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Outdoors

Kyoto Arashiyama Bike Ride

You ride from central Kyoto along the Katsura River to Arashiyama and the Togetsukyo Bridge, then loop through the quieter Sagano district past Tenryuji, Okochi Sanso, Jojakkoji, Nisonin, Gioji, Adashino Nenbutsuji and Daikakuji temples. Much of the Sagano section runs through rural lanes and past fields.

For The Reps · Updated

bike ride scenery for Kyoto Arashiyama near Kyoto
Photo: Kyoto Arashiyama AKOGAREYA 2013-09-16 by At by At, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Kyoto, Japan
Distance
About 12 km each way from Kyoto Station, plus the Sagano loop
Time
About 50 minutes each way from Kyoto Station, plus time in Sagano

The route

Kyoto Station to Arashiyama on the Katsura River route, then a loop of Sagano's temples.

Rental shops near Kyoto Station, such as the Kyoto Cycling Tour Project, recommend this riverside route. Or take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station (15 minutes) and rent a bike there for around 1,000 yen.

When to go

Arashiyama is at its busiest in early April and the second half of November.

Before you go

  • Park only in designated bicycle parking; the Arashiyama sightseeing car park takes bikes for 200 yen a day.
  • Lock up and walk the bamboo grove: the Randen (Keifuku) cycling map marks its paths as no entry for bicycles.
  • The Kyoto City Tourism Association asks riders to go slowly in Arashiyama when it is crowded.
  • Keep to the left and put your phone away: the new cycling fines apply to visitors too.

What to bring

  • Helmet
  • Spare tube, tyre levers and a pump
  • Water and snacks
  • Front and rear lights
  • A layer for descents and stops

Getting ready for it

Time in the saddle matters more than speed.

If you have not ridden for a while, do two or three rides of an hour or two first so your legs and your seat are used to it.

Staying safe

  • Since April 2026, police in Japan can fine cyclists aged 16 and over on the spot, including tourists: for example 12,000 yen for phone use while riding and 5,000 yen for holding an umbrella.
  • Wear bright clothing and use lights wherever there is traffic.
  • Check your brakes and tyres before you leave.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against kctp.net, japan-guide.com, kyoto.travel, keifuku.co.jp and matcha-jp.com. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.