The 15 Rickshaw Tours in Japan That Earn the Fare

1.Tokyo Asakusa Rickshaw Tour

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

Meet your English or Japanese-speaking rickshaw guide near Asakusa Station and explore old Tokyo by pedal power. Choose from 30 minutes to three hours, with stops that may include Ushijima Shrine, Imado Shrine, Sensoji, Sumida Park, and Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden. Your guide can adjust the route to your interests and finish nearby.

“This is an amazing way to see Asakusa in a short amount of time and so much fun! Our guide, Koko, was wonderful. It was wildly impressive how much stamina he and his peers have to carry people through the streets on a rickshaw. We became very friendly and quiRead more”

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2.Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest

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

Meet your local English or Japanese speaking guide near Togetsu-kyo Bridge for a private rickshaw ride through Arashiyama. Choose 45 minutes or up to 3 hours 10 minutes, with bamboo paths, Nonomiya Shrine, quiet lanes, temples, gardens, and photo stops. Guides such as Koki, Shin, Aki, and Lucas are known for lively explanations and excellent pictures.

“The guide was very knowledgeable and super friendly. He made it a lovely experience for my wife and I. We went in the morning on New Years day. It was a great experience!”

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3.Kyoto Arashiyama Rickshaw Tour with Bamboo Forest

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

Your private Ebisuya guide pulls you through Arashiyama by rickshaw, then leads you on foot into the bamboo grove. Expect photo stops, Nonomiya Shrine, local stories, and guides such as Ocean, Yoshi, Aki, or Hikaru, depending on the day. Choose a one or two-hour route, and start early for lighter crowds.

“Very nice tour and a nice way to experience the Bamboo Forest. But it also brings you to an old village full of character and charm. Our rickshaw guide was Kazuma very friendly and knowledgeable, he spoke English perfectly.”

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4.Kyoto Rickshaw Tour

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

Take a private Ebisuya rickshaw tour through Kyoto’s Higashiyama and Gion districts. Your English-speaking driver guides you past wooden townhouses, geisha streets, temples, shrines, bridges, and old stone lanes. Choose 30 minutes to 3 hours, ask for a custom route, and enjoy a comfortable introduction to old Kyoto without walking every step.

“Very easy and comfortable ride. Our Guide Motu was excellent and also knowledgeable. I would highly recommend him.”

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5.Asakusa Sightseeing Tour by Rickshaw

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 195 reviews · 30 - 190 minutes · from $35 per person

Let an English or Japanese speaking guide pull you through Asakusa in a private rickshaw. You will see Senso-ji and Asakusa Shrine, Denpoin Street, Rokku, Sumida Park, and quieter temple corners. Guides such as Masa, Kazu, Taku, and Shima are praised for strong local knowledge, humor, and excellent photos. Choose from 30 minutes to about 3 hours.

“We had a fantastic, fun time, our guides Yukie and Hitomi were brilliant. We saw hidden gems of Tokyo. Would highly recommend.”

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6.Private Rickshaw Tour of Gion and Higashiyama Area

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

Meet your guide near Kodaiji Temple and ride through Higashiyama and Gion in a private rickshaw. Guides such as Fumi, Moto, Shiro, and Daichi explain Kyoto’s customs, temples, wooden townhouses, and geisha districts while stopping for photos. Choose a 45-minute introduction or a longer route tailored to your interests.

“We had a wonderful experience. Msei was a great and safe driver. He showed and told us all about the Gion area and stopped for great photos. It was a great way to finish our Kyoto vacation. Highly recommended!”

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7.Otaru Rickshaw Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · from $42 per person

Ride through Otaru with a local rickshaw guide, passing the canal, old rail tracks, narrow lanes, historic warehouses, and the marina. Choose 30 minutes to 2 hours, with guides such as Koto and Kuma available subject to language and schedule. The private ride costs $42.90 per person and returns to the central bridge meeting point.

“What a fabulous way to see downtown Otaru and hear about its history while also experiencing this mode of transportation which was invented in Japan. Our guide was friendly and strong and stopped along the way to share the history of what we were seeing. I was so plRead more”

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8.Kamakura Rickshaw Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $43 per person

Take a private rickshaw ride through Kamakura with a local driver-guide who shares history, customs, seasonal details, and lesser-known sights. Choose a 30-minute to 2-hour route, with possible stops at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Zeniarai Benten, and a bamboo forest. The ride begins and usually ends near Kamakura’s main shrine area.

