Many hotels in Japan are now offering bike rentals as an option for guests.
This is so fabulous but there are rarely options for those with children. So I wanted to make a little list of rental options in Japan for those who want to do a little bit of exploring by bike but want to include their whole family in their adventures.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
If you plan on using a child seat attachment on an adult bike, it is best to know your child’s weight in kilograms first. I mention it in my What to Pack blog post but there are several good reasons to know your child’s height and weight in centimetres and kilograms ahead of travelling to Japan.
Please note that tandem bikes are almost impossible to find in Japan (as in two rider bikes) and they are illegal to use on roads and sidewalks in many parts of Japan anyway.
TOKYO: SETAGAYA
It is possible to rent child sized bike at Komazawa Olympic Park and ride around the “chiririn” (little kids bike course.). Some bikes also have training wheels. Bikes are rented by the hour and it costs between 50 yen -100 yen per hour.
TOKYO: YOYOGI PARK
Did you know that you can now rent a bike in Yoyogi Park (including kids bikes, tandem bikes and parent & child mamachari electric bikes in Yoyogi Park with prices starting at 100 yen? (they accept most major credit cards, including Diners Club and American Express!)
To rent bikes as a family in Yoyogi Park, put “Yoyogi Park Cycling Center” into google maps (also sometimes referred to as “Pedalico”) – closest station is Yoyogi Park Station Exit 4B but you can also walk from Harajuku easily. Helmet rental is also available. The smallest child sized bike is a 12 inch (for children 2-4 years) and the Parent Child bikes are for children up to
Please note that bikes can only be used within Yoyogi Park grounds. The Cycling Center in Yoyogi is open 9am-4:30pm and is closed on Mondays (and Tuesdays if Monday is a public holiday) and is also closed during the Japan New Year Period.)
ENOSHIMA
Linkage Cycling rent adult bikes and kids bike for children 7 years and older.
LAKE YAMANAKA (YAMANAKAKO) *For cycling around the Mt Fuji area with kids
Yamanakako Drive Centre have bike rental for adult and kid sized bikes. It’s possible to rent by the hour, half day or day.
LAKE KAWAGUCHI (KAWAGUCHIKO) *For cycling around the Mt Fuji area with kids
If you are looking to rent a bike with a baby seat in the back (for babies under 22kg, helmet included) at Kawaguchiko Station, I recommend checking out the Fujisanbike website here.
For bigger kids and teens, I also recommend Aloha Bike Rentals.
KYOTO
J-Cycle rent adult bikes and can also add a child seat attachment to the front or back. The J-Cycle website is in English. Please note that all daily cycle rental has to be returned by 5:30pm. J-Cycle also have an adult helmet rental option ( you will need to bring a child sized helmet from home or purchase one elsewhere.)
J Cycle also rent out kids bikes (22 inch).
There are many “J Cycle” branches around Kyoto so just google your closest option.
The Good Day Velo rent out bikes for adults in Kyoto. It is an additional 600 yen to add a child seat to an adult bike. Helmets are for user use, free of charge.
Kyoto Eco Trip rent out bikes but also can deliver bikes to your Kyoto hotel. It is possible to rent an adult bike with a child seat- that child must be either 15 kgs or 22 kgs to use the child seats. They also have a child’s bike for children taller than 125 cms.
They have Electric bikes with child seats and free child helmet. They provide maps and suggested routes too. Be sure to ask your hotel where is best to park your bike during your stay.
NARA
Nara Bicycle Rental have e-bikes for adults and kids. The shop is 2 mins walk from Exit 7 of Kintetsu Nara Station. Open 9am-5pm.
Asuka Bike Rental have 4 different rental shop locations in the Nara area. They have a 200 yen off coupon on their website homepage too.
Children bike sizes available are 18″, 20″ and 22″.
They also have bikes with rear child seats. They also rent out children’s helmets for no additional cost.
LAKE BIWA
Giant Store Bike Rental rent child sized and adult bikes. See here for the children’s bike options.
Also in the Lake Biwa area is a Rent-a-Cycle shop at Omihachiman Station – no reservations required as you just walk in at 9am. They rent out the bikes with a child seat too.
TAKAYAMA
Ryokan Asunaro, Takayama
Takayama is the most beautiful town in countryside Japan and I love visiting Takayama with kids. This ryokan allows guests to borrow bicycles (for adults and kids 12+ only) while staying with them.
MATSUE CASTLE
Giant Store Bike Rental Matsue rent child sized and adult bikes.
NAOSHIMA ISLAND
It is possible to rent bikes with a child’s seat attached at the Main Port of Naoshima. More details in the Naoshima with kids blog post here.
NISEKO, FURANO & HAKUBA
Rhythm Japan rent out a range of bikes – including bikes for kids.
*Please note that you will need to use google maps to check where you can and can’t park bikes in Japan (if your bike gets removed/towed it is a laborious administrative process to get it back – especially if you don’t speak Japanese.)
Children under 12 must wear helmets – in accordance with Japanese law.
Please note that cyclists in japan risk up to 6 months in jail or be fined up to 100,000 yen for riding while under the influence of alcohol or if riding while using a phone.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
