Kyoto Rickshaw Tour
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Kyoto, Japan
- 30 minutes to 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Rest your feet whilst sightseeing around Kyoto on this private rickshaw tour. Meet your rider, then relax as you pass the city's highlights and landmarks. Pass by the Tatsumi Bridge, Shoren-in Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and more. Ideal for travelers who want to break up their vacation itinerary with something a little more leisurely.
- Have a personalized experience on this private ride
- Choose from different tour lengths to suit your budget
- Opt for a departure time to suit your vacation schedule
- A great option for travelers with mobility needs
What's Included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Rickshaw ride
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Ebisuya Higashiyama Rickshaw483 Shimokawarachō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0825, Japan
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)
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Ebisuya, Kyoto Higashiyama (Pass By)
Yasakanoto (Pass By)
Miyagawacho Kaburenjo (Pass By)
Tatsumi Bridge (Pass By)
Shoren-in Temple (Shoren-in Monzeki) (Pass By)
Chion-in Temple (Pass By)
Yasaka Shrine (Pass By)
Nene-no-Michi (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- 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.
- This tour does NOT include the bamboo forest in Kyoto Arashiyama
- finishing locations other than our rickshaw stand may be subject to an additional drop-off fee (payable on the day of the tour)
- not all landmarks on the itinerary can be covered by shorter tour options. Please discuss options in advance or directly with guide
- The voucher/ ticket can only be used at our Kyoto Higashiyama branch. It is invalid at our Kyoto Arashiyama branch.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 213 reviews
Deborah_S, Apr 2026
This was an excellent way to see Gion! We had Ichi as our rickshaw driver and he was knowledgeable, funny and a good photographer. We learnt so much about the district and would highly recommend the tour and Ichi.
Annie_R, Apr 2026
We had an excellent experience with our rickshaw driver! He was personable, cheerful, full of information, and just made the whole experience delightful! We really appreciated his personality and kindness. It was a relaxing and entertaining way to see the city.
Michelle_M, Jan 2026
A highlight of our trip. I unexpectedly found myself in a wheelchair unable to walk lots so this was a way to see the city still and it turned out to be one of our best Japanese experiences. We had Fumi and Kai as our guides and they were funny, knowledgeable, chatty and incredibly fit! We saw so much in our 2 hours with time to explore various areas.
Farai_A, Dec 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our rickshaw experience. I understand why other reviewers called it a must-do experience while you're in Kyoto. Your actual route will depend on the length of tour you opt for at booking. We booked 2 hours and our guide / driver asked us what we had already seen and what we were interested in seeing in the area.
Our "driver" was friendly and entertaining and we were tucked cozily under warm blankets on a cold day. We really got a sense of Kyoto and enjoyed seeing numerous points of interest along the way, including Kennin-ji Temple (Kyoto's oldest Zen temple), Maruyama Park, and Chionin Temple where we made stops. Our guide also shared information on the places we visited, tips on what we may want to check out later on our own, and took great pictures for us (also showing us good photo spots).
2 hours flew by and we had a great time! Highly recommended!
Cheryl_S, Dec 2025
Ebisu rickshaw tour is an absolute must for first-timers in Kyoto and was one of the highlights of our trip. It’s the perfect way to experience the Higashiyama district’s ancient alleys, architecture, and shrines such as Yasaka and Kodaiji, while truly understanding the history and culture behind them.
Our experience was made exceptional by Mr Fumi and Mr Moto. Mr Fumi guided my husband and me, sharing rich historical insights with fluent English, warmth, and humour. He was jovial, polite, and incredibly knowledgeable, stopping at scenic spots to take beautiful photos and even creating a lovely edited video at the end—a wonderful keepsake.
Mr Moto was the rickshaw guide for our two teenage kids. Young, caring, and eloquent in English, he connected effortlessly with them by chatting about anime and modern Japanese culture, tailoring the tour perfectly to suit teenagers. Our kids absolutely loved the ride and couldn’t stop raving about the experience.
