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Kyoto Rickshaw Tour: Explore Historic Districts and Scenic Beauty in a Traditional Ride
4.9
211 Ratings
Kyoto
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.
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:
24 hours
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 -…
- 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
- Rickshaw ride
- Local English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
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,…
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.
- 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.
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(211 Ratings)
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266havam
Jan 20, 2026
Great Experience! - We had an amazing time on this tour! Much more than we could have ever expected. Our guide was super knowledgeable about the area, and he made sure that we saw many things that we would not have seen by ourselves.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_m
Jan 11, 2026
Brilliant Experience - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Farai_a
Dec 30, 2025
We loved our rickshaw experience! - 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!
Review provided by Viator
Cheryl_s
Dec 28, 2025
Ebisu Rickshaw Tour: A Perfect Introduction to Kyoto - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Shanshan_p
Nov 28, 2025
Best way to see the old town - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Roxanne_w
Nov 23, 2025
Had such a wonderful time - 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.
Review provided by Viator
William_w
Nov 15, 2025
Fabulous tour with Kanta - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Ronaldct5403wy
Nov 5, 2025
A Moving Experience in a Rickshaw - Intelligent and informative rickshaw operator. Was entertaining and also had to moved two heavy gentlemen up a very demanding course over an hours' time on a very hot and humid day .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph
Nov 3, 2025
Great experience just keep it to 45 minutes - We thoroughly enjoyed the hard work and conversation and explanation on our Rickshaw. The area is amazing and crowded and certainly the Rick show makes it more enjoyable. The only thing I would question against is when it’s near the end they offer for another $50 another 45 minutes. They take you to a spot park the rickshaw and you walk most of the 45 minutes into the bamboo forest and then they take you back. Felt the second part for the additional $50 was not worth it. Skip it in my opinion.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_s
Oct 21, 2025
Kyoto’s Past Comes Alive with Fumi - 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.
Review provided by Viator
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