Road Bike Rental Japan

‘No one size fits all’ is our thought behind the Osaka and Beyond Cycling Tour. We have several amazing routes that we love to share with cyclists wanting to escape Osaka city, but some are more challenging than others, so we offer a customizable tour option to suit differing levels of riders. Our ‘go-to’ option is a ride up to the impressive Minoh Falls and stunning Katsuoji Temple to enjoy the fun rolling hills of Minoh Park.

If climbing and fast descents are not your thing, a ride up the Yodo River to the scenic district of Arashiyama in Kyoto is a wonderful alternative.

The Osaka and Beyond Cycling Tour is not limited to these options, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Starting from RBRJ Kyoto, we make our way over to Fushimi Inari for an optional stop along the route to Tofuku-ji. At Tofuku-ji, we have the option to walk through the grounds or cycle around the impressive walls before joining the iconic and beloved Kamo River. Cycling north along the riverbank, you’ll be absorbed in the atmosphere of Kyoto.

We’ll exit the Kamo River path near Reisen Dori and pass by the visually striking Heian-Jingu Shinto Shrine as we make our way to the majestic and serene Nanzen-ji, tucked in the forested foothills of Higashiyama mountain. We’ll park the bikes and walk around the spiritual Nanzen-ji complex.

After Nanzen-ji, there is a small climb before descending into the often overlooked district of Yamashina. In Yamashina, we pick up the calming Yamashina River to head south, looping back to RRBJ Kyoto via the atmospheric district of Chushojima, renowned for its sake brewing and charming canal.

Cycling the southern part of Lake Biwa reveals a stunning interplay of water and mountains—capturing the essence of Japan’s natural beauty. Starting and finishing at RBRJ (Lake Biwa), this 55 km loop blends sections of the official Biwaichi cycling route with detours into the quiet farmlands and rolling hills of Shiga. It’s a rewarding half-day ride best suited for experienced cyclists looking to explore beyond the beaten path.

The ride starts on the lovely Seta River outside of RBRJ Lake Biwa. You’ll immediately cross the Seta no Karahashi, a historic bridge with deep cultural significance, before following the scenic shoreline of Lake Biwa to the Lake Biwa Museum.

After the museum, you’ll make your way along the Melon Kaido before reaching the Lake Biwa Cyclists’ Sanctuary monument, and the Lake Biwa Ohashi. The observatory on the bridge offers breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Biwa and the surrounding mountains, making it a memorable highlight of any Biwaichi journey.

On the west side of the lake, we begin climbing into the hills above Sakamoto, and follow the scenic mountain road passing by to Saikyo-ji, Hiyoshi Taisha and further along Omi Jingu Shrine before returning to RBRJ along the Lake Biwa shoreline.

The ride starts on the lovely Oo River outside of RBRJ at Kema Sakuranomiya Park before following the riverside cycle path up to the Kema lock gate on the Yodo River. The riverside cycle paths of the Oo River and Yodo Rivers give the rider a chance to get used to riding in Osaka without any traffic around.

After a nice 5 5-kilometre stretch along the Yodo River, we cross over to the North side of the Yodo River, taking in the impressive views of both the river and Osaka from the Sugihara Johoku Bridge. (FYI: The Yodo River and its cycle path can lead cyclists all the way up to Kyoto and beyond.)

As we make our way back along the north side of the Yodo River, we take in a nice panoramic view of the forever-changing cityscape of Osaka’s commercial and business hub, Umeda. The standout landmark here is the Umeda Sky building.

Leaving the Yodo River, we weave our way across to Universal Studios and the first of our mini ferry rides. Before boarding, you’ll have a great view of the big Ferris wheel at Tempozan and the Osaka Aquarium. Not so easy to see is Japan’s smallest mountain, Mount Tenpo.

From RBRJ Kyoto, we make our way over the Katsura River and head north along the smooth cycle path towards the popular district of Arashiyama. Crossing the Toketsukyo Bridge, we have to navigate our way carefully through the crowds before reaching the impressive Seiryōji Temple Niomon Gate.

From here we run along the foothills of Ukyo, passing the peaceful Hirosawa Pond before a left turn onto Yamagoe-dori. A quick ascent and descent over the hill gets the heart rate up nicely and mentally ready for the real climbing to begin. With a left turn onto Route 162, we start a progressive climb (4-6%) upto Takao where a fun descent through the village awaits. Eventually, we reach the serene village of Nakagawa.

Beyond Nakagawa, we ride through the tranquil forest of Kumogahatanakahatacho before another fun descent along the Kamo River as we make our way over the charming rural town of Ohara.

From Ohara, we drop back into Kyoto on route 367 and back onto the Kamo River as we make our back to RBRJ Kyoto.