8 Rickshaw Rides Tours in Japan That Earn the Train Fare

1.Tokyo Asakusa Rickshaw Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,375 reviews · from $42Our pick

Ride through Asakusa with a local English or Japanese-speaking driver, choosing a route that fits your interests. Your 30-minute to 3-hour outing may include Ushijima Shrine, Imado Shrine, Sensoji, retro entertainment streets, Sumida Park, and Skytree views. Guides such as Koko, Kei, Micchy, and Taisei are noted for warm service, humor, and strong local knowledge.

“Wonderful way to see and know places in Asakusa ! Great photo opportunities! We had great time . Koko our Rickshaw driver is excellent, he made it fun and safe he is amazing! We had great time we extended our time .”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

2.Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 432 reviews · 45 - 190 minutes · from $51

Meet your guide at or near Togetsu-kyo Bridge for a private rickshaw ride through Arashiyama. Choose 45, 70, 130, or 190 minutes. Your guide takes you through the bamboo forest’s special rickshaw path, Nonomiya Shrine, quiet backstreets, temples, gardens, and photo stops. Guides such as Aki, Koki, Shin, and Lucas are known for strong English and excellent photos.

“My family received great attention from Yoshi and Yuji. Before the tour they asked us what we would like to see, giving us different options to choose from. Our guides made sure we had a special time while on the rickshaw tour. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and we learned a lot from them about local history and culture. Our guides were attentive and polite. They spoke very good English and had excellent sense of humour.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

3.Kyoto Arashiyama Rickshaw Tour with Bamboo Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 354 reviews · from $86

This private Ebisuya tour takes you by rickshaw through Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, past Nonomiya Shrine, and to a quiet photo stop before a short walk into the forest. Guides such as Ocean, Yoshi, Hikaru, and Shota are praised for clear English, local stories, and excellent phone photography. Choose a 1 or 2-hour route, and book early morning for fewer people.

“All we can say is wow, it was fantastic. Highly recommend, it was a very hot day and we were running late but the rickshaw company were great. We had Yoshi and he was a very friendly and well informed young man, with incredible fitness. We instantly connected with him and we enjoyed every moment of this tour. If your thinkin* about it,mit is totally worth it, so happy we did.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

4.Kyoto Rickshaw Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 210 reviews · from $39

Sit back in an authentic rickshaw and explore Kyoto’s Higashiyama and Gion districts with an English-speaking driver-guide. Depending on your booking, you may pass wooden townhouses, geisha streets, Yasaka Shrine, temples, gardens, and old stone lanes. Guides such as Fumi, Kai, Yoshi, and Kanta are known for lively explanations and excellent photos. Choose from 30 minutes to 3 hours, with routes adjusted to your interests.

“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.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

5.Asakusa Sightseeing Tour by Rickshaw

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 195 reviews · 30 - 190 minutes · from $35Best value

Ride through Asakusa in a private rickshaw with an English or Japanese-speaking guide. You’ll pass Sensoji, Asakusa Shrine, Sumida Park, Hanakawado, Rokku, Tanuki-doori, and Denpoin Street. Guides such as Masa, Kazu, Shima, and Taku add local stories, photo stops, and useful tips. Choose from 30 to 190 minutes.

“Nothing to improve! It was an awesome experience. Taku was very kind and a brilliant guide through the historic part of Tokyo. I would highly recommend this activity.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

6.Private Rickshaw Tour of Gion and Higashiyama Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 45 - 130 minutes · from $51

Meet your English or Japanese-speaking guide near Kodaiji Temple and see Higashiyama and Gion from a private rickshaw. Guides such as Moto, Fumi, Shiro, Daichi, and Kai are known for lively explanations and creative photos. Choose a short introduction or a longer route through temples, willow-lined streets, wooden townhouses, and geisha districts.

“Our guide was Daichi and was wonderful we thoroughly enjoyed this short tour and wished we had booked a longer tour, high recommended Thank you”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

7.Miyajima: Private Rickshaw Tour to Itsukushima Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 45 reviews · 45 - 190 minutes · from $51

Meet your Japanese-speaking rickshaw guide outside Miyajima Ferry Terminal for a private ride through old streets, waterfront lanes, and shrine grounds. Choose a 45 to 190-minute route, with longer options visiting Daishoin Temple, Senjokaku Shrine, and scenic seaside paths. Guides such as Kim, Jose, and Shinemasa are praised for friendly storytelling and photos.

“We had an incredible experience with Jose on Miyajima Island. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the tour very fun and insightful. His storytelling brought the island’s history and culture to life, and he went out of his way to show us hidden spots we would have otherwise missed. The ride itself was comfortable and beautifully scenic. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Miyajima!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

8.Kyoto Sagano Insider: Rickshaw and Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $228

This 3-hour-10-minute private tour pairs a rickshaw ride through Arashiyama’s bamboo forest with walks through old lanes, a machiya house, and Otagi Nenbutsu-ji. Your English or Japanese-speaking guide handles the route, shares local stories, and takes photos. Guides may include Takumi, Atsu, Shota, Yuya, or Yoshii, depending on availability.

“The rickshaw ride was a lot of fun. Our driver and guide, Takumi, was awesome. He spoke great English and was informative and charming. We enjoyed the ride very much.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →