Kyoto Rickshaw Tour: Explore Historic Districts and Scenic Beauty in a Traditional Ride

Embark on a Kyoto Rickshaw Tour and discover the historic districts and scenic beauty of this vibrant city. Explore bamboo groves, impressive shrines, wooden buildings, and stone alleys with a knowledgeable guide.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Ebisuya, Kyoto Higashiyama - tour operator for Higashiyama area
  • Yasakanoto - landmark of Higashiyama
  • Miyagawacho Kaburenjo - Geisha district and traditional wooden town houses
  • Tatsumi Bridge - small bridge in traditional district
  • Shoren-in Temple (Shoren-in Monzeki) - beautiful temple with garden
  • Chion-in Temple - impressive temple
  • Yasaka Shrine - large shrine in Gion area. worth a visit during new years, before or after the rickshaw tour!
  • Nene-no-Michi - feel the history as you travel on the old cobble stone street
What's Included
  • Rickshaw ride
  • Local English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

Step into an authentic Japanese rickshaw for the ride of a lifetime, through some of the most scenic and historic districts in Kyoto, Japan. Explore the intriguing wooden buildings and stone alleys (maybe even spotting a geisha or two) in Kyoto’s famed Higashiyama area, all with a knowledgeable local guide and rickshaw driver. This authentic, customizable Kyoto adventure is a fun introduction to this beautiful city.

  • Adult pricing applies to age 6 and over
  • Children 5 years and under may sit on an adult’s lap (one child per adult)
  • A maximum of 2 adults per rickshaw. Up to 2 children, 5 years and under, can ride with 2 adults (children have to ride on an adult’s lap)
  • While rickshaws are able to fit two adults, each rickshaw is 29.1 inches (74 centimeters) wide, and it is sometimes more comfortable to book individual rickshaws for each passenger. For passengers of size, we recommend booking a rickshaw for each participant to ensure a comfortable ride. Passengers who do not both fit in one rickshaw but wish to participate in a tour at the same time will be required to purchase an additional rickshaw, which may not be available on the date of the tour with an English-speaking guide if not booked in advance. Those customers who do not purchase an additional rickshaw at the time of booking cannot be guaranteed availability
  • Wheelchair- and stroller-friendly
  • This tour can be customized depending on your interests
  • If a child (5 years and younger) will be using one of the two seats of the rickshaw, it must book as an adult.
  • The amount of time you will be late will be deducted from your tour duration (delay of 10min or more results in automatic cancellation)
  • Any time changes/rescheduling requests sent after 5pm the day before your tour can not be accommodated
  • our tours take place, rain or shine.
Location
Ebisuya Higashiyama
Meeting place for HIGASHIYAMA tour. Go to Ichinenzaka in Higashiyama (on the cobble stone street, Nene Street, by the Kodaiji Temple and Ichinenzaka. You can search for "Ebisuya Higashiyama" on google maps for exact location)
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(161 Ratings)
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Melissa_e
Jul 17, 2024
One of the best experiences during our vacation in Japan. - It was a fantastic experience and our guides were friendly and engaging. We felt safe and well cared for, and would recommend this to anyone visiting Kyoto.
Review provided by Viator
Donna_t
Jul 16, 2024
Ebisuya Higashiyama - Our driver, Moto, was wonderful! Safe ride stopping at interesting spots to educate us on the history of temple or shrine. Would definitely want to do this again!
Review provided by Viator
Nathalia_e
Jul 12, 2024
Awesome Guides - This was an awesome experience. Our tour guides were top notch. These men really work their butts off. So much history in Kyoto. Would recommend this for anyone wanting to cover a lot of ground and temples while learning about the town. Our kids enjoyed the ride and the tour guides made it interactive. Would do this again for places we didn’t get to experience.
Review provided by Viator
Linh_n
Jul 3, 2024
Best way to tour Bamboo Forest - We had a great experience at the Arashiyama using Rickshaw tour. We did the 45 min but I wish we did the 1 hr. However, it was still enough time for us to enjoy a quick tour around the bamboo forest without the crowd. Enough time to take the photo without the people. You are entering the bamboo grove using exclusive track so you only see other rickshaw and no other people. This allow us to have some really nice picture. I highly recommend this. Side note, throughout the tour, we do not get off the rickshaw. The blanket is to keep bugs and mosquitoes out. Also please note, they do not accept tips from us. He was so kind and told us no tip needed in Japan. I felt bad but all he asked is for us to write review on his service. I love Japan!!
Review provided by Viator
Dreamer18221227206
Jun 29, 2024
Highly recommend - The driver took great pictures and was very informative. Best way to see the area and the bamboo forest. Aki was our guide. Did a great job.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sean_s
Jun 18, 2024
Seeing the bamboo forest in style! - This tour was one of the highlights of our trip. These rickshaw drivers work hard, especially in the summer heat. Our drivers, Yuta and Nabe, were great! Not only did they masterfully maneuver through the crowds, but Yuta also took some AMAZING photos of us on our trip. Using the Rickshaws allowed us to access a separate path in the bamboo forest, allowing us to avoid at least some of the crowds. In addition to the bamboo forests (2 separate ones, in fact) they took us to a nice little temple that had no crowds! With most of our days in Japan consisting of over 20,000 steps per day, it was nice to let someone else do the legwork for us for a bit. I'd highly recommend this to anyone that wants to avoid some crowds and sit back to enjoy the scenery.
Review provided by Viator
Catcat135
Jun 8, 2024
Great experience - Amu was excellent, very friendly during our ride. He’s also a great photographer! We really enjoyed this peaceful and comfortable way to see the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_s
Jun 6, 2024
Arashiyama rickshaw tour - Ocean, our rickshaw guide was incredible and took incredible pictures. His knowledge of the area and attractions was outstanding. He was very relatable.
Review provided by Viator
John
May 29, 2024
Rickshaw - Great experience and really friendly drivers. Made you feel really comfortable and have loads of information about the area
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Echerng80
Apr 15, 2024
Great Family Experience - Wonderful experience. Highly recommend, especially with young kids. This is an exciting and fun way to have a look around Kyoto while keeping everyone together and engaged.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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