviews. If there are several names described from the multiple reviews, it means the guide is not only one. Look at the following review.
We had a fabulous experience with Kazuma. He speaks terrific English and is super knowledgeable and friendly. The electric bikes are a great way to see the city. Very easy to ride. We appreciate how Kazuma emphasized safety. Tokyo is a lovely city, and it’s even more fun to see the city in a relaxed way on an electric bike. We HIGHLY recommend the experience.
What if Kazuma is not your guide on your day?
See whether there is only one guide or more.
Private?
Private tours are ideal. Your pace is the tour pace. If this is your family trip, then private tours are a much more important factor.
Your kids may not be able to keep up with the pace.
You might want to see a certain spot for a longer time.
You may want to take a break over coffee.
You don’t have to be worried about other group members in such cases.
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?
E-bikes will help you a lot.
Enjoy sightseeing effortlessly.
If you feel tired out, everything will be spoiled.
Even if you are very fit, how about your partner?
Tokyo has lots of hilly areas especially in Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Roppongi. Your partner may say bike tours should not be training on the hill.
In one case, you are fit, and your partner doesn’t get exercise daily. In this case, e-bikes will help your partner to keep up with the pace.
On the other hand, if you choose a tour with standard bikes, it will be a fitness-oriented activity. You will feel work-out after the tour.
Discuss which type of the bikes are better with your group members.
See more about why you need e-bikes for cycling tours in Tokyo.
E-bikes will help to minimize the difference of the bike skill.
Safety
Safety should be a top priority when choosing a bike tour operator. Accidents can happen, so it’s important to select a company that takes all necessary precautions to ensure your safety.
Here are some safety measures to look for:
- Helmets: The operator should provide helmets for all participants. Please note that wearing helmets is not mandatory in Japan.
- Safety instructions: Before the tour starts, the guide should provide clear instructions on traffic rules and customs, hand signals, and safe riding practices.
- Group size: Smaller group sizes can provide more personalized attention and improve safety, especially in Tokyo, where the road traffic is always congested.
- Two Guides: Ideally, one guide leads the group and the other takes care of the last.
- Emergency procedures: The operator should have a clear emergency plan in place, including procedures for accidents or medical emergencies.
By choosing an operator that prioritizes safety, you can enjoy your bike tour with peace of mind. Again, you can learn such factors from the reviews and photos.
Wearing helmets is not mandatory but recommended.
Routes
The biggest difference between bike tour routes is the theme. Some tours focus on visiting popular tourist attractions, while others prioritize exploring backstreets and experiencing local life. Decide which approach aligns best with your preferences.
tourist spots
or
backstreets and local life?
Also, here are some other key factors to consider:
- Difficulty: Some routes may include hills or challenging terrain, while others are more suitable for beginners. (If e-bikes are available, this doesn’t mean anything.)
- Duration: Most of the tours last 3-4 hours as a half-day activity or 6 hours as one-day activity.
- Food: Some tours may include food experience of Japanese sweets or ramen. See whether the food experiences are included in the tour price or are additional costs.
- Walking: You might have a chance to add walk-in experiences to go to certain spots such as Japanese houses, Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Nakamise Street, or your preferred shops. You can also make requests on a private tour.
- Seasonality: Some routes may offer unique experiences during specific seasons, such as cherry blossoms in spring, night ride in summer, or autumn foliage.
- Group size: Smaller groups may allow for more flexibility in customizing the route.
- Local insights: Ask your tour operator or guide for recommendations based on their knowledge of the area.
By carefully considering these factors, you can select a route that provides a fulfilling and enjoyable bike tour experience.
Responsive and Active?
Check when the last review was posted. Some operators stop working during Covid-19.
Send your inquiries from their official website. See the speed of the response and quality of English.
Consider whether the operator offers convenient communication channels like WhatsApp or texting. It will be safer when you cannot find a guide on the event day.
Frequency of the reviews is a key.
Tour Booking Timing and Cancellation
What if you rescheduled your itinerary after booking a tour? Can you cancel the tour? Until when?
What if it is rainy or stormy on the day? Are they flexible?
Check their cancellation policy before you book a tour.
Also what if you wanted to have a bike tour today?
Some tour operators may possibly accept your booking on the day of the tour even if the tour is officially closed. Let’s try to contact them directly, then they will have a spot for you.
Contact the operator directly.
Insurance
What if you got injured on the tour? In such a case, do they help you and communicate in English? Check their terms and conditions or privacy policy as much as possible.
It’s hard to know everything beforehand, but if you could communicate before booking, you will know them.
Price
Lastly and most importantly, prices should be reasonable. Bike tours in Tokyo are about 8,000 – 13,000 yen (USD60 – USD120), and if they are private or e-bikes, the price will be double to triple.
Some tour operators offer a group price or a discount for kids or seniors.
Usually tours are arranged for 2 persons or more, so if you are single, you will have to pay for 2 persons.
Summary
Ready for an unforgettable bike tour adventure in Tokyo with 9 tips?
Tokyo Bike Bliss is the one-and-only e-bike tour operator that starts tours directly at your hotel, providing a personalized and convenient experience. With over 50 five-star reviews in just 6 months, we have a proven track record of delivering exceptional tours.
Explore Tokyo’s iconic skyscrapers and hidden backstreets that you couldn’t reach on your own on two wheels. Book your tour today and create lasting memories.
