News

Are you tired of walking long distances and navigating crowded buses in Kyoto? Do you wish you could explore the city more freely without the hassle of transfers and traffic jams?

e-Bike sightseeing in Kyoto is far more fun and comfortable than you can imagine!

Why an e-Bike is Recommended for Kyoto Sightseeing

Using public buses for your Kyoto sightseeing is often not recommended. Buses on routes that go to places like Kiyomizu-dera and Gion are already packed with tourists right from Kyoto Station. It's a waste of your precious travel time to spend it waiting in long lines and crammed into a full bus.

That's why we recommend bicycles! An e-Bike, or an electric-assist sports bicycle, can solve all your travel problems in Kyoto.

Let's take a closer look at why an e-Bike is perfect for Kyoto sightseeing.

There are so many reasons why an e-Bike is the best way to explore Kyoto. So, how will an e-Bike change your trip? Let me show you how it changed mine! I personally rode a WanderCycle Kyoto e-Bike on a tour from 9 AM to 3 PM, exploring Kiyomizu-dera and Gion. Let me tell you all about it with photos!

Now, let's begin our Kyoto adventure together!

Accessing WanderCycle Kyoto

Our tour starts at Keihan Railway Shichijo Station. First, we'll head to the WanderCycle Kyoto shop to rent our electric bicycle.

After exiting the underground Shichijo Station, you'll walk a short distance east on Shichijo Street, then turn south. The landmark for the turn is "Kissa Amazon," a retro and charming coffee shop. Once you see it, turn into the street on the south side.

Just after you turn, you’ll see our shop with a large fabric sign. It’s easy to spot. The shutters might be down in summer and winter, but we’re open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day, so feel free to ring the doorbell to enter.

The door is a little heavy, but once you step inside, a staff member will greet you with a bright smile! If you come without a reservation, a staff member might be on the second floor, so please press the call button on the counter and wait for a moment.

9:00 AM - The Rental Process

Before renting, I used the "Luggage Storage Option." You can leave your luggage, like suitcases, and travel lightly. You can make a request through our contact form in advance or simply ask a staff member on the day of your rental.

The e-Bike I rented for the day was a Tern VEKTRON. With its compact tires and powerful electric assist, it’s an excellent choice for first-time e-Bike riders.

The staff adjusted the saddle height and gave me a thorough lesson on how to ride the bike. They covered how to change the assist mode, switch gears, and remove the battery. Feel free to ask any questions you have. The lecture was clear and easy to understand for an e-Bike beginner like me.

Finally, you’ll receive an instruction sheet.

You can keep it in your wallet or phone case for peace of mind. The sheet is available in both English and Japanese.

Locks and helmets are available for free. Helmets come in three sizes—S, M, and L—so you can find the perfect fit and enjoy your ride safely!

9:20 AM - Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, and Ninenzaka

My bike is ready! It's time to hit the streets of Kyoto. My first destination is Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Kyoto's most iconic spots. It's best to visit early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

After leaving the shop, I rode for a bit and saw the slope leading to Kiyomizu-zaka. As soon as I started pedaling, the bike felt incredibly light. With just a little pressure on the pedals, the electric assist pulled me forward powerfully. It rolled smoothly over the cracked asphalt, picking up speed.

Many customers ask if the hill to Kiyomizu-dera is tough, but it was surprisingly smooth on an e-Bike. The electric assist let me enjoy the beautiful scenery without the hard work.

About five minutes up the slope, I arrived at the public parking lot (for a fee) in the middle of the hill. There are a few routes to Kiyomizu-dera, and this lot is on "Chawan-zaka," so it’s a good idea to check your route beforehand. The lot was spacious, and when I arrived, about 70% of the spots were still open.

From the parking lot, it was another five-minute walk to the temple's large gate. The path was lined with shops and was lively with tourists, but not too crowded, as it was still early.

Then, I entered the temple grounds. The view of Kyoto from the beautiful main hall was absolutely breathtaking. It's so high up that it makes perfect sense why the road leading up to it is so long!

After visiting Kiyomizu-dera, I walked through the shops along Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka.

Even in September, it was still hot in Kyoto, so I decided to get some soft-serve ice cream. I chose the matcha and hojicha (roasted green tea) mix. The hojicha's savory aroma and the matcha's slight bitterness were a perfect match—it was delicious!

After my break, I returned to the bike and set off again! From Kiyomizu-dera to the Yasaka area, I took some smaller roads with less car traffic. The VEKTRON’s excellent maneuverability made it easy to get around tight corners that would be difficult for larger bikes. When the road was crowded with pedestrians, I simply walked the bike, and when it was clear, I glided along smoothly. This freedom of movement is a huge part of the fun of bike touring.

