Solo Sweets Ride
Combine Adventure With Culinary Delights
You are in for a treat! This tour is curated specifically for solo travelers with a sweet tooth and love of beautiful places! Explore Kyoto on bike while visiting tea gardens and quaint Japanese sweet shops loved by the locals.
Savor the historical past via wagashi (Japanese confectionary) shops in operation since the Meiji area (1968-1912), still proudly serving time-honored, beloved treats. Enjoy miniature works of art, meticulously crafted, using modern Japanese confectionery techniques, seasonal motifs and vibrant colors.
Soft pink cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant greenery in summer and stunning multi-colored autumn leaves—all witnessed via scenic bike paths--in an unforgettable way to explore Kyoto.
Tour Duration:
Half Day: 4 Hours | Full Day: 7 Hours
What You'll Do
Depending on your ideal pace, visit 2-5 tea houses while cycling leisurely thru Kyoto.
After selecting a bicycle and receiving an operation and safety orientation, our guides will ensure a deep seep into the world of Japanese tea by providing insight on the confectioneries, tea houses, gardens as well as their behind-the-scenes caretakers.
Allow us to efficiently maximize your time in Kyoto by safely navigating the best routes and times to visit each destination.
Thru this gentle cycle, your knowledge of Japanese tea culture and wagashi will grow while your taste buds rejoice!
Reference the sample Itinerary at the bottom of this page for more detail.
What's Included
☆ Bike rental fees
☆ Set menu price at tea houses
☆ Garden entry fees
☆ Bottled water
*The set menu entitlement is for one serving of dessert and one drink order per person per establishment
What's Not Included
☆ Any food or drink order that exceeds the entitlement
☆ Any separate purchases made by guests
Guest Requirements
☆ Guests are required to behave in a civil and respectable manner.
☆ Guests must be 13 years or older, at least 125cm in height, and able to ride a bike.
Activity Level
Medium - Participants should be able to ride a bicycle and be free from mobility restraints which may make cycling difficult.
Safety & Etiquette
Bicycle Basics, Safety & Etiquette
Ride Respectfully: Cycle on the left in Kyoto; Pedestrians always have priority.
Sidewalk Cycling: Allowed in many areas; Slow down near foot traffic.
Breaking Basics: Bicycles in Japan have two set of brakes, whose controls rest on the handlebars. Front wheel brakes are controlled by the right handlebar, while rear brakes are controlled by the left handlebar. It is encouraged to press each brake simultaneously with equal force when breaking.
Geared Bicycles: Feel free to switch gears until you find a gear that is comfortable for you. It is advisable to switch gears while in motion.
Bell Use: Practice restraint. It is advisable not ring the bell unless it is an emergency, as ringing the bell is considered rude.
Passing Pedestrians: If you wish to pass, cycle slowly from behind, say “Ushiro shi-tsu-rei-shimasu,” which means, "Please excuse me for approaching from behind,” then patiently wait for the person to let you pass.
Helmet Use: Helmets are are mandatory only for children aged 13 or younger.
Accessibility Level
Accessibility Level
Not suitable for children under 13 years of age, those with mobility restraints, those who cannot confidently ride a bicycle or those who do not follow road rules.
Dietary Restrictions
Dietary restrictions will be taken into consideration during the initial consultation to allow appropriate recommendations on where to eat. Kindly inform us of any dietary restrictions by making a note in the booking reservation when booking so that we may curate a suitable experience.
How To Order
1: Adjust the quantity to match the number of tour attendees. For example, if four people are attending, then the quantity should be set to 4.
2: Select desired date.
3: Add tour to cart.
4: Add any any desired Add-Ons to cart.
5: Check out to complete reservation. A Concierge will contact you shortly thereafter to confirm logistics and answer any questions.
Once confirmed, you will be sent a payment link. Payment is due within 24 hours of the link being sent and payment constitutes a placed order.
Cancellation Policy
Inclement Weather Cancellations:
As safety is paramount, we reserve the right to cancel tours due to inclement weather. In this case, a full refund will be given.
In the case of rain prior to the tour commencing, you will not be required to join via bicycle. We can advise on an on-foot tour as an alternative. If it begins to rain mid-tour, we cannot offer a refund.
