Today, we’re joined by Yuki san at Discovery Bicycle Tours, who is inviting us to see Japan from a fresh perspective: on two wheels. With eco-friendly e-bikes and warm, knowledgeable guides, their tours take travelers to and beyond the usual sightseeing spots and into the everyday heart of places like Kyoto and Okinawa. Whether it’s cycling through Arashiyama’s bamboo groves at dawn, pedaling along Naha’s backstreets to hidden shrines, or ferrying out to a remote island for ocean views, these guided rides promise a balance of nature, history, and local life, an adventure that feels both effortless and unforgettable.
Join us in this exclusive interview to discover how a simple e-bike ride can reveal Japan’s everyday beauty and hidden corners.
Hi Yuki san, please start by introducing yourself and providing a brief overview of Discovery Bicycle Tours.
I’m Yuki Iwasaki from Kyoto, and I work as a local tour guide for Discovery Bicycle Tours Kyoto. I’ve studied abroad in Canada and Australia, and I’ve also traveled to Korea and the USA. Thanks to those experiences, I’ve been able to improve my English and now enjoy entertaining guests from around the world here in Kyoto.
I’m really happy that I get to meet so many amazing people looking for a unique experience in this city. Our motto at Discovery Bicycle Tours Kyoto is to “show the true colors of Kyoto,” so I always look forward to guiding guests to places that most tourists would never find on their own.
Yuki with three guests – Photo Credit: Discovery Bicycle Tours
What inspired you to get into bicycle tours?
To be honest, it was pure coincidence! Before this job, I worked as a filmmaker in Tokyo. I loved the creative work, but the industry’s demanding hours made me realize I needed a change. Looking back, those filmmaking years taught me how to craft a good story, and now I get to tell Kyoto’s stories instead, which feels just as rewarding.
I started searching for work where I could use my English skills and international experience, and that’s when Discovery Bicycle Tours found me and hired me as their first full-time guide in Kyoto. I still remember my boss saying I looked awesome when I spoke English!
What makes exploring Japan by bicycle different from just walking or taking trains? And what’s special about Discovery Bicycle Tours?
Kyoto has been investing heavily in cycling infrastructure; new bike lanes, rental stations, and even traffic signals timed for cyclists. But most tourists don’t realize this because Japan is so famous for its trains. Here’s the thing: bicycles are the secret route for avoiding rush hour and crowds. As someone who used to commute in Tokyo, I can tell you, I’m not a fan of rush hour. AT ALL.
On a bike, you move at the perfect pace to notice details you’d miss on a train, but you cover way more ground than walking. You can smell the incense drifting from temple gates, hear shopkeepers chatting in Kyoto-ben dialect, and stop whenever something catches your eye. It’s freedom with guidance.
Riding through a rural road in Kyoto – Photo Credit: Discovery Bicycle Tours
Could you give a brief introduction to your current list of tour locations? Also, do you offer any other services?
Absolutely! Our tours visit some of Kyoto’s most iconic spots, such as Nanzen-ji, Tenryu-ji, the Bamboo Grove, and Shinbashi Street. These are must-see places, but we also make sure to include lesser-known areas that can’t be reached by public transport or on foot.
For example, we sometimes stop by a small family farm in Arashiyama. There’s no sign, no tourists, just a farmer who’s been tending the same land for generations. Interestingly, many of my guests say they loved the farm even more than the Bamboo Grove! That’s how we choose our hidden spots: we ask ourselves, “Would this give our guests an authentic moment they’ll remember?” If the answer is yes, it makes the route.
Currently, we only offer guided bike tours in Kyoto, but we also provide bicycle rentals in Kobe, Yokohama, and Okinawa. So if you ever visit those areas, don’t forget to stop by and enjoy exploring by bike.
Next, could you tell us about your most popular tour and walk us through its course?
Our most popular tour is the Kyoto Cityscape Tour. We start from Kyoto Station and explore sites related to Japan’s modern era. Along the way, we pass through the Gion District, and that’s where the magic happens. You can literally feel yourself traveling between old and new Kyoto. One moment you’re pedaling past glass-fronted cafes with the hum of traffic, and the next you’re on a quiet stone pathway where geiko in traditional dress might slip past you into a teahouse. The air even changes; suddenly, you catch the faint scent of tatami mats and wood polish drifting from traditional machiya houses.
Our guides share fascinating stories about Kyoto’s history along the way, making what you see even more meaningful.
Guests posing for a photo in Arashiyama – Photo Credit: Discovery Bicycle Tours
Since your tours go beyond famous landmarks, what kinds of other hidden spots can guests expect to see?
We make sure our guests experience true hidden gems. I know the phrase is overused, but we take it seriously. That farm I mentioned in Arashiyama is a perfect example, peaceful, authentic, and full of charm. My personal favorite spot, though, is a tiny neighborhood shrine near Fushimi where locals gather every morning. There are no tour buses, no souvenir shops. Just a 300-year-old camphor tree, stone foxes guarding the entrance, and maybe an elderly woman leaving offerings of fresh rice. When I take guests there, I can see their shoulders relax. That’s when they realize they’ve stepped into real Kyoto.
Many travelers worry about fitness. Do guests need to be strong cyclists to join? Are they mostly families, solo travelers, or groups of friends?
Not at all! All our tours use e-bikes, so you don’t need to be a strong cyclist. As long as you can ride a bicycle, you’re welcome to join. I’ve guided everyone (Literally)! We also keep the groups small, so we can adjust the speed and pacing based on everyone’s comfort level. No one gets left behind, and no one feels rushed.
What’s something guests often say surprised them most about your tours?
We include one landmark I’ve never seen on any other tour in Kyoto: Mimizuka, or the “Ear Mound.” It’s a burial site where the ears and noses of Korean soldiers are said to be interred, a sobering reminder of a tragic chapter in East Asian history during the 16th-century invasions. It’s not an easy story to tell, but we believe in sharing the complete picture of Kyoto, both its beauty and its difficult past. Many guests tell me they appreciate honesty. History isn’t always comfortable, but understanding it helps us move forward with more compassion.
Four guests out in Kyoto’s countryside – Photo Credit: Discovery Bicycle Tours
Are there any newly planned courses in the works? Or locations that you’d like to be added in the future?
Yes! We’re designing a new tour in Uji where guests can trace matcha from tea fields to a teacup. Picture this: morning mist rising over terraced tea plantations, then sitting down to experience Fucha Ryori, a 400-year-old style of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine brought from China by Zen monks. It’s all about mindfulness, seasonal flavors, and the art of simplicity. I’m really excited about this one because Uji is where Japan’s tea culture truly began.
Finally, what’s the feeling you hope stays with guests long after the tour ends?
I hope they leave with a sense of discovery, not just of Kyoto’s scenery, but of its people, stories, and hidden corners. Kyoto is full of beauty, both famous and forgotten. If my guests leave with a smile and a deeper understanding of this city, and maybe a new friend in me, then I’ve done my job.
Thank you, Yuki san, for joining us and giving us a peek behind the scenes of Discovery Bicycle Tours. This is more than cycling; it’s a chance to uncover hidden gems, connect with local life, and see Japan in a new light. Whether it’s quiet backstreets in Naha or the early-morning beauty of Arashiyama, there’s always something memorable waiting. Next time you’re in Kyoto or Okinawa, grab an e-bike, follow a guide, and enjoy discovering Japan at your own pace.
Read more about Discovery Bicycle Tours on:
Website: https://discovery-tours.jp/en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discovery_bicycle_tours/
Feature photo credit: Discovery Bicycle Tours