We’ve done rickshaw tours in other countries, but this was by far the best. Thoughtful, professional, and memorable—thank you Mr Fumi and Mr Moto for making our Kyoto trip so special.
Overall, this is a very big must-try—especially if you have limited time in Kyoto. It gives you a wonderful glimpse into the city’s culture and history, and you appreciate it even more after seeing it for yourself: the atmosphere, daily life, and everything happening as you glide through the alleys.
Shanshan_P, Nov 2025
Best way to see the old town and learn about the culture, conventions and folk lore. Our operators speak great English and take beautiful photos.
Roxanne_W, Nov 2025
Our guide, Fuji, was absolutely amazing! We really enjoyed our time with him. We saw some beautiful parks and he took some great pictures. Highly recommend.
William_W, Nov 2025
Fabulous Rickshaw tour of Gion with Kanta - he showed us some of the loveliest streets and temples in the district and his English is excellent. He explained what we saw well and happily answered all of our questions. We were fortunate to see a real Geisha arriving for her lunch appointment and were able to take a few discreet photos. All in all an excellent experience that we would recommend to all of our friends and family.
David_S, Oct 2025
This rickshaw tour was one of the highlights of our time in Kyoto. Fumi, our guide (and powerhouse!), brought the city’s history to life with stories that were heartfelt, vivid, and full of local insight.
We stopped at tucked-away temples, shrines, streets and scenic spots we would never have found on our own, and Fumi’s passion for Kyoto’s heritage was infectious.
Yes, we felt a little guilty being pulled around—but his pride in sharing this tradition and reassurance it was his pleasure to do so made it a beautiful way to experience old Kyoto through the eyes of someone who clearly loves it.
Greg_F, Oct 2025
We had a excellent rickshaw operator,Yoshi was very informative and his English was excellent.Highly recommended
Diana_T, Oct 2025
This was truly the best way to see the beautiful streets of Kyoto! Yoshi, Daichi and Takumi were the nicest, fittest and lovely guides. They even walked us to the shrine and explained the whole history and customs. I would do it again in a heart beat.
Luk_O, Oct 2025
Really enjoy the ride, very nice team! We lucky to see Miko Geisha. My son and I love this experience! 5-star service!
William_M, Oct 2025
Outstanding tour and experience. Our guide was an expert in the streets of Kyoto. Physically fit, perhaps the hardest working man in Kyoto. Again, outstanding.
Karina_C, Oct 2025
Hina was such a knowledgable person and patient in answering all my questions. I would highly recommend this activity to my friends but really i want to thank Hina for being the best tour guide ive come across Japan, such a hard worker! I felt like a princess that day for how attentive he was and making sure i was comfortable throughout my tour🩵
Susanne_J, Sep 2025
We only took the 1/2 hour tour and had the most lovely time. Our driver was extremely helpful and took pictures for us and of us. Totally recommend this experience!!
Aishah_I, Sep 2025
What better way to take a moment to absorb your surroundings whilst in the hustle and bustle of Japan. Amazing guides (Fumi & Hina), fascinating history and memories to last a lifetime.
Mary_C, Jun 2025
We had 3 rickshaws for our family. Before the trip, my teens asked 'what's a rickshaw?'. After the trip, they were laughing and talking about how much fun our guides Dairhic, Riyu, and Makoto were. The guides did an excellent job relating with everyone in the group...all while hefting several hundred pounds up a hill and in a second language!
d7ztmdjjzp, May 2025
We ended up doing the Rickshaw ride at Arashiyama. WOW WOW a must if you are in Kyoto. I cannot say enough about my gratitude to Larissa who made it all possible. Her customer service is amazing. We had Yoshi and he’s the best. So engaging and fun and loved our interaction with him. If you want the best pictures in Bamboo forest try to get Yoshi. He works magic with all the pictures he took from our ride. We have great memories from this tour.