Customer tour cancellations shall adhere to our normal Cancellation Policy:
16 Days or More Prior To Tour or Experience Start Date: No Cancellation Fee Levied; 100% of Order Amount Returned
15 days to 11 days Prior To Tour or Experience Start Date: 40% of Order Amount Reserved As Cancellation Fee; 60% of Order Amount Returned
10 days to 6 days Prior To Tour or Experience Start Date: 80% of Order Amount Reserved As Cancellation Fee; 20% of Order Amount Returned
5 Days or Less Prior To Tour or Experience Start Date: 100% of Order Amount Reserved As Cancellation Fee; 0% of Order Amount Returned
For more details, reference our Cancellation & Returns Policy.
Unfavorable Weather: This tour may not offered during the coldest or hottest times of the year. In this case, we can advise on an equally engaging on-foot tour. Inquire for more details.
Pairs well with
Tour capacity is limited to two participants
Select quantity (number of participants), date and time prior to adding to cart. The date and time is selectable from the "Select Date" button.
Solo Sweets Ride
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
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Customer Support
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FAQ’s
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Leisurely Lead
Take a slow and leisurely tree-lined cycle by the creeks and riversides and through the back streets of Kyoto. Allow us to lead you to gem after gem while experiencing the town like a local yet receiving Japanese omotenashi treatment as our special guest.
Treasured Textures
In Kyoto, sweets are not merely a simple indulgence but an aspect of cultural expression. Meticulously created to reflect the beauty of nature and the changing seasons, take a ride with us to savor not only the tastes but varying textures:
Chewy（もちもち、ぷるぷる）Items made with glutinous rice or kuzu have a chewy, or "mochi" consistency as it is described in Japanese. Examples include daifuku and warabi mochi, which are known for their elastic yet soft gelatinous mouthfeel.
Smooth & Dense（ねっとり、しっとり）A rich, almost creamy texture that glides on the tongue. Confectioneries featuring azuki beans or sweet potatoes have this melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Popular desserts include nerigiri and youkan, which also have a gelatin consistency, due to the agar used to set it.
Crisp & Melty（ほろほろ、ふんわり）These dry confectioneries often start off crisp and hard, then whimsically melt in the mouth. Rakugan is the most common. Made of rice, soy or barley flour mixed with a starchy syrup, these little treats are then pressed into a mold to give them a pretty appearance.
Crisp & Crunchy（かりかり、さくさく）More of a savory snack than a confectionery, these crisp and crunchy Japanese sweets are often deep fried to attain this satisfying consistency, then flavored with a mixture of plant and sea based seasonings. Rice crackers, called senbei and okaki are the most prominent.
How many can you devour?
From Past To Present
Witness the evolution of Japanese tea and wagashi in the very establishments that shaped their history and those that will set their futures.
Hidden Treasures
Veer off the beaten trail to find hidden treasures tucked amidst temples that even the locals have yet to visit!
Alternatively, request to dine at tea rooms that serve western desserts with a Japaneses flair. If it suits your palate, we are happy to guide you there!
Sample Itinerary
9AM
Meet Your Guide
Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting spot as provided in the tour confirmation e-mail. Alternatively, if you have selected the Personal Chauffeur option, you will be picked up at your accomodation.
9:15AM
Bicycle Pickup
We will begin the tour by picking up the rental bicycles and going on a test spin to ensure everyone is comfortable.
*Bike pictured may differ from actual rental.
9:30 AM
Scenic Route To Imperial Villa
We will bike thru the estate of former aristocrats and stroll thru a gardened tea house built in the late Edo period as a villa for tea ceremonies and poetry gatherings.
10:15 AM
Traditional Japanese Tea House
We will then take the scenic route to a sweets break at a traditional Japanese tea house.
11:15 AM
3rd Stop: Garden Tea House
On our way to an iconic tea house with the quintessential Japanese garden, we will cycle north of center city thru neighborhoods not served by public transportation while learning the charms of each place along the way.
12:00
Riverside Cycle
As we make room for more sweets, we will leisurely cycle along the river and enjoy nature while on our way to our final destination, a new tea house serving modern Japanese sweets and tea.
Pairs Well With
Riverside Picnic
As the ducks and herons play along the calm riverbanks, enjoy good food in a serene, riverside setting. We will take care of the setting and clean-up, allowing you to enjoy the river that flows through central Kyoto.
Savor the moment. Enjoy a boxed lunch picnic or Japanese sweets by the riverside.