As Japan’s capital and largest city, Tokyo has a myriad of attractions on offer— especially in terms of technology, modernity, architecture and art.

Want to experience this incredible city from a local’s perspective? One of the best ways to make the most of your time in Japan’s capital is by participating in a bike tour in Tokyo. You’ll get to see a lot more than you would on foot!

It is estimated that around 14% of all commuters in Tokyo use bicycles to get to and from work. Therefore, the metropolis has plenty of bike paths and designated parking to cater to the millions of cyclists in the city.

Continue reading to find out more about bike tours, one of the most exhilarating outdoor activities in Tokyo.

What are the most popular bike tours in Tokyo?

Tokyo great cycling tour

Meet at the Tokyo Great Tours office and join this small-group bike tour and experience the best of what Tokyo has to offer on two wheels. Pedal through Tokyo’s dazzling city streets with your professional guide leading the way.

From the tour office, you’ll cycle to Tsukiji Jogai Market, a bustling market, before heading to Zojo-ji Temple, which is an old Buddhist temple.

You’ll cycle through the posh Roppongi District and the Aoyama Cemetery before making a stop at Meiji Jingu Shrine.

The last stop of the trip is the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor and Empress live.

Full-day bicycle tour in Tokyo

Get ready for an action-packed day of adventure with this full-day bike tour in Tokyo that spans approximately 18 kilometers. If that sounds like a lot, keep in mind that the distance is covered at a leisurely pace on mostly flat ground.

Once you have met your professional guide, they will explain the local traffic rules in detail to ensure that you remain safe during the trip

Some of the tour highlights include the Ginza shopping district, Hibiya Park, Kabukiza Theater, Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Tsukiji Jogai Market, Kachidoki Bridge and many others.

On this tour, you’ll gain major insight into the city’s main attractions.

Local e-bike tour in Tokyo

Pedaling not your strong suit? Well, with an e-bike there is no need to worry. Simply let the electronic bicycle do the work for you should you get tired as you make your way to some of Japan’s top-rated attractions.

You’ll ride through Marunouchi, Tokyo’s famous business district, towards Tokyo Central Railway Station, where you’ll learn a bit more about this iconic landmark.

Other stops include Akihabara, Asakusa, Ryogoku Kokugikan and Nihonbashi Bridge.

Get a feel for Tokyo’s local way of life as your guide provides interesting information about the city’s history, cultures and traditions.

Tokyo downtown bicycle tour

Get off the beaten track and experience the back streets of downtown Tokyo with a professional tour guide leading the way. Explore the city’s hidden highlights that many tourists, and even some locals, tend to miss.

While this tour can be somewhat customized to your liking, some of the most popular attractions seen on this private tour include Chōmeiji Sakuramochi, Imado Shrine, Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden, Kappabashi Street and Yanaka and Ginza Shopping Street.

Gain an orientation of the city as you make your way to various destinations with your guide who is more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

What combo tour options are available?

Make the most of your time in Tokyo by booking a combination tour that combines cycling with another popular activity or aspect of the city.

Tokyo cycling and food tour: build up your appetite as you cycle through iconic suburbs in Tokyo before stopping to enjoy some of Japan’s cuisine most famous delicacies.
Cycling and cruising tour in Tokyo: cycle around Tokyo’s bay area and see all of the famous sights before taking a 25-minute ship cruise around the bay where you’ll get to view the city at night from a different perspective.

What are the average prices of Tokyo bike tours?

The typical cost of a bike tour in Tokyo is somewhere in the region of between US$40 and US$90 per person. Longer tours, with more detailed itineraries, typically cost more than shorter, basic bike tours.

The e-bike tour is US$50 per person and is a more basic tour, lasting just 3 hours. In contrast, the full-day bike tour and the great cycling tour are both longer tours at the higher end of the spectrum— each costing roughly US$90 per person.

There is also a free cycling tour of the city available in which you are encouraged to tip your tour guide at the end of the tour an amount that you feel the tour was worth.

What do Tokyo bike tours include?

Professional tour guide
Bicycle and helmet
Admission tickets to places visited on the tour
Bottled water
Lunch (some tours)

Where in Tokyo does it start?

Bike tours in Japan usually begin at easy-to-find meeting points in the city, such as the Tokyo Great Tours office and the Toranomon Hills building.

Remember to get to the meeting point at least 10 minutes before your tour starts so that you do not keep your tour guide and the rest of the group waiting.

How long do Tokyo bike tours last?

The typical duration of a bike tour in Tokyo is around 3 hours. That being said, there are quite a few longer tours also available, ranging from 4.5 to 8 hours in length.

Whether you only have the morning available or are looking for a full-day activity, there is a tour to suit everyone.

When is the best time for a bike tour in Tokyo?

Traffic in Tokyo can be quite intimidating, so many people prefer to take tours that begin just after morning traffic has subsided at around 10 AM.

Booking a bike tour in Tokyo for the beginning of your stay provides you with an understanding of the city’s layout and introduces you to top-rated attractions that you may not have known about otherwise.

Which other outdoor activities can be done in Tokyo?

Travel tips

It is recommended that you have a moderate level of fitness when participating in a bike tour in Tokyo.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Bring extra cash along with you to purchase snacks and souvenirs along the way.
Book your bike tour in Tokyo ahead of time to secure your spot and avoid disappointment.

Bike Tours in Tokyo