Tokyo Backstreets Bike Tour: Discover Edo on a Half-Day Group-Limited, Private Pottering Experience
5.0
85 Ratings
Sumida City
Discover the hidden charm of Tokyo's backstreets on a private half-day bike tour. Explore the labyrinth-like alleys, ride under cherry blossoms, and experience the streets of Edo at your own pace.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Chōmeiji Sakuramochi - Sakuramochi, a Cherry Cake, is one of the most famous Japanese traditional sweets, which is wrapped in a salt-pickled cherry leaf, filled with red bean paste. They say, this shop founded the first Sakuramochi in Edo era. Why it is wrapped with salt-pickled leaf? Probably, somebody looked to a lot of leaves on ground, fallen from cherry blossom trees, and thought to use them for some food.
    *On Monday, we visit another Japanese sweet shop.
  • Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden - This temple is a part of Sensoji, founded in 595.
    There are many images of a “daikon (Japanese radish)” and a pouch in the temple.The daikon represents our minds trapped in deep ignorance, emanating poison of anger, but by offering a daikon to temple, that poison will be purged from our body and soul. The pouch is a symbol of treasure, and it represents the gift of prosperity in business.

There is a beautiful garden, which is authentic Japanese style, in the temple.

You can ride a small transportation (like a train) to go to the main building instead of walking up stairs.

  • Imado Shrine - Founded in 1063, this shrine is now a “Power spot”, that is popular for persons who want lovers or marriage partners. (Power Spot = Sacred place)

・ Beckoning Cat, Fortune Cat

They say, the first beckoning image was found in this shrine. We Japanese believe that beckoning cats brings great fortune, Such as business prosperity, family happiness. Cat ’s left paw brings many customers. Right paw brings money.

  • Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center ( Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts Museum) - This is a museum exhibiting a lot of Japanese traditional handicrfts.
    You can see how wonderful our craftsmanship is.
  • Senso-ji Temple - Cycling in front of the Kaminarimon gate, Sensoji (Asakusa) temple . Leave bikes, and enjoy walking inside the temple.
  • Kyu Yasuda Garden - Walking in the Japanese traditional garden, built in the 17th century.
  • Ryogoku Kokugikan - Cycling in front of the Ryogoku Sumo stadium. We may have a time to take pictures.
  • Oyokogawa Water Park - Cycling through the park towards the Tokyo Skytree.
  • Tokyo Skytree - Cycling under the tower.
  • Kyojima Minami Park - Old fashioned shopping malls where you can see the daily lives of Japanese.
What's Included
  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Helmets
  • Bicycle use
  • 1 tandem bike available by prior request
Additional Information

● Enjoy a private half-day pottering experience tailored for one group per day

A private tour offers the benefit of a peaceful outing to individuals who sign up separately. In these times where social distancing is being encouraged, it stands out as a day trip that can be enjoyed without crowding.

Recently, day-long private bike tours in Tokyo have gained popularity, especially among international visitors in Japan. Here, we bring you a half-day biking tour, a pottering trip oozing with Edo’s enchantments, that provides a unique perspective of the city.

● More than just tourist attractions! Discover the allure of Tokyo’s hidden lanes!
The tour commences in Hikifune, a downtown region within Tokyo. Conveniently located near Asakusa and Tokyo Sky Tree, it’s easily accessible.

Between March and April, the route showcases cherry trees in their peak bloom. The tour consists of various spots where you can cycle beneath cherry blossoms.

Additionally, instead of bustling main roads, we’ll navigate through secret lanes. Although Tokyo’s streets are said to be more labyrinthine than moat cities, our knowledgeable guide ensures a unique exploration of the downtown maze.

● A cycling journey through the Edo cityscape
There are several walking tours in Edo and its towns, but bike tours are rare.

Despite being a bike tour, it is private, so you’re free to set your own pace!

Whether you wish to leisurely follow the route while picturing the Edo period cityscape, or experience the rush of cycling, you can enjoy the tour at your pace.

  • Our rental bikes are folding bikes with 14-20 inch, suitable for people between 140 - 180 cm tall. Please inform priorly if you are over 180cm.
  • If you wish to cycle with a tandem bike, please inform us 3 days before the day you booked.
Location
東京下町自転車ツアー Tokyo Backstreets Bike Tour
About 3 minutes walk from Hikifune railway station on Tobu skytree line. About 5 minutes walk from Keisei Hikifune railway station on Keisei line. Find the board "Tokyo Backstreets Bike Tour" on the ground floor, and come to the 2nd floor. Please come there 10 minutes before your starting time.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(85 Ratings)
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Valerieku3996ln
May 20, 2024
Loved the tour but… - Loving this biking tour! Takeshi san is very informative and passion in sharing the history of the town during the tour. Enjoyed every sightseeing points and the experience in whole. Only complaint is Viator said it is a private biking tour but ended up having another traveler joining us, without any prior notice!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Valerie_k
May 18, 2024
Lovely time exploring another side of Tokyo - The guide was friendly and very informative. We enjoyed the tour very much. Highly recommended it. Except it turned out to not a private group. But lucky another guest was a wonderful person.
Review provided by Viator
Salah_s
May 17, 2024
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path tour of Tokyo - We had such an amazing time on our bike tour! From the delicious cherry cake to the off the beaten path shrines, temples, gardens, and neighborhoods, our tour was a highlight of our time in Tokyo. We feel so grateful to our guide who showed us places and taught us insights that we never would have seen otherwise! We can’t recommend this enough.
Review provided by Viator
Dsxot
May 10, 2024
What a blast to ride on the backstreets of Tokyo! - I had a wonderful backstreet tour and saw some different sites I would not have on my own. The owner/guide is super personable and knowledgeable. This was the first time on a fold up bike and it was so much fun!! Highly recommend this tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Theovu888lw
May 3, 2024
Owl 👍 - Superb bike ride through the small streets of Tokyo. The explanations given and the visits to temples/canals/candy factories/sumo fighting arenas...which punctuated our escapade were very appreciated. THANKS !! 😊 Théo and Calixte
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marietteb587
Apr 18, 2024
Fun and informative experience! - We really enjoyed seeing the backstreets and learning about local culture. The tour was a good mix of bike riding and sight seeing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisaln3000rc
Apr 17, 2024
Fun and informative - What a wonderful time we had. Learnt about the culture and history relating to the area and got to try a few Japanese treats. Great balance of riding and resting or stopping to view the sites. Thanks again and would definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a tour to do in Japan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K608rfmariad
Apr 13, 2024
Tour en vélo / cycling tour - Amazing cycling tour. Taka took his time explaining the various stops, such as the temples, the Japanese traditions, the sky tree tower, etc. Taka is very nice and shares stories, as well as adapts to children. Will highly recommend. Super tour en vélo. Taka prend son temps, en expliquant les différents stops - les traditions japonaises, les temples, le sky tower. Taka est très gentil et s’adapte aux enfants. Nous recommandons vivement
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Inspire579932
Apr 12, 2024
Great way to see Tokyo - A fantastic way to see a part of Tokyo that isn’t overcrowded. Takeshi was a knowledgeable guide who took us through the back streets and answered all our questions. I highly recommend this as a part of your visit to Tokyo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ducnha_p
Apr 11, 2024
Sakura tour in bicycle - Sharing a glimpse of Asakusa and Sumida way of living, bicycle safely with our guide Take. We also have taken really memorable pictures under Sakura
Review provided by Viator
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