“Great way to see Kamakura! Excellent driver/guides. Fun for all our party! :”

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9.Asakusa, Tokyo: Rickshaw Experience and Highlights Walking tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · from $35 per person

Spend about three and a half hours exploring Asakusa with a local guide, then take a 20-minute rickshaw ride through the district if you choose that option. You’ll see Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Senso-ji, Hanayashiki Street, Nishi Sando, and Hoppy Street. The tour accepts up to eight people and ends where it begins.

“Yoko was a fantastic guide. She was very knowledgeable and tailored the tour to our needs. She provided information on other things to do in Tokyo.”

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10.Miyajima: Private Rickshaw Tour to Itsukushima Shrine

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

Meet your rickshaw outside Miyajima Ferry Terminal for a private ride through old streets, the waterfront, and Itsukushima Shrine. Choose a short town tour or extend your route to Daishoin Temple, Senjokaku Shrine, parks, and seaside paths. Guides such as Kim, Jose, and Shinemasa are praised for friendly storytelling and photo help. Japanese is the stated tour language.

“We had such a friendly lovely guide who provided more information than we expected. His English was pretty good and when he couldn't describe what he wanted to he used Google translate. We had an amazing experience!”

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11.Kurashiki Rickshaw Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $43 per person

Ride through Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter with an Ebisuya driver-guide. Choose 30 minutes to 2 hours, set a preferred start time between 9:30am and 5:30pm, and discuss your route and finish point with the guide. English-speaking guides may include Sho, Kubo, or Ishimatsu, subject to availability.

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12.[60 minutes] Rickshaw tour around Asakusa [Complete Asakusa tour/power spots]

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $66 per person

Set out from Asakusa Town Hotel near Kaminarimon for a 70-minute rickshaw ride through Asakusa. Your trained local puller may visit Sensoji-area sights, a Shinto shrine, Buddhist temple, old streets, and quieter routes away from the crowds. Guides including Yuma, Yoshi, Yu, Koki, and Gian are praised for clear explanations, photos, humor, and language skills. You can also request places to visit.

“This was a very fun experience, Koki was our guide & driver & he was fabulous. He showed us several temples & took lots of great pictures of us & gave some insights on Japanese culture. It was a lot of fun! Highly recommend!”

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13.[30 minutes] Rickshaw tour around Asakusa [History, sightseeing, Tokyo Skytree]

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $33 per person Best value

Meet your shafu at Asakusa Town Hotel for a 30-minute ride through Asakusa. You will see Tokyo Skytree, hear stories about local sights and Edo-era roots, and stop for photos. Guides such as Ike, Kiyo, Koki, and Rikoh have been praised for friendly service, careful driving, and help in rainy weather.

“The day was raining and we had no idea what to expect. Koki was awesome. They took so much care to provide blankets and a tarp over our legs so we would not get wet. Koki was soaked but had a smile the whole time and gave us some great insights of the places he took us. Would highly recommend.”

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14.Private Miyajima Rickshaw Tour Including Itsukushima Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $43 per person

You’ll explore Miyajima with a local rickshaw driver-guide, traveling through traditional lanes and scenic spots near Itsukushima Shrine. Longer tours can include entry to the shrine, while shorter rides focus on the island’s streets, Momijidani Park, and the famous red torii gate. Choose your ride length, departure time, and finishing point.

“Hama’ our ‘rickshaw boy’ is a lovely, friendly fellow who is enormously strong. His English is good and he entertains with insights and humour. Totally recommend this good-value experience.”

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15.Hot Spring Capital of Yufuin Rickshaw Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $43 per person

This private Ebisuya rickshaw ride begins near Yufuin Station and may finish at Kinrin Lake or another agreed location. Your driver-guide takes you beyond the busy main route to places such as Kozenin, Unagihime Shrine, and Bussanji, explaining local stories and taking photos along the way. Tours last from 30 minutes to about two hours, depending on the option selected.

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