Kyoto E-Bike Adventure: Temples, Bamboo Forest & Lunch

4.6 (9 reviews) Kyoto, Japan
Duration7h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesPortuguese, English, French, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 12 travelers

Overview

SHORT 5 HOURS OR LONG 7 HOURS

Escape the crowds and discover Kyoto’s hidden bamboo grove on an unforgettable e-bike adventure through history, nature, and local culture.

Begin with a remarkable 6th-century burial mound that offers a glimpse into Japan’s Kofun period. Continue to the Rakusai Bamboo Museum and Bamboo Park, where you'll learn about bamboo's importance in Japanese culture and explore peaceful pathways lined with more than 110 varieties of bamboo.

(7-Hour Tour Only) Ride through a farming area to the mountain and visit Yoshiminedera, a spectacular hidden temple offering panoramic views, beautiful gardens, and a tranquil atmosphere.

Enjoy a lunch prepared by local sushi chefs. Then, visit Muko Shrine, a historic sanctuary founded over 1,300 years ago. Finish at the Muko City Cultural Museum, where exhibits bring the story of the ancient capital of Nagaokakyō to life.

This tour combines scenic cycling, local cuisine, hidden gems, and authentic Kyoto history.

Options

7-Hours - English/French
Private 7 Hours - Portuguese
5-Hours - English
7-Hours - English/Spanish
5-Hours - English/Portuguese
Private 7 Hours - French
7-Hours - English/Portuguese
5-Hours - English/French
Private 5 Hours - Spanish
Private 5-Hours - English
Private 7 Hours - Spanish
Private 5 Hours - French
Private 5 Hours - Portuguese
5-Hours - English/Spanish
7-Hours - English
Private 7 Hours - English

What's included

  • Souvenir pictures during the tour, accessible through our Private Drive.
  • Lunch Set with Sushi and Udon/Soba at a local restaurant
  • Admission fee
  • Rental E-bike
  • Helmet, if requested
  • Local Guide (English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese)
  • Extra Food and Drinks
  • Souvenirs and Shopping
  • Gesture of appreciation for the guide (optional)

What to expect

  1. 30m
    A National Historic Site dating to the mid-6th century, offers a captivating glimpse into Japan's late Kofun period as the prestigious final resting place of a powerful local leader from the Otokuni region. This impressive 46-meter-long keyhole-shaped burial mound is renowned for its remarkably well-preserved horizontal stone chamber, which houses a rare tuff sarcophagus painted with vibrant red pigment. Visitors to the surrounding park can even experience, during special seasonal openings, the view the interior chamber where a wealth of high-quality grave goods—including iron swords, silver fittings, and intricate haniwa—were once discovered.
  2. 45m · Admission ticket included
    A a hidden sanctuary that offers a tranquil alternative to the bustling paths of Arashiyama. This lush botanical haven features a traditional strolling garden showcasing over 110 varieties of bamboo and bamboo grass, complemented by the historic Dodobashi Bridge and ancient stone Buddhist statues. Surrounded by the scenic 1.8km "Take-no-michi" (Bamboo Path) with its artistically crafted fences, this park provides an immersive "bamboo forest bath" that perfectly captures the quiet, enduring spirit of Kyoto's natural heritage.
  3. 1h · Admission ticket included
    The museum’s engaging exhibits explore the ecology, diversity, and cultural uses of bamboo, including displays of different bamboo species and historical artifacts such as a bamboo-filament light bulb model made in the spirit of Thomas Edison’s Kyoto filament experiment.

    For a bit of fun, you may also have the chance to try “wanage” (a traditional ring-toss game) on site during special events or in designated activity areas, though availability depends on the day and season.
  4. 2h · Admission ticket included
    7 HOURS ONLY - YOSHIMINEDERA TEMPLE
    The adventure then shifts into a higher gear as you begin the scenic climb into Kyoto’s western mountains. Thanks to the assistance of your e-bike, the ascent becomes an enjoyable ride through beautiful rural landscapes leading to one of Kyoto’s most spectacular hidden temples: Yoshiminedera. Perched high above the city, this historic mountain temple rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views, beautiful seasonal gardens, and a peaceful atmosphere that feels worlds away from the urban center. Take time to explore the temple grounds, admire the famous ancient pine tree, and soak in the stunning scenery stretching across the Kyoto Basin.
  5. 1h · Admission ticket included
    Enjoy a local cuisine with a lunch set crafted on request by two sushi chefs, father and son, managing the same business for over 50 years.

    Lunch will suit pescatarians. A gluten-free option can be adapted on request.

    Does not suit vegetarians and vegans. Our apologies for the inconvenience
  6. 45m · Admission ticket included
    Mukō Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine founded in 718 during the Nara period, serving as the traditional guardian shrine of the Mukō area. It is dedicated to several deities associated with protection, agriculture, and prosperity. The main hall, built in the early 15th century in the elegant nagare-zukuri architectural style, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Visitors approach the shrine via a long stone-paved pathway, particularly admired for its cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage, creating a serene setting that reflects the shrine’s deep connection to local history and nature.
  7. Muko City Cultural Museum
    45m · Admission ticket included
    The Muko City Cultural Museum introduces the history of the area, with a focus on Nagaokakyō, the late 8th-century capital of Japan once located here. Through archaeological artifacts, models, and clear explanations, the museum offers an accessible overview of daily life and urban development in ancient times. Visitors may also be able to receive a local manhole cover card, although availability cannot be guaranteed and depends on current stock.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet your guide by the fake grass garden space, under the Hankyu railway. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.
Look for your guide wearing our "JTA" uniform, Navy cap, or navy winter hat, with Polo shirt, if not too cold.

Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nhwnt9cEkstkDstF8

End point

Meet your guide by the fake grass garden space, under the Hankyu railway. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.
Look for your guide wearing our "JTA" uniform, Navy cap, or navy winter hat, with Polo shirt, if not too cold.

Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nhwnt9cEkstkDstF8

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Guests must be comfortable E-bike riders. If you cannot ride an E-bike properly, for your own safety, the guide will have the right to stop you from joining the group. In that case, no refund will be given.

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

4.6 (9)
From
16,900.00 JPY per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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