11:00 AM - Yasaka Koshin-do & Yasaka Pagoda

Before going to the next spot, I parked my bike at the Eco-Cycle Park Higashiyama Yasui No. 1 (for a fee). From there, I walked to Yasaka Koshin-do Temple. The sun was getting strong, but the wind in the shade felt nice.

Yasaka Koshin-do is famous for its colorful "Kukuri-saru"—small monkey figures with their hands and feet tied. They symbolize the desire to control our restless minds, just like a monkey's hands and feet are bound. The temple was filled with these colorful "Kukuri-saru," each one holding a visitor's wish. It was a vibrant and beautiful sight.

Just beside Yasaka Koshin-do, you can see the five-story pagoda of Yasaka-no-to! Standing tall on the top of the hill with the blue sky behind it, it looks very majestic. When I saw it in person, I was surprised at how much bigger it was than I had imagined!

11:50 AM - Nene-no-michi & Maruyama Park

From the parking lot, I got back on my e-Bike and headed towards Gion. I rode along "Nene-no-michi" to get to Yasaka Shrine. The path is named after Nene, the wife of a famous samurai, who spent her later years in this area.

The beautiful, regularly-laid stone pavement and the historic buildings create a charming and very Kyoto-like atmosphere. The path wasn't crowded, so I could enjoy a peaceful ride. When riding on an e-Bike, you can take your time to admire the intricate patterns of the stone pavement and the historical buildings that you might miss in a car. The pleasant vibration from the stone path is a luxurious feeling that only a bicycle can provide.

I rode through Maruyama Park to get to Yasaka Shrine. The road from Nene-no-michi to the famous "Nishi-romon" (West Gate) of Yasaka Shrine is a long, gentle downhill slope. The e-Bike allowed me to glide through the wind smoothly without pedaling, and it felt amazing!

12:10 PM - Yasaka Shrine

When you visit Yasaka Shrine, we recommend parking your bike at "Fruit Bicycle Park Gion" (for a fee), which is just a two-minute walk north of the shrine.

I arrived at the Nishi-romon gate. The sight of the vermilion gate at the top of the stone steps was breathtaking. The magnificent scale and design made me feel the deep history that has been passed down for centuries.

Inside the shrine, there were many stalls, creating a lively festival atmosphere. While individual photography is allowed, I cannot post photos of the main hall here. However, the many lanterns hanging from the eaves of the dance stage were truly a sight to see. I recommend taking your time to explore every corner. The shrine grounds also have a cafe, so if you want to explore in detail, you should plan to stay for at least an hour.

1:00 PM - Matcha Sweets in Gion

After visiting the shrine, I took a short break at a nearby cafe, a collaboration between "Kumo no Cha" and "Sasaya Shōen." Here, I had a cute matcha parfait! It was a perfect blend of deliciousness and charm, filled with vanilla and matcha ice cream, Sasaya Shōen's special warabi-mochi, sweet red bean paste, and mochi balls.

1:40 PM - Hanamikoji & Shirakawa-suji

Recharged, I retrieved my bike from the parking lot. I walked slowly west along Shijo Street, as riding bicycles there is prohibited. Enjoying the unique shops and traditional townscape, I headed toward Hanamikoji Street.

Hanamikoji is a street full of Gion's traditional charm, with white stone pavement and historic buildings. The atmosphere changes depending on the time of day. In the daytime, the white stone pavement stands out, and you can see the details of the wooden buildings. In the evening, you might spot a maiko or geiko heading to a teahouse. At night, lanterns softly light up the street, creating one of Gion's most beautiful moments.

After Hanamikoji, I continued on my bike. I rode north through a narrow alleyway and arrived at "Shirakawa-suji."

The clear water of the river flows with a gentle "sarasara" sound, and the sight of the swaying willow branches is incredibly peaceful. It was a perfect way to end my tour. I rode through what felt like a tunnel of green trees, listened to the sound of the flowing water, and stopped to admire the river. Thanks to the smooth ride and stable brakes of the e-Bike, I could fully appreciate the beauty of Shirakawa-suji with all my senses.

Riding along the Shirakawa-suji in the breeze of late summer was a perfect way to end a day of pleasant cycling and strolling.

Summary: Your Trip to Kyoto, Made Free and Comfortable

How did you enjoy this tour of Kyoto's main sights? An e-Bike offers a style of travel that is free and flexible.

My experience on this trip truly showed me how convenient an e-Bike is. Even on the hills of Kiyomizu-dera, I didn't get tired because of the electric assist. It made it possible to see multiple sights in one day—something that's often difficult on foot. The bike's compact size allowed me to explore narrow alleys that cars can't enter. By stepping just one block off a busy main street, you can discover hidden gems and beautiful townscapes.

WanderCycle Kyoto's services will make your trip even more comfortable:

If you want to explore Kyoto efficiently and move freely without worrying about hills, we highly recommend renting an e-Bike from WanderCycle Kyoto.

So, why not hop on an e-Bike and experience your own unique Kyoto adventure?