Tokyo downtown bicycle tour Tokyo Backstreets Bike Tour

4.9 (124 reviews) 4 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

124 reviews

4.9

Sanyabori park — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Backstreets in Tokyo — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

It's Not Just About the Tourist Spots!

The Charm of Tokyo's Back Alleys!

The tour starts in Hikifune, a traditional working-class neighborhood in Tokyo. It's close to Asakusa and the Tokyo Skytree, making it easily accessible.

From March through April, the area around the route is in full bloom with cherry blossoms. The tour includes several spots where you'll ride right beneath these blossoms.

Additionally, between each stop, we'll deliberately take back alleys rather than major thoroughfares. While Tokyo's streets are often said to be more complex and confusing than those of other cities, let a guide who knows this area well lead you into the "maze" unique to the old downtown.

ご希望でしたら、二人乗りタンデム自転車に乗ることもできます。 Please make a reservation in advance.

Mountain Bike Tours Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Historical Tours Culinary Tours City Tours Bike Tours Small Group

At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 6 people
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: Japanese, English
Operated by: 東京下町自転車ツアー Tokyo Backstreets Bike Tour

Ages: Children (6–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–60 years) · Seniors (61–77 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: 1 tandem bike is available by prior request.
Included: Helmets
Included: Bicycle use: Use of bicycle
Included: Sweets and snacks at local traditional sweets shops

Itinerary

Stop 1

10 min

Sakuramochi, a Cherry Cake, is one of the most famous Japanese traditional sweets, which is wrapped in a salt-pickled cherry leaf, filled with red bean paste. They say, this shop founded the first Sakuramochi in Edo era. Why it is wrapped with salt-pickled leaf? Probably, somebody looked to a lot of leaves on ground, fallen from cherry blossom trees, and thought to use them for some food.

*On Monday, we visit another Japanese sweet shop.
Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden

20 min

This temple is a part of Sensoji, founded in 595.

There are many images of a “daikon (Japanese radish)” and a pouch in the temple.The daikon represents our minds trapped in deep ignorance, emanating poison of anger, but by offering a daikon to temple, that poison will be purged from our body and soul. The pouch is a symbol of treasure, and it represents the gift of prosperity in business.

There is a beautiful garden, which is authentic Japanese style, in the temple.

You can ride a small transportation (like a train) to go to the main building instead of walking up stairs.
Imado Shrine

15 min

Founded in 1063, this shrine is now a “Power spot”, that is popular for persons who want lovers or marriage partners. (Power Spot = Sacred place)

・ Beckoning Cat, Fortune Cat

They say, the first beckoning image was found in this shrine. We Japanese believe that beckoning cats brings great fortune, Such as business prosperity, family happiness. Cat ’s left paw brings many customers. Right paw brings money.
Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center ( Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts Museum)

20 min

This is a museum exhibiting a lot of Japanese traditional handicrfts.

You can see how wonderful our craftsmanship is.
Senso-ji Temple

20 min

Cycling in front of the Kaminarimon gate, Sensoji (Asakusa) temple . Leave bikes, and enjoy walking inside the temple.
Kyu Yasuda Garden

20 min

Walking in the Japanese traditional garden, built in the 17th century.
Ryogoku Kokugikan

5 min

Cycling in front of the Ryogoku Sumo stadium. We may have a time to take pictures.
Oyokogawa Water Park

30 min

Cycling through the park towards the Tokyo Skytree.
Tokyo Skytree

10 min

Cycling under the tower.
Kyojima Minami Park

30 min

Old fashioned shopping malls where you can see the daily lives of Japanese.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

About 3 minutes walk from Hikifune railway station on Tobu skytree line.

About 5 minutes walk from Keisei Hikifune railway station on Keisei line.

Find the board "Tokyo Backstreets Bike Tour" on the ground floor, and come to the 2nd floor.

Please come there 10 minutes before your starting time.

End point

About 3 minutes walk from Hikifune railway station on Tobu skytree line.

About 5 minutes walk from Keisei Hikifune railway station on Keisei line.

Find the board "Tokyo Backstreets Bike Tour" on the ground floor, and come to the 2nd floor.

Please come there 10 minutes before your starting time.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Our rental bikes are folding bikes with 14-20 inch, suitable for people between 140 - 180 cm tall. Please inform priorly if you are over 180cm.
If you wish to cycle with a tandem bike, please inform us 3 days before the day you booked.