Kwan_E, May 2025
We had 2 rickshaws. Both guys were great (Fumi & Su). They are knowledgeable and hospitable. We saw and learned a lot during the two hours ride.
Marc_G, May 2025
We had the 70 minute Higashiyama tour with our guide Shuhei and he was fantastic. We saw a lot in the beautiful district of Gion with its many buddhist temples and shinto shrines. Fun, interesting and romantic... highly recommended!
Glenn_G, May 2025
From the very start, this was a great experience. We were warmly greeted by our driver, Moto and the trip started. These “drivers” work so hard, both physically and as a guide to make the trip great. We had taken a night time walking tour the night before of the same general area and it was great to see it during the day. This is a must do experience.
Andree_M, Apr 2025
Kai was our very knowledgeable guide whose high level of fitness enabled him to haul around two six footers for 90 minutes. He gave, literally, a running commentary around the beautiful, narrow streets of old Kyoto, alowing us to stop and take photos.
Kai was such a lovely, personable young man, laughing all the way round and learned, from us, the all important new word "chimney"!
A highly recommended tour. Be warned, the rickshaw seats are only 29" wide!
Blanca_B, Apr 2025
Our rickshaw puller was Kota and he was friendly, informative and impressively strong. His English was good and we had a wonderful 2 hour tour where we visited shrines, temples and very picturesque areas. He was also a very good photographer!
Claire_S, Apr 2025
This rickshaw tour/rise was amazing. Humi was wonderful and our time with him will be a cherished highlight of our trip to Japan. Must book!
MELISSA_F, Apr 2025
Very cool way to get around the Kyoto we hadn’t seen yet. Our drivers took us to Sakura park with hundreds of beautiful cherry blossoms and street vendors and taught us the history behind Temples and shrines in that area. We went through the geisha district and learned so much. We loved this experience.
cecilia_c, Apr 2025
We had a fantastic time on our Rickshaw tour! Our drivers were so nice, and knowledgeable not to mention they were the best photographers and videographers we could’ve asked for! We did a 70 minute tour and it was perfect!
Kim_B, Apr 2025
This was a highlight of our trip. Knowlegable driver. Amazing photographer. Loved the special path with no crowds to get great photos. Loved how flexible our driver was and dropped us at the Rickshaw cafe for brunch. Highly recommend.
Karen_B, Apr 2025
My husband was not very enthused about going on this tour but changed his mind after we went on it. We had chosen the 70 minute tour and we both had our own rickshaw. It was good to explore Gion this way. Both of our drivers were fun. Daichi and Kai were funny. I would highly recommend.
Diane_V, Apr 2025
This experience was fantastic. We reserved 3 hours for 4 people and had 2 rickshaws. Kota and Fumi were our drivers and we had so much fun we added on an additional 3 hours. They were great guides with so much knowledge. I would highly recommend this tour especially if it’s your first time to Kyoto. They are great photographers too with a good sense of humor.
AndyRose, Mar 2025
Please, if you’re in Kyoto must do this experience. We have the three hour trip our guide Kota was excellent. His knowledge about the city and history was amazing. What a very friendly lad he was I couldn’t believe how fit he was pulling around that rickshaw. Again, what an amazing experience, thank you.
Likely to Sell Out
From $38.44
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Special Offer
Kyoto Rickshaw Tour
213
3 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$38.44
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Kyoto, Japan
- Shimogamo-jinja Shrine Tours & Tickets
- Nanzen-ji Temple Tours & Tickets
- Gion Corner Tours & Tickets
- Tofuku-ji Temple Tours & Tickets
- Sagano Tours & Tickets
- Teramachi Street Tours & Tickets
- Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum Tours & Tickets
- Pontocho Alley Tours & Tickets
- Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyu) Tours & Tickets
- The Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku-no-michi) Tours & Tickets
- Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) Tours & Tickets
- Kyoto Station Tours & Tickets
- Maruyama Park (Maruyama Koen) Tours & Tickets
- Kyoto Tower Tours & Tickets