Kyoto E-Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Golden Pavilion & Zen Temple

An unforgettable and beautifully personalised cycling tour with Kevin B

We booked Kyoto Fun’s E-Bike Tour of Kyoto’s West Gems and arrived at the meeting point, which was very easy to find, where we met our guide, Kevin B. Kevin explained that we were the only two people booked that day, so the experience would effectively become a private tour that could be adapted around our interests. From the outset, Kevin was warm, friendly and exceptionally attentive. He took the time to get to know us, asking what we enjoyed, which parts of Kyoto we had already explored and what had particularly appealed to us. Although we have visited Kyoto many times, we had never properly explored the north of the city. When we explained how much we enjoy temples, gardens, the countryside and being outdoors, Kevin suggested creating a different route featuring some of his own favourite places. It proved to be an inspired decision. We began by cycling beside the river to Kamigamo Shrine, a remarkable place that felt quite different from the other shrines we had visited. It was peaceful, spacious and largely free from crowds. A ceremony for a baby was taking place during our visit, which was a privilege to witness. Kevin was excellent at explaining what we were seeing and giving us the cultural context needed to appreciate it properly. Our next stop was Entsū-ji Temple, one of Kevin’s favourite temples. It appears quite unassuming from outside, but once inside we immediately understood why he loves it. Its beautiful Zen moss garden incorporates Mount Hiei as “borrowed scenery”, creating an extraordinary sense of depth and tranquillity. Because the unusually dry weather had been damaging the moss, the temple had installed an ingenious misting system across the garden. We were incredibly fortunate to see the elderly monk switch it on. As the mist drifted over the moss and Mount Hiei appeared through the haze beyond, it felt as though the entire garden were floating on a cloud. It was magical and unlike anything we had ever experienced. The monk’s pride, joy and excitement made the moment even more special. Photographs simply cannot capture how beautiful it was. For lunch, Kevin recommended Takaragaike Café Garden, close to Takaragaike Pond. The owner was extremely welcoming, the choice and quality of food were excellent, and the setting was delightful. Afterwards, we cycled around the beautiful surrounding park before continuing our tour. We then visited Renge-ji, a secluded old temple that we would almost certainly never have found on our own. Its peaceful grounds, moss-covered landscape, pond and historic buildings were exquisite. It was precisely the kind of quiet, deeply atmospheric place we had hoped to discover. Our final major visit was Manshu-in Monzeki, an historic temple with outstanding buildings and magnificent gardens. Its hand-painted screens, golden mikoshi and carefully composed garden—with a remarkable 400-year-old pine tree set on an island of raked gravel—were unforgettable. It is a truly beautiful place and absolutely worth seeking out. Kevin’s knowledge throughout the day was exceptional—not only extensive, but broad, thoughtful and communicated with real enthusiasm. Having lived and worked in several countries, he brought a worldly and engaging perspective to everything we discussed. He also has a wonderful sense of humour and enjoyed gently teasing us about being British, always in the warmest possible spirit. By the end of the day, it felt less like being shown around by a guide and more like exploring Kyoto with a knowledgeable and generous friend. The route was beautifully paced, the cycling was a pleasure and the flexibility of the tour allowed us to experience a quieter and more personal side of Kyoto. Even after visiting the city many times, Kevin showed us places we would never have discovered independently and gave us a much deeper understanding of everything we saw. This was a genuine highlight of our trip to Japan. We cannot recommend Kyoto Fun, Kevin B or exploring Kyoto by bicycle highly enough. Thank you, Kevin, for such a wonderful day and for sharing your knowledge, humour and favourite temples with us. It is an experience we will remember for a very long time.

via Tripadvisor

Terrible Customer Service

Exceedingly disappointed with this tour. We registered, received a confirmation notice, and showed up twenty minutes early to the meeting point. We waited, and waited, and I attempted to contact the tour operator using the phone number posted on the Viator web page as well as one I found on the internet…neither number worked. I re-confirmed that we were in the correct meeting location from the info supplied in my registration. Finally, thirty minutes after the tour was supposed to start, we opted to leave. The tour time was supposed to be 1:00pm—which meant we wasted a good part of the day waiting for the tour, and then it was too late in the day to make other arrangements. I’ve filed a claim for a refund, and would not recommend this company for those looking for a tour company in Kyoto.

via Viator

Best Kyoto tour on 2 wheels (with fine coffee)

A fabulous, thoughtful, fun, and highly educational tour graciously delivered by Craig an English professor raised in Australia and now a Kyoto resident for 15 years. He provided an intimate bike tour for 3 of us along the main, terraced Kamo river in Kyoto, pointing out key land markers, urban changes and local activities along its banks. Remarkably, Craig taught us the influences of Shintoism, Buddhism on local shrines and temples, explained their impact on modern Japanese culture and introduced us to the concept of Zen. Craig’s comfort on a bike, intimate knowledge of beautiful Kyoto back streets, attention to our interests and curiosity, passion for finely brewed coffee (shared with us on a rest stop) and love of teaching made this tour shine.

Response from the operator: Thanks so much for your lovely review—it truly means a lot!

via Viator

Memorable tour

Great way to see Kyoto. Philippe, our guide, made it interesting and fun for all of us. Love the history he provided. This stands out as a memorable tour for us. Not only did we see the usual tourist spots but we also biked through local residential areas of Kyoto. I highly recommend this tour!

via Viator

Excellent Kyoto's Zen Gardens Bike Tour with Niall

Niall provided us with one of the top highlights of our entire trip. The bike ride tour of Kyoto's Zen Gardens was totally enjoyable and a great way to experience a part of Kyoto. I highly recommend this tour for anyone wishing to visit the popular sites as well as get a glimpse of many traditional neighborhoods in between. Would definitely book a tour again with Niall on my next trip to Kyoto.

via Viator