Kyoto Higashiyama Rickshaw Tour: Historic Districts by Jinrikisha

Travel Kyoto's oldest streets in a rickshaw, not on foot.

A rickshaw tour through Kyoto's Higashiyama district pairs a traditional jinrikisha ride with a local English-speaking guide who navigates wooden geisha houses, temple gardens and shrine grounds. The route is customizable and runs 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on your choice. A maximum of two adults ride per rickshaw, and children under 5 can sit on an adult's lap.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rickshaw tour of Higashiyama area

• Ride authentic Japanese rickshaw
• Explore wooden buildings and stone alleys
• Pass by Higashiyama tour operator
• See landmark of Higashiyama
• Visit Geisha district and wooden houses
• Cross small bridge in traditional district
• View beautiful temple with garden
• Pass impressive temple Chion-in
• Pass large Yasaka Shrine in Gion
• Travel on old cobblestone street

The experience

The rickshaw itself is the transport and the experience at once. You sit in a two-seat carriage pulled by a guide who knows the back alleys of Higashiyama: the geisha district where wooden townhouses line narrow cobblestone streets. The route passes Yasaka Shrine, Chion-in temple and Shoren-in Temple with its garden, though not every landmark fits into the shorter tour options, so discussing your interests with the guide beforehand shapes what you actually see.

A local English-speaking guide pulls the rickshaw and narrates as you move through the district. The pace is slow enough to notice details (the architecture, the way light falls on stone), and the guide can adjust the route based on what interests you. Rickshaws run rain or shine, and the tour operates from the Higashiyama branch only. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, the delay comes out of your tour time.

Each rickshaw holds a maximum of two adults, though at 74 centimeters wide, booking separate rickshaws for each passenger is sometimes more comfortable. Children 5 and under sit on an adult's lap (one child per adult), and up to two young children can ride with two adults. The tour is wheelchair and stroller-friendly, though it does not include the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and finishing at a location other than the rickshaw stand may incur an additional drop-off fee.

What’s included

• Rickshaw ride through Higashiyama.
• local English-speaking guide.
• access to Yasaka Shrine, Chion-in and Shoren-in Temple.
• customizable route based on your interests and tour duration.

Options for this experience

7 options

Higashiyama: 30 minUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Higashiyama, lasting 30 minutes

Higashiyama: 45 minUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Higashiyama, lasting 45 minutes

Higashiyama: 70 minUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Higashiyama, lasting 1 hour 10 minutes

See 4 more options

Higashiyama: 90 minUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Higashiyama, lasting 1 hour 30 minutes

Higashiyama: 120 minUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Higashiyama, lasting 2 hours

Higashiyama: 150 minUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Higashiyama, lasting 2 hours 30 minutes

Higashiyama: 180 minUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Higashiyama, lasting 3 hours

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ebisuya

Is this one for you?Glide through Higashiyama's wooden houses and stone alleys from your rickshaw seat while a local guide reveals the stories behind Kyoto's most historic streets.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What temples and shrines does the Kyoto rickshaw tour actually visit?

The route includes Yasaka Shrine in the Gion area, Chion-in temple and Shoren-in Temple, which has a garden. Not all landmarks fit into the shorter tour options, so confirm with your guide which stops work for your chosen duration.

How long does a Kyoto Higashiyama rickshaw tour take?

Tours range from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on which option you book. Shorter tours may not cover every landmark on the full itinerary, so choose based on how much time you want to spend in the district.

How many people fit in one rickshaw?

A maximum of two adults can ride in one rickshaw, which is 74 centimeters wide. For passengers of larger size or for more comfort, booking individual rickshaws is recommended, though availability depends on advance booking.

What happens if I arrive late to my Kyoto rickshaw tour?

If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, the delay is deducted from your tour duration, and a delay of 10 minutes or more results in automatic cancellation. Any time changes requested after 5pm the day before the tour cannot be accommodated.

Does the rickshaw tour include the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest?

No, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is not included in this tour. The rickshaw operates in the Higashiyama district only and does not extend to Arashiyama.