Buying your bicycle
You've got three options for buying a bicycle in Japan, either at a store, online or second hand. It can vary in price from
6,000 yen to 60,000 yen
. People tend to look after their bikes well in Japan so the second-hand options can be a good, reasonably priced choice.
How do I rent a bike in Japan?
Generally, it costs around 150-200¥ per 30 minutes to rent, or a monthly membership for 2000¥ that includes the first 30 mins free for an unlimited number of times. It's simple– you don't need a special Docomo bike IC card, just
use your regular Suica or PASMO IC card to pay directly on the unit
.
Is Japan bike friendly?
With considerate drivers, great infrastructure, and a well connected network of roads,
Japan is a perfect destination for bicycle touring first-timers
.
How can I buy a bike in Japan?
- Shop online. The likes of Amazon, Rakuten and other Japan-based shopping portals have a selection of adult bicycles with prices starting from around ¥10,000. …
- Visit a bike shop. …
- Think local, shop social. …
- For new bicycles. …
- For used bicycles.
Where can I cycle in Japan?
- Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road.
- Biwa-Ichi Cycling Route.
- Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Ring-Ring Road/Lake Kasumigaura Circuit Course.
- Awaji Island.
- Miyakojima and Irabushima.
- Kibi Plain.
- Fuji Five Lakes.
- Asuka Village.
Do you need a license for a bicycle in Japan?
Neither your regular Japanese license nor your foreign motorcycle license will allow you to ride a bike in Japan
. You will need to get certified. Japanese law requires you to have a specific license for certain classes of motorbikes. For a 50cc engine (such as a scooter), a regular Japanese driving license is fine.
Is there a weight limit on bikes?
Bicycles do have weight limits
. But with so many different types, geometry, materials and parts used, it's impossible to standardise. Generally however, most bikes will have a weight limit of between 275 lbs and 300 lbs.
Can you bring bikes on trains in Japan?
In Japan,
traveling on the train with a bicycle is permitted, even on Shinkansen with no extra charge
. You can take a bike on any train at any time for free of charge if you store it in a bike bag called ‘Rinko bag' 輪行バッグ. Unless your bike is of the folding variety, you would have to remove the front wheel to do this.
How can I rent a bike in Tokyo?
Bicycle sharing and bicycle rental are becoming more common in Tokyo, with many hotels and private shops offering these services.
Make use of the community bicycle sharing scheme (pre-registration required) and rent a bike in Shibuya and Meguro, or explore the Okutama and Ome areas by bike
.
What is mamachari?
Mamachari are
bicycles from Japan
. They are made for riding around the city and are designed to be practical for things like riding to work, doing the shopping, taking the kids to nursery etc. Everyone's got a mamachari in Japan. Literally everyone. To say that they are ubiquitous is an understatement.
Is Japanese bike good for long ride?
Japanese Bike / Utility Bike
They are
low-maintenance and durable
. In city settings, they're ideal for people who just want a means of transportation to work for short distances and trips to the grocery. These are not designed to be ridden in hilly areas but are made for short distances.
Where is the most bike friendly city?
Despite its challenging hilly terrain,
San Francisco
was named America's most bicycle-friendly city in 2021, largely thanks to its extensive cycling community and favorable climate.
Do people cycle in Tokyo?
Tokyo is the best major city in the world for cycling
.
What bicycles do police use?
The bicycles are custom designed for law enforcement use. Many manufacturers of bicycles offer police models, including
Haro, Volcanic, Trek, Cannondale, Fuji, Safariland-Kona, Force, and KHS
. Other companies offer police, fire and EMS specific models. Many are equipped with a rear rack and bag to hold equipment.
Do I need bicycle insurance in Japan?
Is bicycle insurance required in Japan? As of April 2020,
the Tokyo Metropolitan Government requires all bicycle riders (including children) to enroll in bicycle liability insurance
. This insurance helps pay for any damage or injury to others in case you cause an accident while you are riding a bicycle.
How long does it take to cycle Japan?
Nihon isshu, the name used by cyclists for the journey along the length of Japan by bike, takes many routes and has no set pit stops. A journey from Aomori to the southern tip of Honshu takes
about a month to a month and a half
. Add two weeks to that estimate if you plan to include Hokkaido. And you won't be alone.
Can you bike across Japan?
It is a very cycling friendly route that connects Honshu to Shikoku along some small islands. There are cycling road markings along the entire way!
Intermediates can really cycle anywhere in Japan
! No need to worry about drinks or food.
Do you have to wear a bike helmet in Japan?
Currently
it is compulsory for all children under 13 to wear a helmet while cycling
, even if they are a passenger on an adults bicycle. Despite this you still see few children wearing helmets and even fewer police officers enforcing the law. Adults have no legal requirement to wear a helmet.
Is it illegal to ride double in Japan?
Children under 13 years old must always wear helmets when riding a bicycle. If you have children under this age, it is better to instruct them to wear helmets. Drunk bicycle riding is prohibited.
Riding double on a bicycle is also prohibited in Japan
.
How old do you have to be to ride a bike in Japan?
Depending on the vehicle, there are several Japanese age restrictions to take note of:
Motorbikes that are over 50cc~under 400cc are restricted to people aged 16 or older, while motorbikes over 400cc are for those aged 18 and over
. For ordinary vehicles, it is restricted to those aged 18 and above.
Is cycling in Japan safe?
Yet, despite the lack of infrastructure,
cycling in Japan is fairly safe
. An International Transport Forum discussion paper from 2018 shows that cyclist fatalities per 100 million kilometers cycled were around 0.8 in the Netherlands between 2011 to 2015.
Can a 300 pound person ride a bike?
The ideal bike for a 300-lb man should have strong and heavy steel frames, among other features to hold the person's weight
. However, it's not easy for overweight people to get the right bikes to support their weight. Normal bikes have a major problem of breaking over time.
Can a 400 pound person ride a bike?
What bike can hold 400 lbs?
Most Fat bikes can hold 400lbs
, Fat bikes are the perfect bike for people who want to add a bit of extra weight but don't want to sacrifice performance. They're also versatile enough that you can use them for all types of terrain, including roads and trails.
Can I ride a bike at 400 lbs?
Regular bikes don't work for people with Bicycle Weight Limit 400 lbs
, so we recommend heavyweight bicycles. Heavyweight bikes are specially designed for people above 400 lbs. They have harder steel frames and are much heavier, more robust and usually reinforced.
