Hi there! I’m Yuki, the tour guide or a sweet tooth who switched to eating dark chocolate, convincing myself it is healthier. Up to this point, I have shared some information about what’s included in our Discovery Bicycle Tours Kyoto’s Arashiyama tour. Therefore, I’d love to share why discovering Kyoto on two wheels beats walking or car tours hands down. Yes, I think you all know bicycles are faster than walking, and cheaper than car travel. BUT! Do you know "how much"? Therefore, I will use this opportunity to inform you of two reasons why e-bike touring is the perfect way to explore this beautiful city with concrete information.
E-bike can take you to major tourist landmarks within one hour from the central of Kyoto
Firstly, how fast do we usually walk? Our google told me that the average speed of walking is about 4 km per an hour. Then what about e-bike? According to Mr. Google, e-bike travel 10 km~17 km per an hour, about 2-4 times faster than feet. And here's where you can go from Kyoto Station, which is a central spot for traveling Kyoto, and how long they will take on e-bike.
・Reach iconic temples like Kiyomizu-dera in just 20 minutes
・Pedal to the bamboo forests of Arashiyama in about 45 minutes
・Visit the golden Kinkaku-ji in roughly 30 minutes
As you can see, you can travel to pretty much any major landmark within 60 minutes from central Kyoto. Moreover, you can stop anytime at whatever catches your attention, and much more easily park your ride compared to a car!
How much is it to travel Kyoto by car?
Speaking of a car, you can rent a car near Kyoto station, which starts with approximately JP 7000 yen per 6 hours to begin with. On the other hand, a rental bicycle is about JP 900 yen per 6 hours to begin with. As you might have guessed in the last paragraph, it is hard to find a cheap parking spot, or just a parking spot, especially central Kyoto. Therefore, if you have extra money, a cab might be another option. But again, it is hard to stop at whatever interests you on the spot. Therefore, I would still recommend renting a bicycle.
Explore Kyoto Sustainably: Why E-Bikes Are the Eco-Friendly Choice
At Discovery Bicycle Tours Kyoto, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. As part of e-charity, our parent company, we’re committed to making e-bikes accessible and environmentally friendly. E-charity began its journey by addressing the high cost of e-bikes in Japan—often nearly half a full-timer’s monthly salary—which makes them difficult for many to afford. Our solution? Recycling e-bikes.
We start by purchasing used e-bikes, carefully inspecting and restoring them to near-new condition. The result is high-quality, affordable e-bikes that anyone can enjoy. With this vision, we launched our e-bike tours business in Okinawa, and now we bring it to Kyoto, offering electric bike tours that are not only fun but also emission-free, allowing you to explore the city without harming the environment.
Ready to Pedal Your Way Through Kyoto?
E-bike tours aren’t just a mode of transportation—they’re an experience. Enjoy the countless benefits of eco-friendly travel while soaking in Kyoto’s unique charm at your own pace. Let’s make your Kyoto adventure unforgettable.
Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll share the best apps for renting bicycles in Kyoto. And if you need some local tour guide for a tour? Don’t wait—let’s start this journey together
