Tour Tokyo on Two Wheels

August 15, 2008

Why not rent a bike and get some exercise while taking in all the great sights that Tokyo has to offer? Next to the train, cycling is the most common way to get around the city and it can be a lot of fun. Folding bicycles with carrying cases can be rented through Coolbike for Y2,000 (around US $20) per day via an online reservation system in English, or in person at their shop.

Coolbike rentals can be taken on trains and busses around the city (when collapsed and in their carrying case) so you can take your bike pretty much anywhere! Recommended bike tours of Tokyo include the Odaiba course, Roppongi/Akasaka Course, and the Imperial Palace Course.

Do you want to have a bike delivered to your hotel or another location in the city? Coolbike offers a delivery service for an additional charge of Y2,500 (around US $25) and will pick the bike up when your rental period is complete. Children under 13 need to be accompanied by an adult and all renters must be taller than 145 cm (approximately 5 feet). To avoid a delivery charge pick up your bike Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:30AM to 6PM, at the Coolbike shop near Iidabashi Station in central Tokyo.

Cycle Tokyo! offers additional bicycle friendly routes including Asakusa/Aoyama, Tsukishima/Ginza, Arakawa and a gourmet tour that encourages you to check out some of Tokyo’s culinary offerings. If you are intimidated by the congestion and traffic in the city, contact Cycle Tokyo! at least two weeks in advance to see if one of their cycling enthusiasts is available to lead a guided bicycle tour.

Image Credit: Flick, IMG_1360