Tokyo: Bike Tour Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine

Why cycling through Tokyo reveals what the trains hide

You ride a bike through central Tokyo hitting Meiji Shrine, a historic cemetery, Roppongi, Zojo-ji Temple, and the Imperial Palace moat, with a lunch break and Tokyo Bay views included. The small-group pace means the guide adjusts to your speed, and you see the neighborhoods between the landmarks instead of just the landmarks themselves.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Meiji Shrine30m · entry included
2. Roppongi15m · entry included
3. Zojo-ji Temple20m · entry included
4. Tokyo Imperial Palace30m

Cycling tour of Tokyo landmarks

• Visit Meiji Shrine grounds
• Explore famous cemetery
• Shop and relax in Roppongi
• See Zojo-ji Temple and Tokyo Tower
• Lunch and view Tokyo Bay at Siodome
• Cycle around Tokyo Imperial Palace moat
• Return to Shinjuku

The experience

What draws you to a bike tour instead of just taking the subway? Maybe it's the feeling that you're moving at the speed of the place itself, not rushing past it. A guided bike tour in Tokyo lets you sit at that in-between pace: slow enough to notice the side streets, the way light falls on the moat around the Imperial Palace, the quiet of a cemetery tucked between office towers. You cover real distance without the noise and crowds of the train lines. The guide keeps the group small, which means stops happen when someone needs them, not on a schedule.

The route strings together the landmarks most visitors want to see, but you get there by pedaling through the neighborhoods that connect them. You start at Meiji Shrine, the largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo, and spend about 40 minutes walking the grounds. If the timing works out, you might catch a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony happening there. From there it's a ride through the city to a historic cemetery where graves of both Japanese and Western figures sit among the trees, then into Roppongi, the mega-complex of shops and cafes where you can grab a coffee or just watch the crowd move through. Zojo-ji Temple comes next, a Buddhist temple and the best vantage point for photographing Tokyo Tower. The route loops you through Siodome, Tokyo's largest modern redevelopment zone, where you'll stop for lunch and have the option to ride up a building for views over Tokyo Bay.

The whole day circles back toward the Imperial Palace, where you'll cycle partway around the moat before heading back to Shinjuku. It's not a race. The pace is designed so you're not gasping for breath, and the guide watches to make sure everyone's comfortable. You need a moderate level of fitness to do this, and you should be okay on a bike for several hours, but it's not a training ride. What you get is the chance to move through Tokyo like someone who lives there, not someone passing through.

What’s included

Your day includes bicycle use, a guided route through central Tokyo, approximately 40 minutes at Meiji Shrine with the chance to see the shrine grounds and possibly a traditional wedding ceremony, stops at a historic cemetery, Roppongi shopping complex, Zojo-ji Temple, and Siodome where you'll have a lunch break and can view Tokyo Bay from a building. The route finishes with a ride around the Imperial Palace moat before returning to Shinjuku.

Options for this experience

2 options

Half-day tour (3.5 hours)Guide in English · 09:00 and 13:00Half-day tour covering Meiji Shrine, Aoyama Cemetery, the Imperial Palace and Akasaka Palace, about 20 km (12.5 miles). The bikes are 21-speed street mountain bikes, suitable for riders 130 cm (4 ft 4 in) tall or taller.

Tour lasting a full day (6 hours)Guide in English · 09:00Lasts 6 hours and begins at 9:00 am in Shinjuku. On this full-day outing we will visit Meiji Shrine, Aoyama Cemetery, Roppongi Hills, Zojyo-ji Temple, Siodome and the Imperial Palace. The bikes are 21-speed street mountain bikes, suitable for riders 135 cm (4 ft 5 in) tall or taller.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tokyo Bike Tour (Small group cycling tour)

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Tokyo's major sights without the subway crowds and have the fitness for a few hours of steady riding. The small-group format and guide's attention to pace is what makes it possible to move through the city at a speed where you actually notice it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years). Under 10: they can't be included in the booking.

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.

How long is the Tokyo bike tour?

The tour is a half-day experience covering multiple stops from Meiji Shrine through to the Imperial Palace area, with a lunch break built in.

What's included in the bike tour?

Bicycle use is included. You'll also have about 40 minutes to walk the Meiji Shrine grounds, lunch time in Siodome, and the option to view Tokyo Bay from a building there.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

You need at least a moderate level of fitness and should be comfortable riding a bike for several hours. The pace is steady but not intense, and the guide keeps the group together.

What if I'm not fit enough for cycling?

Public transportation options are available nearby if you need to skip sections or take a break from riding.

Can I see Tokyo Tower on this tour?

Yes, Zojo-ji Temple is the best spot on the route to view and photograph Tokyo Tower.

Do I need to bring my own bike?

No, a bicycle is provided as part of the tour.