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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for 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.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

217 verified traveler reviews

5 ★208

4 ★5

3 ★3

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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.

Can children ride in the rickshaw?

Children 5 years and under can sit on an adult's lap, with one child per adult. Up to two young children can ride with two adults. Children 6 and over are charged at adult rates and need their own seat or a separate rickshaw.

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.