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.
TOKYO: YOYOGI
Yoyogi Park rents out kids bikes by the hour for use inside the park at Yoyogi Cycling Centre between 9am-4pm.
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.
ENOSHIMA
Linkage Cycling rent adult bikes and kids bike for children 7 years and older.
LAKE YAMANAKA (YAMANAKAKO)
Yamanakako Drive Centre have bike rental for adult and kid sized bikes. It’s possible to rent by the hour, half day or day.
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.
NARA
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.
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.
