Kyoto Satoyama Cycling with Lunch and English Guide

High school students and teacher's family at the restaurant

Fresh lunch at old Japanese traditional restaurant

The beautiful fall foliage season is just around the corner — make sure to catch it!

Duration4h - 5h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesJapanese, English

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

This is a special private e-bike tour for adventure lovers who want to explore the traditional Japanese countryside, historic shrines, a Japanese castle, and the birthplace of Super Mario in Sonobe, Kyoto. Friendly local guides, born and raised here, will guide you in English.

Only 30 minutes by train from Kyoto City, Sonobe offers a peaceful Satoyama landscape where you can hear birds singing and the river flowing.

Enjoy a western-style lunch course made with local ingredients in a traditional Japanese house restaurant, with one drink included. Vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-friendly meals are available on request.

Optional cultural experiences are available:
⭐︎ Koto (traditional Japanese instrument) 2,000 yen per group
⭐︎ Traditional tea ceremony 1,000 yen per person

Please pay in cash on-site on the tour day.

A perfect chance to enjoy authentic Japanese culture and countryside life.

Options

古民家でのランチコース

Duration: 4 hours: This includes travel time by bicycle.
Western-style lunch set : It's a delicious Western-style lunch made with fresh vegetables grown by local farmers. The meal includes a drink and dessert
Explore Mt. Super Mario: This small mountain is where Mr. Miyamoto Shigeru was born and raised. He got the idea of Super Mario from this place.

Kyoto Satoyama Cycling in Nantan with the Electric Assist Bike

What's included

Bottled mineral water, lunchtime drinks
Lunch
Use of bicycle
Use of high-quality helmets with built-in headphones and microphones
Restroom on board

What to expect

Ikimi Tenmangu Shrine
10m

Sure, here is the English translation:

This is the oldest Tenmangu Shrine in Japan. It enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning, and many people visit to pray for success in their exams. For those who wish to visit, a guide will provide a tour in English. Amulets and other items are available for purchase.
The ruins of Sonobe Castle
20m

This is the last castle built in Japan. It is currently used as the main gate of Sonobe High School. The remaining structures include the main gate, castle walls, turrets, and guardhouse. Depending on the schedule, it may be possible to enter the gate. Please consult us if you are interested.
1h 50m

Using a closed elementary school, you can experience making soba noodles using buckwheat flour harvested in the local area and enjoy freshly boiled soba. Tempura and rice balls are also served.
Make Shrine
30m

This shrine enshrines the god of agriculture from the Tanba region, which has historically supported the food supply of Kyoto. The main hall's roof is a traditional thatched roof. Here, you can learn the proper way to worship at a Shinto shrine. You can also experience the serene atmosphere of a traditional Japanese shrine.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

After exiting the ticket gate of JR Sonobe Station, turn left and walk 30 meters down the corridor. Then, go down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, turn right, and you will see the bicycle rental office. This is the meeting and dismissal location.

End point

After exiting the ticket gate of JR Sonobe Station, turn left and walk 30 meters down the corridor. Then, go down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, turn right, and you will see the bicycle rental office. This is the meeting and dismissal location.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The total duration of the tour includes the travel time by bicycle. The travel time between each point is approximately 10 to 20 minutes.
Depending on the options you choose, some activities may take a bit more time. For example, exploring Mt. Komugi, the birthplace of Mario, may extend the tour past 2 PM. Please be aware of this possibility.
Additionally, you can choose two or three extra experiences from the options , which are included in the tour price. Please let us know at the start of the tour. Castle(visit), Shinto shrines (worship), Drinking Spring water(over a small mountain), Taking a photo in a Kimono, Playing the Koto(Japanese traditional installment), Mario Mountain Exploration
In case of cancellation due to bad weather, we will notify the reservation holders by 5:00 PM the day before. At that time, you can either transportation by car or reschedule for another date or cancel your reservation. No cancellation fee will be charged.
Participation Fee: 15,000 yen for one person

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

5.0 (19)